Maritime Law Used to Rescue Water Accident Plaintiffs

October 3, 2012

Los Angeles Daily Journal

Following is an excerpt from a Daily Journal article in which Guy R. Gruppie is quoted on the use of federal maritime law to lower the standard of proof required for personal watercraft accident litigation.

Defense attorney Guy R. Gruppie of Murchison & Cumming LLP said he finds the strategy intriguing, though he noted that it can work only when the accident occurs on a true navigable waterway. Gruppie, a litigator, said this is not the first time he has seen the navigable waterway come up in a case, but he said he has never seen maritime law used in this manner.

"I have to tip my hat and say, 'That's creative,'" he said. "They are obviously doing what they are thinking is best in the zealous representation of their clients. These incidents and accidents tend not to be minor. I can understand how important it is on the plaintiffs' side to try to get as much [insurance] coverage as possible."