Filmmaker Rob Stewart's family files wrongful death lawsuit

[Wookie]

There were only 2 divers on the dive? Please, tell us more.

 

[AZNetEng]

I posted about this earlier... Rob's family is very wealthy. I am not aware of Rob having a spouse or dependents. This isn't about money I don't think. It's about fixing the problems that led to Rob's death.

If the investigation was concluded and a problem had been identified that needed to be fixed I would agree. That hasn't happened yet. It may not be money motivated, but it isn't about fixing a problem. At least not yet.

 

[bmbeaty]

If the investigation was concluded and a problem had been identified that needed to be fixed I would agree. That hasn't happened yet. It may not be money motivated, but it isn't about fixing a problem. At least not yet.

It actually very likely could be about fixing a problem- from their perspective. They lost their son, and the natural reaction is to go after the responsible party. It seems they sincerely believe Peter Sotis, Horizon Divers, etc are responsible regardless of whether or not that's actually the case.

 

[Cowfish Aesthetic]

If the investigation was concluded and a problem had been identified that needed to be fixed I would agree. That hasn't happened yet.

Let's not make the mistake of assuming that the family has only the limited information that we have.

 

[AZNetEng]

Let's not make the mistake of assuming that the family has only the limited information that we have.

That is certainly a possibility and one that I hadn't considered thinking only in terms of the "official" investigation. Perhaps they might even have a glimpse into the status of that investigation?

For those that have been involved in incidents similar to this, would the family be made privy to parts of the investigation as it went?

 

[AZNetEng]

It actually very likely could be about fixing a problem- from their perspective. They lost their son, and the natural reaction is to go after the responsible party. It seems they sincerely believe Peter Sotis, Horizon Divers, etc are responsible regardless of whether or not that's actually the case.

I understand the motivation. Had it been my son I cannot say I would not be doing the same thing. But... I want to know what the problem is before I try and fix it. As Cowfish said above, perhaps the family has more info than we do.

 

[jadairiii]

.... Another piece of evidence that they might bring up is the fact that IANTD belatedly created this standard, which indicates that they do not think 3 such dives are safe.....

Generally, that would not be admissible as evidence in trial. (seem to remember that from law school) Courts encourage individuals and corp.'s to take steps to correct a "problem" and allowing that into evidence would be a chilling effect on that practice. Doesn't mean that might not get into evidence in some other way but, as stated, generally it would be kept out.

We, as a society, want things to be safer, does not mean earlier practices weren't "safe", but it can always be made safer.

 

[oldschoolto]

That is certainly a possibility and one that I hadn't considered thinking only in terms of the "official" investigation. Perhaps they might even have a glimpse into the status of that investigation?

For those that have been involved in incidents similar to this, would the family be made privy to parts of the investigation as it went?

NO......

 

[The Chairman]

It occurs to me, if you are the plaintiff attorney and looking for a quick cost-of-litigation settlement,

Yeah. I don't believe that's what they're after either. Money is not the issue here: justice is.

A couple of questions. If Sotis is claiming he was not on the boat in a professional capacity, do his agency and their insurance have cause to abandon him? Apparently, he's filed for bankruptcy, so where is he going to get cash to pay for a lawyer at this point? The Libyans?

 

[Cowfish Aesthetic]

Yeah. I don't believe that's what they're after either. Money is not the issue here: justice is.

A couple of questions. If Sotis is claiming he was not on the boat in a professional capacity, do his agency and their insurance have cause to abandon him? Apparently, he's filed for bankruptcy, so where is he going to get cash to pay for a lawyer at this point? The Libyans?

That would depend on a lot of things we (I, at least) don't know, like what insurance policies he has and what the terms of those policies are. I'm sure it's something the insurance company will be taking a hard look at.