Category Archives: Recreation

Cruise Ship Passenger Drowning Case

I. Facts:  1. In December , Mrs. Ls (age 55), accompanied by daughters He (age 28), Fh (age 34), Es and other family members departed Miami on the  Cruise Ship Vr for a cruise which included the Cayman Islands. 2. After departing port the ship’s staff hosted an excursion scheduling and safety presentation. Passe...
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Recent Trial Appearances- 2012

David S. Smith, Ph.D Commander, USCG (RET)   Trial Appearances- 2012     Mervilde, John W:Meils Thompson Dietz & Berish Two Market Square Center, Suite 830 Indianapolis, IN 46204   Re: Phifer v. Smith(child drowning in camp pool) Tried Jan ‘12,                   ...
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Tubing accident case

I. Facts: 1. At approximately 7 PM on June 24, on Beye Lake, a collision occurred between a 23.5 foot, 2004 model  Rinker Captiva motor boat and a tube/tuber being pulled by an 18.5 foot, 1993 Marada motor boat. The Captiva was being operated by Ht; the Marada by Hg. Ms. Rn, being towed behind the Marada was injured in ...
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Diving C-spine injury case

I. Facts: 1. On July 11, 12 year old Je  broke his neck in a diving injury which took place in a back yard, above ground pool at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. De. At the time of the incident Je weighed approximately 190 pounds and was almost 6' tall. 2. Around 4:30 PM on the date of the accident, Je was at his ...
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Boat collision reconstruction

This is a somewhat typical boat collision reconstruction case which went to trial resulting in a plaintiff verdict. As with several other cases, I constructed scale models of the vessels involved for use at deposition and in court. This case also required the use of a scale figure of the operator of the jon boat to indi...
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Lifeguarding negligence case

In this case the lifeguards are clearly negligent in not properly observing the pool and not responding to requests for assistance from the patrons. I. Facts: 1. On 11/19, at approximately 1030 PM, 15 year old As died from drowning in the pool at Central Church. 2. As was a participant in an outing sponsored by Ce ...
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Low head dam case

This is a case involving a water craft crossing over a low head dam. I. Facts: 1. At approximately 1530 hours on April 27,  a 14’ Cub Aluminum, John type rowboat carrying three occupants, Wk, Dh and Rh was carried over the crest of a low head dam at mile 271, Lg River, near the town of Se. The boat capsized in the ...
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