WVEC image of a man’s arm entrapped in DuoProp as example of how Angelopolous’ legs were entrapped

The rescue involved a total of 71 people who were recognized in a proclamation.

The young girl’s father, Konstantinos N. Angelopoulos, filed a $30 million suit in Norfolk Circuit Court (Virginia) naming the boat operator, Grady-White, Norfolk Marine Company (boat dealer), and Volvo Penta of the America’s as defendants. An amended complaint was filed on 11 July 2014.

UPDATE – A settlement has been reached in the case. The Court is scheduled to review and approve it at 2pm 8 February 2016 per the Norfolk Circuit Court’s schedule.

Among issues are if a neutral indicator light on the boat said it was in neutral when it was not.

On 20 August 2014, that suit was moved to U.S. District Court to consider Jones Act and maritime jurisdiction issues (marine companies try to claim they are only liable for the value of the vessel and its contents if the accident occurred in navigable waters).

A.E.A. an infant, by Konstantinos N. Angelopoulos, her natural parent and next friend
v.
Volvo Penta of the Americas, LLC,
Grady-White Boats, Inc.
Norfolk Marine Company,
Richard S. Harris, and
John Does 1-50.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virgina, Norfolk Division.
Civil Action No. 2:14-cv-425

The Plaintiff moved to remand (send the case back) to the original court. When Volvo Penta saw they were loosing their original claims for being in Federal Court, they tried to stand on the 1971 Boating Safety Act. Volvo Penta said they plaintiff’s complaint implicated that act and thus the case should be tried in Federal Court. The court cited Sprietsma v. Mercury Marine (the famous propeller cased that ended federal preemption) as showing the U.S. Supreme Court showing the Federal Boat and Safety Act of 1971 does not preempt common law claims. In addition the court found Plaintiff’s amended complaint does not implicate the Act.

On 9 January 2015, the case was ordered to be remanded back to Norfolk Circuit Court. The case was reinstated as CL 14004909-01 on 14 January 2015.

Per Norfolk Circuit Court records the case began conferencing 5 May 2015.

A pre trial conference is now being held (19-25 January 2016).

A ten day Jury trial is scheduled to begin February 1st, 2016.

Deborah Waters is representing the Angelopoulos family, James E. Bridges Jr. is representing Volvo Penta of the Americas, and C. Wiley Grandy is representing Grady-White.

Its a little late now, but we have about 25 news reports digitally captured at the time of the accident. Those reports include numerous still photos and videos of the rescue in progress. If the case drags on, they might be useful.