California Maritime Lawyer Files 'Cowboying' Lawsuit

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Nov 23, 2010, 09:50 ET

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- A California Maritime Lawyer from The Turley Law Firm, APLC, recently filed a Jones Act lawsuit in San Diego Superior Court against Star & Crescent Boat Company and San Diego Harbor Excursion. Defendants own a fleet of vessels operated in San Diego Harbor and the Pacific Ocean.

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The San Diego Harbor Excursion vessels are used for San Diego harbor tours, San Diego whale watching tours, San Diego charter luxury yachts and San Diego water taxis. Plaintiff was a maintenance worker who worked aboard the San Diego tourist vessels.

The Complaint alleges Plaintiff Jose Alcaraz was an employee of San Diego Harbor Excursion and he was a Jones Act Seaman. Alcaraz was severely injured aboard a work skiff owned by Defendants. Another crew member was operating the skiff on San Diego Harbor in a manner that was too fast for the conditions. Instead of slowing down for a Coast Guard Cutter's large wakes, the operator increased the speed. The boat slammed down hard over each large ship wake. "Cowboying," in effect.

Plaintiff, a passenger on the work skiff, launched into the air. He was severely injured as he repeatedly slammed into the deck. "Boat operators 'cowboying' over wakes and swells is an all too frequent cause of serious injury to boat passengers," notes California boating accident lawyer, Bill Turley.

Under the Inland Navigational Rules, a vessel operator has to maintain a proper lookout and not operate at a speed too fast for the conditions. "When boat operators 'cowboy' they are needlessly risking injury to passengers," according to California Maritime Lawyer Bill Turley. "Time and again, we see passengers needlessly injured by a 'X Games', 'watch this' mentality," he adds. "This time the cowboying was on a work vessel. This happens just as often with weekend recreational boaters," the San Diego boating accident lawyer explains.

Bill has been a San Diego Maritime Attorney since 1987. He is a leading California Jones Act Lawyer. He was elected President of Consumer Attorneys of San Diego and elected to the Board of Governors of the Consumer Attorneys of California. CAOC's acclaimed Forum Magazine has published two Jones Act articles written by Bill Turley and Dave Mara this year. The Turley Law Firm website is the most comprehensive California boating accident attorney website and comprehensive California Jones Act Attorney website.