Pali Beach Club to Pay Woman Over $10M After Son Dies From Heat Exhaustion

Jury renders verdict to Santa Monica mother of William M. Keck III

By Sam Catanzaro

A Santa Monica woman will receive over $10 million from a Pacific Palisades beach club after her 48-year-old son died from heat exhaustion during a 2017 paddle tennis tournament. 

On Monday, November 25 a Santa Monica jury rendered a $12 million verdict to Katherine “Kitty” Keck of Santa Monica, the mother of 48-year-old William M. Keck III of Marina Del Rey, who suffered from fatal heat exhaustion at the Bel-Air Bay Club in Pacific Palisades. 

According to Gina Fernandes, Director of Public Relations for Juris Productions in a press release sent on behalf of the plaintiffs, Keck III died from a heart arrhythmia caused by elevated potassium due to heat exhaustion on September 3, 2017. His mother Kitty sued the Bel-Air Bay Club claiming the staff failed to call 911 or administer proper first aid for over three hours after Keck began showing signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion.

 “Safety was a big factor that was ignored and my son would still be alive if someone had just called for help,” said Kitty Keck. “It’s always better to be safe than sorry,” added Keck.  

During the two-week trial, Keck’s attorneys argued the Club employees owed a duty of care to Keck to recognize his symptoms, his worsening condition and to get him medical aid sooner. 

 “This case was about the stunning lack of training and negligence that caused a tragic death that could have been prevented,” said lead plaintiff attorney Bruce Broillet. “We hope this verdict sends a message to other athletic facilities and clubs to take heat exhaustion seriously,” he added. 

 According to Fernandes, Keck III had been playing paddle tennis at a tournament on a “hot and humid” day. 

Bel-Air Bay Club. Photo: Wendy Anderson/Archives

“Around 1:30 pm he started cramping and asked a locker room attendant to massage his calf.  The cramps persisted and worsened over the next few hours while the locker room attendant continued to massage Keck III. The cramping spread and he continued to sweat in the hot and humid locker room in spite of receiving water and Gatorade. No one from the Club one called 911 until he started having difficulty breathing at 4:57 p.m. The paramedics arrived four minutes later to find Keck turning blue. The Club had procedures requiring a call to 911 for heat exhaustion that was not followed for more than three hours. Keck III died at the hospital at 5:56 pm,” Fernandes said. 

 Keck III is the son of the late William M. Keck II. He was a commercial real estate broker and on the board of the W.M. Keck Foundation and the William M. Keck Jr. Foundation. The W.M. Keck Foundation is best known for its support of the Keck School of Medicine of USC, the Keck Telescopes in Hawaii and the support of Sesame Street on KCET. In addition, the William M. Keck, Jr. Foundation has supported the Venice Family Clinic, the Midnight Mission and Meals on Wheels among other southern California organizations. Keck was responsible for grants from both Foundations to the 1736 Family Crisis Center, the People Concern, and CRE Outreach for Theatre by the Blind.

The jury found that Ms. Keck had suffered $15 million in damages for the loss of the love and affection of her son but also determined that the Club was 80-percent at fault for Keck’s death which reduces the award to $12 million. 

Palisades News has reached out to the Bel-Air Bay Club for comment but they did not respond at the time of publishing. 

in News
Related Posts

Celebrate With Creative Cocktails and Wine Wednesday at Two of the Westside’s Most Cozy Restaurants

September 18, 2024

September 18, 2024

Enjoy Ronan Restaurant’s Negroni-inspired drinks and Quaff Fine Wine at Hank’s  Ronan, a restaurant located at 7315 Melrose Ave, is...

SMPD Seek Public Help in Homicide Investigation

September 18, 2024

September 18, 2024

They are particularly interested in exterior building surveillance video and dash cam recordings  Santa Monica Police are investigating a homicide...

‘A Must-See’: Light in the Piazza Comes to Broad Stage for One Night Musical

September 18, 2024

September 18, 2024

By Susan Payne An intimate story of contemporary and timeless romance produced by the Musical Theatre Guild is coming to...

Getty Villa Hosting Tour of Ancient Egyptian Sculpted Portraits

September 18, 2024

September 18, 2024

The 30-Minute Tours Will Continue Through November 18 The Getty Villa is offering daily tours of its new exhibition Sculpted...

Event Update: Pups Without Borders Hosts Dog Adoption Event in Brentwood This Saturday

September 17, 2024

September 17, 2024

Olympians Anita Alvarez, Daniella Ramires, and Nick Atkin to Participate in Adoption Event Pups Without Borders, a dog rescue organization,...

PNC Board Member Kyle McAuley Accused of Assault at Board of Neighborhood Councils Commission Meeting

September 17, 2024

September 17, 2024

Update: PNC President Needed Medical Treatment, Statement from McAuley, Journalists William Gude, the journalist who confronted City Attorney Hydee Feldstein-Soto...

Homeless Man Enters Woman’s Home, Exposes Himself While She Sleeps

September 17, 2024

September 17, 2024

The Suspect’s Criminal Record Includes Trespassing, Drug Possession, Battery on a Peace Officer and Carrying a Concealed Weapon Santa Monica...

PCH Reduced to One Lane Overnight in Palisades Through Friday

September 16, 2024

September 16, 2024

Motorists are advised to expect delays Starting Monday, Sept. 16, Pacific Coast Highway will be reduced to one lane in...

SMMUSD Makes Key Agreements in Separation Efforts With Malibu

September 16, 2024

September 16, 2024

This Marks a Significant Milestone Toward the Goal of Dividing the School District The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD)...

Canal Attack Suspect Sentenced to Life Without Parole

September 16, 2024

September 16, 2024

His charges included murder with special circumstances, two counts of rape, and sexual penetration by force Anthony Francisco Jones was...

Bear Spotted in Palisades Country Estates: Report

September 15, 2024

September 15, 2024

Two separate videos captured the bear rummaging through trash A bear was spotted scavenging for food in the Pacific Palisades...

Shooting Suspect Held on $4 Million Bail After Attempted Murder Arrest

September 13, 2024

September 13, 2024

The Shooting Left a 24-Year-Old Man Seriously Injured A Van Nuys man is being held on more than $4 million...

Students Gain Global Perspective Rooted in Service at Marymount

September 13, 2024

September 13, 2024

By Susan Payne  Tradition meets innovation at Marymount, an all-girl Catholic independent high school in Los Angeles. As a Religious...

(Video) Thrilling Rides, Arcade Games and Family Fun Happening at Pacific Park in Santa Monica

September 13, 2024

September 13, 2024

Go to https://pacpark.com for more information @palisadesnews For more info, go to https://pacpark.com #santamonica #losangeles#california #amusementpark #rollercoaster #fyp ♬ original...

Palisades Charter, Brentwood, Beverly Hills Hit the Field for Friday Night Football Games

September 12, 2024

September 12, 2024

Westside High School Football: Where to Stream the Friday Night Showdowns High school football is back, and several Westside teams...