ORLANDO -- A family is suing a resort and vessel owners after their fishing trip went awry.
Peter and Christine Biondi, individually and as parents and natural guardians of G.B, J.B. and S.B., minors, filed a complaint on August 12 in Orange County Circuit Court against the Westin St. John Resort and Villas and Offshore Adventures, LLC d/b/a Mixed Bag Sportsfishing for negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
On April 17, 2019, Plaintiffs and their minor children proceeded to the dock area of the resort where they boarded the fishing vessel Mix Bag for what was supposed to be a fun day of fishing off the southern point of St. John Island.
As the fishing vessel Mix Bag was approximately five nautical miles south of St. John Island, there was a loud explosion. Shortly after hearing the loud blast, black smoke began emanating from the engine room, which quickly began filling up with fire and smoke, the suit says.
As the situation began to escalate, the plaintiffs and crew were forced to abandon the vessel and board a life raft. As the plaintiffs sat terrified the lifeboat, the burning fishing vessel Mix Bag kept running in circles, narrowly missing the lifeboat several times, the suit says.
As a result of the incident, the plaintiffs allegedly suffered great, psychological trauma, psychological scarring, and physical injury.
The Biondis seek judgment for all damages mentally, emotionally and physically that were caused by the incident. The Biondis are represented by Jason R. Margulies of Lipcon, Margulies and Winkleman, P.A.
Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit in and for Orange County, Florida filing number 132582732