Huge Jury Award Against Mailbu Boats

[GeeBee]

Jury awards $200 million to family of boy killed in Georgia boating accident

The family of a 7-year-old boy killed in a boating accident in 2014 has been awarded $200 million.

www.wsbtv.com

I have to say, I rented this model about 8 years ago at Sunnyside on Lake Tahoe and I had two adults up front, and I moved them to the back because I was uncomfortable with the boat's freeboard and handling. I think the "unguarded propeller" thing is a little specious, but based on my observations, the boat does not handle well when used as intended.

 

[PascalG]

It’s probably going to get drastically reduced on appeal.

how stupid. They place 75% of the blame of the operator but still award $200m.

 

[GeeBee]

I would guess it would be reduced, however the 120 million punitive leaves me to wonder if the jury heard that the boat had adverse handling qualities and Malibu knew it.

 

[boatbum]

So this is a V8 powered, bowriding ski boat? But, was the operator the lessor of the boat or, the renter? Given the settlement I am saying the jury felt the company did not explain the limitations to the people renting the boat. IMHO, they should have looked over the renter and said to themselves this is not going to work.

 

[getakey]

I owned a 2000 Malibu bow rider ski boat. Not that model. Mine was a direct drive. I've also driven other older ski boats both closed and bow riders. Every ski boat I've driven was easily subject to the bow getting washed over at low speeds unless you had experience. The more modern ones not so much as they have much deeper hulls due to being designed more for wake boarding than skiing.