On February 11, 2024, a Thriller Miami speedboat tour vessel operating near Bayside Marketplace in Miami-Dade County collided with a charter boat in one of the most widely covered boating accidents in recent South Florida history. Twenty-nine people were injured. Thirteen were transported to the hospital by ambulance. At least one was airlifted to a Level 1 trauma center.Mausner Group was among the first law firms on the scene. We filed suit on behalf of our clients and were featured in news coverage of the litigation. One of our clients on board captured the collision on video -- footage that went viral on social media and was featured across major South Florida news outlets. We ultimately represented six of the twenty-one total claimants who participated in a global mediation -- and recovered for every one of them.The injuries our clients sustained were severe. Among those we represented, the collision caused a sacral fracture, rib fractures, multiple cervical and lumbar disc herniations, a broken clavicle, a pelvic fracture, shoulder tears requiring potential surgery, complex knee tears including meniscus and ligament damage, and foot injuries. One client lost consciousness at the moment of impact.Liability was clear. Thriller Miami failed to maintain a proper lookout, failed to keep a safe distance, failed to avoid a collision, and was operating at reckless speed in waters near one of Miami-Dade County’s busiest waterfront destinations. The on-board video left no room for dispute. The case resolved at global mediation. The settlement amount is confidential.
We moved first. Mausner Group was among the first firms to file suit in this case. Early filing meant early preservation of evidence -- including the critical on-board video footage captured by one of our clients at the moment of impact.We handled a complex multi-claimant matter with precision. With twenty-one total claimants across multiple law firms at global mediation, we represented six clients with varying injuries and built individual damage cases for each while participating in the collective resolution process.We established maritime negligence on solid ground. The speedboat vessel violated clear maritime duties -- maintaining a proper lookout, operating at a safe speed, and avoiding collisions. The on-board video made those violations impossible to deny.
