April 09, 2010

What kind of impact will this recent case have?

This past Monday a federal jury found Brunswick Corp. partially liable for an accident that took place in 2005 in Texas where a propeller had severed a teen’s leg. According to news releases, the suit alleged that the boat and motor did not provide safety devices including guards or covers to prevent the teen from becoming entangled. Brunswick was then ordered to pay $3.8 million in medical expenses and damages. This is the first case in which a company within the marine industry was found liable for injury to a person by a propeller. What kind of impact will this case have given that the vast majority of boats are powered by engines? Does this set a precedent for future cases?

Posted by ribcraftusa at April 9, 2010 02:20 PM