Family of Man Who Died in Titan Sub Implosion Files $50 Million Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Paul-Henri Nargeolet was one of the five people who died onboard the vessel during its voyage to the Titanic wreck.
The family of one of the five people killed aboard the OceanGate submersible last year has filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit.
According to the Associated Press, the family of French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet is seeking $50 million from the company that operated the experimental Titan submersible, which imploded on June 18, 2023. Nargeolet, 77, was among the five victims, including OceanGate co-founder Stockton Rush, British businessman Hamish Harding, Pakistani-British businessman Shahzada Dawood, and Shahzada's 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood.
Nargeolet was known as "Mr. Titanic" for his extensive experience with at least 37 visits to the Titanic site. The lawsuit, filed by attorneys at Buzbee Law, alleges that OceanGate failed to disclose the submersible's "troubled history" and concealed critical information about its flaws and shortcomings.
"The lawsuit further alleges that even though Nargeolet had been designated by OceanGate to be a member of the crew of the vessel, many of the particulars about the vessel’s flaws and shortcomings were not disclosed and were purposely concealed," the firm added.
Attorney Tony Buzbee, representing Nargeolet's family, stated that he hopes the lawsuit will provide answers about how the tragedy occurred and who was responsible. OceanGate has not yet responded to the lawsuit.
Nargeolet first voyaged to the Titanic wreck in 1987, two years after its discovery 370 miles southeast of Newfoundland in the North Atlantic Ocean
"Decedent Nargeolet may have died doing what he loved to do, but his death—and the deaths of the other Titan crew members—was wrongful,” reads the lawsuit.
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The story of the Titanic tourist submersible operated by OceanGate dominated news cycles last year after the vessel lost contact with its mother ship less than two hours into its voyage. An extensive search effort ensued, and less than a week later, the U.S. Coast Guard discovered debris from the submersible.