A tragic incident involving a defective personal watercraft has led to a significant legal battle in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. On July 3, 2024, Danny G. Lauer and Patrice A. Mulqueen filed a complaint against Bombardier Recreational Products Inc., alleging that design flaws in their Sea-Doo watercraft led to the drowning death of their daughter, Lorena Lauer.
The plaintiffs, represented by Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law, P.C., claim that on July 7, 2022, Lorena Lauer was acting as a spotter on a 2014 Sea-Doo GTI SE 130 when she fell into the water after the vehicle hit a wave. Due to an alleged defective design, her hair was pulled into the water intake system and became entangled in the impeller drive shaft, trapping her underwater and causing her to drown before bystanders could rescue her. The plaintiffs argue that Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. knew or should have known about these risks but failed to take necessary precautions or provide adequate warnings.
According to the complaint, Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. is accused of multiple counts including negligence/recklessness, product liability (strict liability), breach of implied warranty of merchantability, wrongful death, and survival action. The plaintiffs assert that BRP's failure to include essential safety features such as a drive shaft guard/cover and proper warning labels directly contributed to Lorena’s untimely death. They emphasize that Ms. Lauer used the Sea-Doo in an intended and foreseeable manner at Camp Pocono Trails in Reeders, Pennsylvania.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages exceeding $75,000 for each count from Bombardier Recreational Products Inc., arguing that the company prioritized profits over consumer safety by neglecting critical design improvements and failing to warn users about potential hazards associated with their products.
The case is being overseen by Judge JKM under Case ID 3:24-cv-01104-JKM. The plaintiffs' legal representation is led by Brian C. Corcoran from Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law, P.C.