Titanic victims’ families want $50 million compensation for one-way trip to the deep sea
The family of Paul-Henri Nargeolet has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against OceanGate for gross negligence. Nargeolet, a French explorer often referred to as “Mr. Titanic” because he visited the infamous sunken ocean liner more than 35 times and had expertise on the ship, was one of five people who died when the OceanGate submarine Titan sank. exploded catastrophically last year.
Nargeolet was in a unique position compared to three other passengers because of his experience descending 12,500 feet to the wreck of the Titanic. The Buzbee Law Firm, lawyers for his estate, said the Frenchman would not have participated if OceanGate had been more transparent about the status of its operations, according to US News and World ReportThe company said in a statement:
“The lawsuit further alleges that although Nargeolet was designated by OceanGate as a member of the ship’s crew, many details of the ship’s flaws and defects were not disclosed and were intentionally concealed.”
While many in the small world of deep-sea exploration have always had concerns about the Titan’s design, those flaws have thrust into the limelight after the disaster. The submarine’s carbon fiber composites were destined to fail at ocean depths. The Titan’s predecessor prototype was lost in the waters off Seattle and must navigate through iPhone. Not to mention, the entire game is controlled using a third-party video game controller.
