Trial Magazine

Doe was swimming near a public beach where a watersports company rented wave runners and paddleboards and offered boating excursions. While Doe was in the water, he was hit by a passing boater. Doe suffered catastrophic injuries and died several hours later. He is survived by his wife, who witnessed the incident.

Claims against the boater alleged liability for striking Doe. The boater settled for $500,000 before suit was filed.

Suit against the watersports company alleged that it failed to set its buoys at a safe distance from shore, which drew the boater too close to the public swim area while traveling at a high rate of speed. Plaintiff counsel asserted that the boater’s GPS data showed that the buoys were closer to the shore than local ordinances permitted. The placement of the buoys also confused the boater, suit alleged.

The parties settled for $3.75 million.

Citation: Doe v. Roe, Confidential Dkt. No. (Confidential Jxn., Ct., and Date).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members Pedro Echarte and Michael Haggard, both of Coral Gables, Fla.