Posted: Fri, 28 May 2010 02:16 PM - 12,334 Readers

By: theLog

A federal jury has ordered marine engine and boat builder Brunswick Corp. to pay $3.8 million to a man who lost part of his leg after it came in contact with a sterndrive propeller on Lake Austin.

Jurors determined April 5 that Brunswick was partially liable for the 2005 injury to Jacob Brochtrup, who was 18 when he lost part of his leg while wakeboarding with friends behind a 17.5-foot Sea Ray boat equipped with a 135 hp MerCruiser sterndrive. 

Brochtrup said he had jumped into the water to grab a tow line when the driver put the boat in reverse. The propeller caught the top of Brochtrup’s right leg. 

The lawsuit claimed Brunswick did not have safety devices, including guards and covers, to prevent Brochtrup from becoming tangled or stuck in the spinning propeller. 

Brunswick officials said in a statement that they are sympathetic to Brochtrup but “stand behind our products, which are used safely and properly by boaters around the world.” 

The company said it has filed an appeal. 

Brochtrup’s attorney, Robby Alden, said the verdict marks the first successful case against the boating industry by a person injured by a motor. A 2002 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court allowed such cases to go forward, and boat makers had prevailed in two similar lawsuits involving older-model boats.