Boat manufacturer sued over steering system; Plaintiffs injured after crashing into beam

GRETNA – A boat manufacturer and associated companies are being sued by a number of passengers who allege they were riding in a boat when its steering failed and they collided head-on with a support underneath the Causeway Bridge.

Patricia D. Schneider; John L. Schneider; Brett J. Schneider, individually and on behalf his minor child; and Tiffany Schneider Eagles, individually and on behalf of her minor children, filed suit against Seastar Solutions, Seaquest Marine, Dagate’s Marine Inc., Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A. and Minnekota Power Cooperative Inc. in the 24th Judicial District Court on March 9.

The plaintiffs claim that on Feb. 9, 2006 they were all riding on a boat in Lake Pontchartrain that John L. Schneider had purchased from Dagate’s that had been manufactured by SeaQuest. The Schneiders allege that as they were riding on the lake the steering system on the boat failed causing the vessel to collide head on into a bridge support underneath the Causeway Bridge. The plaintiffs contend Patricia D. Schneider struck her head in the incident and as a result has suffered permanent traumatic brain damage and one of the children in the boat was thrown from the vessel into the water.

The defendant is accused of negligence and product liability.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for personal injury, mental pain and anguish, medical expenses, lost earnings, loss of earning capacity, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of consortium.

The plaintiffs are represented by David J. Schexnaydre of Mandeville-based Schexnaydre Law Firm.

The case has been assigned to Division A Judge Raymond S. Steib Jr.

Case no. 747-488.