First frivolous lawsuit hits over duck boat tragedy

The first possible frivolous lawsuit over the duck boat tragedy has been filed. A man who worked on the Branson Belle river showboat when the Ride the Ducks boat sank on Table Rock Lake in Branson is suing for emotional and physical damages.

Greg Harris jumped in the water from the nearby showboat to help rescue passengers from the capsized Duck Boat July 19.

The lawsuit claims Harris suffered emotional distress and physical injury, as a result of his experience.

It notes Harris pulled four survivors out of the water and one person who had drowned.

The suit alleges the Duck Boat should not have been on the water, pointing to past incidents involving Duck Boats.

The court document names three defendants. Operator Ride The Ducks International, LLC, owner Ripley Entertainment Inc. and the boat’s captain are accused of negligence.

Harris is also suing for emotional distress and punitive damages. He claims he had to quit his job at the Branson Belle.

17 of the 31 people on board the Duck Boat died when it sank on the evening of July 19.

The lawsuit continues a trend in recent years as people who offer to assist when tragedy strikes later sue for damages. Most of these lawsuits are later dismissed.