Case Details
- Result: $5,000,000 jury verdict (confidential post-trial settlement)
- Court: Orange County
- Defendant: Bombardier (Sea-Doo Personal Watercraft Manufacturer)
- Type of Case: Product Defect — Off-Throttle Steering and Negligent Dock Design
- Outcome: Wrongful Death to Minor
Case Summary
A $5 million jury verdict was returned against Bombardier following the death of a minor who was struck on a dock by a Sea-Doo personal watercraft. The Sea-Doo was unable to make a turn after the operator released the throttle, due to the same off-throttle steering defect that has injured riders and bystanders nationwide. The case combined two theories of liability — the watercraft’s off-throttle steering defect and negligent dock design — to establish full accountability for the avoidable tragedy.