Family of Titan Submersible Victim Sues OceanGate for Wrongful Death

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Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a renowned French explorer with an unparalleled knowledge of the Titanic, lost his life along with four others when the Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, catastrophically imploded during a mission to explore the wreckage of the Titanic. This devastating incident, which occurred last year, has now led to a wrongful-death lawsuit being filed against OceanGate by Nargeolet's family, accusing the company of gross negligence and deceptive practices.

 

Nargeolet, often referred to as "Mr. Titanic" for his extensive expertise and contributions to the study of the sunken ship, was a key figure in the mission organized by OceanGate, a company based in Washington State specializing in deep-sea exploration. His role was pivotal, as his deep understanding of the Titanic's resting place made him an invaluable asset to the expedition. However, according to the lawsuit recently filed in King County, Washington, Nargeolet was misled by OceanGate and its founder, Richard Stockton Rush III, regarding the safety and construction of the submersible that ultimately led to his untimely death.

 

 

The lawsuit claims that Mr. Rush, who was also on board the Titan and perished in the implosion, had admitted to a "mission specialist" on a previous Titanic voyage that the carbon fiber used in the construction of the Titan was obtained at a substantial discount from Boeing, as it was past its shelf life for use in airplanes. This revelation, if true, casts a dark shadow over the integrity of the submersible's design and construction, raising serious questions about the decisions made by OceanGate in pursuit of their ambitious deep-sea endeavors.

 

Furthermore, the lawsuit accuses Mr. Rush of a litany of negligent actions, including the false promotion of a "crackling noise" as an advanced safety feature meant to alert the crew to abort the mission if necessary. The lawsuit argues that this sound, rather than being a sophisticated safety mechanism, was in fact a dire warning of a potential imminent failure in the carbon fiber hull—a signal that was tragically ignored.

 

This legal action, which is the first to be filed against OceanGate in connection with the implosion, is seeking more than $50 million in damages. The lawsuit not only targets OceanGate but also implicates Mr. Rush's widow, an employee of OceanGate, and four businesses that allegedly played a role in the manufacturing of the submersible.

 

As of now, representatives for OceanGate, Mr. Rush's widow, and the other defendants have not responded to requests for comment. The company, meanwhile, has announced on its website that it has "suspended all exploration and commercial operations," a move that reflects the severity of the situation and the growing scrutiny surrounding the incident.

 

The Nargeolet family, whose grief has been compounded by the circumstances of the disaster, has not yet made any public statements. The loss they have suffered is immeasurable, both emotionally and financially, as outlined in the lawsuit. The document details the substantial emotional distress and financial damages inflicted upon the family by Nargeolet's death, emphasizing the profound impact it has had on their lives.

 

The events leading up to the Titan's fateful descent on June 18, 2023, are described in the lawsuit with chilling detail. Roughly 90 minutes after the submersible and its crew of five began their journey into the depths of the North Atlantic, where the Titanic lies at rest, the vessel abruptly dropped its weights—a clear indication that the mission had been aborted. However, by then, it was already too late. The immense pressure of the ocean's depths caused the submersible's carbon fiber and titanium body to implode, killing everyone on board. While the exact cause of the implosion remains under investigation, the lawsuit suggests that the combination of outdated materials and flawed design may have been critical factors.

 

In addition to Nargeolet and Rush, the disaster claimed the lives of Hamish Harding, Suleman Dawood, and his father, Shahzada Dawood. The tragedy has sparked a broader conversation within the deep-sea exploration community about the need for stricter international regulations to prevent such incidents from happening again. Many experts are now advocating for the closing of regulatory loopholes that allowed OceanGate to bypass voluntary safety certifications that are typically used to mitigate the substantial risks associated with deep-sea diving.

 

The lawsuit also sheds light on the warnings that were reportedly dismissed by Mr. Rush in the years leading up to the disaster. Since as early as 2018, concerns had been raised about the submersible's unconventional design and the potential dangers it posed. These warnings, however, were allegedly ignored, with Mr. Rush continuing to push forward with his vision despite the mounting risks.

One of the most alarming aspects of the lawsuit is the claim that the crew members were required to sign a waiver before entering the Titan submersible, acknowledging the possibility of death during the mission. However, the lawsuit argues that this waiver was "insufficient" and failed to fully disclose the extent of the risks involved. It contends that the crew may have been unaware of just how precarious their situation was until it was too late.

 

The legal battle that has now begun is not just about seeking financial compensation for the loss of Paul-Henri Nargeolet, but also about uncovering the truth behind the tragedy. "Common sense dictates that the crew were well aware they were going to die, before dying," the lawsuit states, highlighting the harrowing reality that the victims likely faced in their final moments.

 

Tony Buzbee, one of the attorneys representing the Nargeolet family, expressed the family's desire for answers. "We are hopeful that through this lawsuit we can get answers for the family as to exactly how this happened, who all were involved, and how those involved could allow this to happen," he said in a statement. The lawsuit aims to provide the family with a clearer understanding of the events that led to their loved one's death and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

 

As the case progresses, it is likely to draw significant attention, not only because of the high-profile nature of the tragedy but also due to the broader implications it could have for the deep-sea exploration industry. The lawsuit may prompt a reevaluation of safety standards and practices within the industry, potentially leading to more stringent regulations and oversight to prevent similar disasters in the future.

For the family of Paul-Henri Nargeolet, the lawsuit represents a crucial step in their quest for justice.

 

While no legal action can bring back their loved one, they hope that by holding OceanGate accountable, they can ensure that no other family has to endure the same heartache and loss that they have experienced. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching consequences, not just for those directly involved, but for the entire field of ocean exploration.

 

Credit: NYT  2024-08-09

 

 

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[Tug]

Meh…..so some wealthy romantic Darwin Award winners wanted to look at a pile of scrap metal in deep water…..that’s dangerous and just bragging rights for a reward …not such a good idea it seems.not a good reason to risk one’s life im my humble opinion.

[Cryingdick]

Everybody must have had to sign a disclaimer to do this. 

[stevenl]

When will someone involved in these suits just state the truth 'it's all about the money'.

[mfd101]

My recollection (I may be wrong) is that there were plenty of warnings BEFORE the fatal journey that the vessel was not safe ...

[jcmj]

I’m sure they must have known the risk and the reward of their dive. Not for the faint of heart. 

[nauseus]

11 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

Everybody must have had to sign a disclaimer to do this. 

 

Exactly.

[spidermike007]

The Nargeolet family are highly deluded people. Multiple experts had spoken out long in advance about the lack of safety protocols, the questionable materials being used for the submersible, and the techniques used to develop it, along with the lack of research on the vessel. 

 

It was an accident waiting to happen, the carbon fiber that they used for the skin had never been tested in those kind of depths, and the level of risk was off the Richter scale.