Family of man saved by fired lifeguard threatening lawsuit - Fox29 WFLX TV, West Palm Beach, Florida-

Family of man saved by fired lifeguard threatening lawsuit

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HALLENDALE, FL (WFLX) - You may recall the Hallandale lifeguard, fired for rescuing a man outside a designated swimming area. Now, the family of the victim is threatening legal action.

The Samartsev family has no intentions of filing suit against Tomas Zopez, the hero lifeguard.   They say Maksim Samartsev continues to recover from the near-drowning and is being examined by a neurologist.

A family lawyer says certain areas along Hallandale Beach are unmonitored and could be dangerous. "This is one of the more populated areas, that they see the need for lifeguards just north and just south of it," said Eric Ansel, Samartsev's attorney.

The city says lifeguards are at all public beaches and can make rescues outside the boundaries; however, Tomas Lopez was fired for doing just that.

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