Naya Rivera’s estate and her family reached a global settlement in the wrongful-death lawsuit over her 2020 drowning at Lake Piru. The settlement was announced in early March 2022 and was reported as subject to Ventura County Superior Court approval on March 16. The amount was not disclosed, and the sources available here do not establish whether the court ultimately approved it.
What the settlement covered
The case concerned Rivera’s drowning at Lake Piru in Ventura County, California. In November 2020, Rivera’s estate and her ex-husband, Ryan Dorsey, filed a wrongful-death complaint. Dorsey brought the claim on behalf of their son, Josey Hollis Dorsey. The defendants identified in the Los Angeles Times report were Ventura County, a boat rental company, and United Water Conservation District, which oversees Lake Piru.
In early March 2022, a lawyer for Rivera’s estate announced that all parties had reached a global settlement. The Los Angeles Times reported that the agreement was subject to Ventura County Superior Court approval on March 16, 2022. E! News separately reported that the settlement had been filed on February 24, with approval pending. Neither report establishes that the court issued a final approval order.
What the lawsuit alleged
The complaint alleged that the defendants failed to warn Rivera about swimming dangers and failed to provide adequate safety equipment on the rented pontoon boat. Those claims were allegations in the lawsuit, not findings of fault after a trial.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- Bound in Hardcover; 144 Pages
- Dimensions: 7.45 x 1.23 x 9.37 Inches
The Los Angeles Times also reported that the coroner’s report described an adult-sized life vest on a bench seat behind the boat’s driving area and said Josey was wearing a life vest when he was found. That context is relevant to the equipment allegations, but it does not by itself resolve the claims made in the complaint.
Was the settlement amount made public?
No amount was disclosed in the Los Angeles Times report on the agreement. The report quoted estate attorney Amjad M. Khan saying the monetary settlement would significantly assist Josey as he moved forward. Figures repeated elsewhere without a reliable source should not be treated as confirmed terms of this settlement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Did Rivera’s family win the lawsuit?
The parties settled the wrongful-death litigation rather than receiving a reported verdict after trial. The announcement described the agreement as subject to court approval, and the Los Angeles Times and E! News reports cited here do not verify the court’s ultimate disposition. It is therefore accurate to say the family and estate reached a settlement, but not to describe it as a final court judgment or claim that a particular court order was entered.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
