Jacksonville attorney files second El Faro lawsuit

Oct. 19--Jacksonville attorney Steve Pajcic will file a lawsuit in state court Monday related to the sinking of the El Faro.

This is the second lawsuit filed against the El Faro's owners since the ship sank on its fateful journey from Jacksonville to Puerto Rico.

Third mate Jeremie Riehm's widow, Tina Riehm, filed the lawsuit on behalf of his estate.

Last week, Willie Gary, a Stuart attorney, sued on behalf of crew member Lonnie Jordan. Gary said he's seeking $100 million in damages. Pajcic said he never asks for a specific amount.

"It would be misleading to our client and the public to suggest an unrealistic amount," Pajcic said. "The Riehm family's loss is immeasurable; no amount of money would ever replace Jeremie."

Gary's lawsuit also named the captain, Michael Davidson, who also died on the El Faro. Wrongful-death lawsuits usually can't seek money from deceased people, though they can sue the person's estate. Pajcic's lawsuit doesn't name Davidson or his estate.

"There is nothing to be gained from that but more heartache for people who have suffered way too much," Pajcic said.

Pajcic leads the downtown law firm Pajcic and Pajcic, and he previously served as a state legislator and he ran as the Democratic nominee for governor in 1986.

The nearly 800-foot cargo ship left Jacksonville for San Juan, Puerto Rico, as Tropical Storm Joaquin developed until it became a devastating hurricane that ripped through islands and up the Atlantic coast.

Pajcic called the 40-year-old ship "a piece of junk," saying it wasn't capable of making the journey from Jacksonville to Puerto Rico.

The ship's engine died, and it started to tilt 15 degrees. Ship owner, TOTE Maritime, lost contact with the ship and its crew of 33 on Oct. 1.

Weather forecasters say where the ship last sent a distress signal the storm brought forth waves as high as 50 feet and wind as fast as 140 miles per hour.

The Coast Guard gave up hope and stopped searching for survivors six days after the ship went missing.

Pajcic said he hopes the lawsuits are settled. The ship's insurance should immediately offer the amount the El Faro was insured for, he said. Then the company should supplement that amount.

"I am shocked that TOTE and Sea Star and their insurance companies have not already at a minimum offered up all their insurance," Pajcic said. "Instead [parent company] Saltchuk and TOTE have set up a charity account and asked the public to accept responsibility for their guilt."

For more information, check Jacksonville.com throughout the day or purchase Tuesday's edition of The Florida Times-Union.

Andrew Pantazi: (904) 359-4310

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