I read the case file and it is pretty convincing. I agree the racers accept a certain amount of risk when entering a competition and at first I thought it was a BS lawsuit. However there should have been a higher level of response to the incident with professionals knowing what to do which appeared to be lacking at the time of the incident. You really need to read the case file with an open mind.

I understand it's a civil suit. Most "breach of contracts" are civil suits and laws are broken. THat's why it's called a legal/enforceable contract. There are "civil laws" Criminal laws, and Common laws. Whatever type of "law" it s, it must be enforceable and be broken to be a valid "law" suit. Or it's frivolous and troughed out. Being stupid and an idiot is not "unlawful". Otherwise we would have 1000 times more lawyers then the too many we already have.
BTW, one of the "complaints' is the Gratton was forced to sign the "agreement". How? I like to see that proven. + how can some one "tell the future" as stated in the docs as SBI/Carbonell should know certain "outcome" of the race. There are races with no incidents and races with several. One more point. How can some one put a $ amount on a life? (with all due respect to the Grattons) Only a few mil? Deduction: The case is unwinnable, so a low $ is set, settlement is planned. If a high $ is set, and no win, attorney will get zilch. A low (and I think this is low) is set to get a quick settlement. The attorney sold a bag of goods to the family. But again, it's just my .02

Jup... thats military training, an entirely different world. You have the entire internet before you, try and find a civilian dive rescue from a crashed offshore cat class and certification program.

Greiving family still has two in the game ,you would think she w0ould be a little sqeemish after the " accident "

what happens to martin and p-1 after they mishap?

this about an old grudge and and money .

the whole thing sucks and is very unfortunate..... what makes it worse is insurance companies are going to stop writing policies for the events... therefore the events are slowly going to either disappear or nobodys going to want to step up and organize any of the events..... due to the fact of getting sued...

Not that I like SBI I don't ! But I have never heard of industry standards for turns on a race course. I have personally raced Key West on many occasions and had my fair share of accidents there in both open cockpits and closed cockpit cats and the only person responsible for me was me and my crewmate! I mean no disrespect to the family but I knew Joey and He knew what was what. I just hate that it comes down to this . It should have never happened but that is why they call it an accident.

Did any of the helicopter divers jump into the water to try to rescue?

Have there been any or many deaths in v hulls while racing?

Dear Mr. Jupiter Sunsation.Just to let you know how much your opion affects SBI races. We have NEVER, EVER stopped a race for an accident on the race coarse. An acident does not warrant that the race be Stopped. If you have ever been in a race you would know that. Also Mike Haugh has not missed a single race as a rescue diver before and after the accident. And will be a rescue diver for SBI for the 2015 season. . And just because he makes his living as a tattoo artist does not have any affect on his diving ability. And just another point to clear up. JOHN CARBONELL Does not tell ANY rescue personnel what to do during the race.. It is ALL handled on the race course by the people that are on site. Usually Angel 1 . Just in case you don't think I know what I'm talking about. I am the person that is almost always by Carbonell side during the races. And was by his side and on the radio during the race in Question.

According to the 66 page legal complaint the angel divers in the helicopters never even got in the water that day and every passing boat wake put more water in the cockpit essentially drowning Joey Gratton........still glad you "NEVER, EVER stopped a race for an accident on the race coarse?"

In my "opion" SBI has nothing to be proud of if their racers are dying especially if the deaths are preventable.