Maritime Death Lawsuit Shows How Recklessness in Dangerous High Seas Caused Untimely Death

New Haven, CT (Law Firm Newswire) April 12, 2012 – A recent wrongful death lawsuit shows how treacherous the high seas can be and how those who are responsible for a boat must be cautious about navigating unsafe waters.

In Speranza vs. Stew Leonard, Robert Speranza lost his life as the defendants of Stew’s Special powerboat went from Saint Maarten to the U.S. Virgin Islands on August 16, 2011. Speranza was from Westport, Connecticut.

In the years after his death, Barbara Speranza has had to deal with the loss, pain, and suffering of her husband that was once the owner of the Ocean Club resort in St. Maarten. He also was a NASA engineer and designed parts for Apollo 13 and F-16 fighter jets.

The lawsuit alleges that the boat’s crew should have not been on the waters that day due to a small craft advisory. The boat was also going too fast in the difficult seas due to bad weather conditions. Robert was tossed around on the boat, suffered severe spinal and head injuries, and was ejected into the Caribbean Sea because of their recklessness and carelessness.

“Punitive damages are being sought because this is a senseless tragedy that they must be punished for,” said Connecticut wrongful death attorney Joel T. Faxon, who is representing Barbara Speranza. “She has lost his love, consortium, and services and the Stew Leonard defendants should have known to not be out in the sea that day.”

Stewart “Stew” Leonard, Sr., a grocery store owner and convicted felon, owns the 70-foot, multimillion-dollar powerboat. The case also charges his son Thomas P. Leonard and Leonard Sr.’s company Carpe Diem Three, LLC. Speranza died near the island of Tortola, where waves went from normal levels to five to six feet high to more than 12 feet high, according to news reports.

To learn more, visit the Connecticut personal injury law firm at http://www.strattonfaxon.com.

Stratton Faxon
59 Elm Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Call: 203.624.9500

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