Family Of Victim Of Lake George Tour Boat Capsize Files Suit Against Engine And Pump Manufacturers,
Kreindler & Kreindler Attorney Cites Defects in 2005 Tragedy
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ALBANY, NY, June 30 - Kreindler & Kreindler LLP today filed a wrongful death lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York on behalf of the family of Marjorie Perry, who died in the Ethan Allen tour boat capsize on October 2, 2005. The suit asserts that negligence by the manufacturers of the boat engine and pumps contributed to the tragedy. Also, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released today factual information on the capsizing of the boat, which killed 20 passengers in upstate New York, demonstrating how a chain of events can lead to catastrophic results.
"We believe the Ethan Allen capsizing was caused in part by alterations to its structure that made it 'top heavy,' an excessive passenger load, and a build-up of bilge water that contributed to the boat's instability," explained Daniel Rose, a partner at Kreindler & Kreindler LLP, a Manhattan-based maritime and aviation law firm. "The Ethan Allen sailed that day with free-standing bilge water we believe was caused by a defect with the engine cooling pump. The already overcrowded boat did not have an automatic bilge pump and the captain failed to properly operate the pump they did have."
The law suit on behalf of the family of Ms. Perry, age 77, who had lived in Michigan, names the manufacturers of the boat engine, Cummins Mercruiser Diesel Marine LLC, and pump, Hypro LLC, as defendants, along with boat operator, Shoreline Cruises, Inc.; Richard Paris, the Ethan Allen's captain; and Scarano Boat Building Inc., the maintainer and modifier of the Ethan Allen.
The suit, Douglas G. Perry v. Shoreline Cruise, Inc, et al, alleges that negligence by the tour boat operators, boat captains, boat maintainer and engine and pump manufacturers contributed to the capsizing of the Ethan Allen and seeks $10 million for Ms. Perry's wrongful death and $2.5 million for her pain and suffering.
Mr. Rose said, "Ms. Perry endured severe pre-death physical pain and mental anguish, fear of impending death, and severe physical injuries that caused her death."
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Daniel Rose focuses on maritime and aviation litigation. Kreindler & Kreindler LLP recently won a significant maritime victory in the United States Supreme Court on behalf of the widow of a Lockheed Martin engineer who drowned while working on nearby Lake Cayuga in 2000.
Kreindler & Kreindler LLP ( www.kreindler.com), based in New York, is the leading law firm representing plaintiffs in the United States and around the world in aircraft accident cases and other complex litigation matters involving aviation, maritime vessels, products liability, auto, train and other transportation accidents.
To view a copy of the complaint click here.
