Expand / Collapse search
☰
Cold Weather Advisory
until TUE 12:00 PM CST, Kenosha County
3
Cold Weather Advisory
until MON 12:00 PM CST, Kane County, La Salle County, Southern Cook County, DuPage County, DeKalb County, Lake County, Eastern Will County, Grundy County, Northern Cook County, Kendall County, Southern Will County, Northern Will County, Kankakee County, Central Cook County, McHenry County, Porter County, Jasper County, Lake County, Newton County
Cold Weather Advisory
from MON 9:00 PM CST until TUE 12:00 PM CST, Grundy County, Southern Will County, Kane County, Eastern Will County, Southern Cook County, Kankakee County, Northern Cook County, DeKalb County, La Salle County, DuPage County, Kendall County, Lake County, McHenry County, Northern Will County, Central Cook County, Newton County, Lake County, Porter County, Jasper County

Lawsuit filed against Chicago rental company, boat captain who ran over 2 women in Lake Michigan's 'Playpen'

By and FOX 32 Digital Staff
Updated  December 22, 2022 9:49pm CST
Chicago
FOX 32 Chicago

Lawsuit filed against Chicago rental company, boat captain who ran over 2 women in Lake Michigan's 'Playpen'

A lawsuit was filed against a Chicago boat rental company, its owner and a boat captain after two women were run over and maimed in Lake Michigan this August.

CHICAGO - A lawsuit was filed against a Chicago boat rental company, its owner and a boat captain after two women were run over and maimed in Lake Michigan this August. 

Earlier this year, a Chicago woman underwent a double amputation of her legs after she was struck by and sucked into the propellors of a rental boat while enjoying a summer day in Lake Michigan's "Playpen," a popular boating destination. 

Lana Batochir, 34, was floating on a raft behind the boat with another woman who also was severely injured. 

The lawsuit was filed in Cook County Circuit Court on Wednesday, and it names Chicago Aqualeisure, LLC, which rented out the boat that struck Batochir, Theresa Tran, Chicago Aqualeisure’s owner, and Joseph Neverauskas, the boat’s operator and captain, as defendants.

Woman has feet severed, another loses hand in Chicago 'Playpen' boat accident

There are still a lot of questions after a gruesome boat accident over the weekend in what's known as Chicago’s "Playpen."

The lawsuit alleges Neverauskas failed to maintain proper lookout and was speeding when the boat he was operating rammed into Lana and that Chicago Aqualeisure failed to provide him with adequate training and instruction, in addition to failing to provide him with a seaworthy boat.

Batochir is being represented by Corboy & Demetrio Attorneys Thomas A. Demetrio, Francis Patrick Murphy, and Michael D. Ditore.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE FOX 32 YOUTUBE CHANNEL

"Lana’s catastrophic injuries were entirely preventable and happened because of the defendants’ actions and inactions," Ditore said.

"Lana, a young, vibrant mother of two children, is permanently disfigured; she suffered and still suffers excruciating pain; and she has a long, long rehabilitation in front of her. She will never be able to walk again without prosthetics. Lana’s bravery, strength and determination despite her enormous loss is inspiring. She’s a remarkable person," Ditore added.

Batochir is a wife and mother of two, and what started as a fun August day in the Playpen turned into tragedy.

"Her attitude is: I did not die. I'm so grateful that I'm alive. I can be a mother to my children. I'm going to have Christmas with my family," said Murphy. "That attitude, that bravery and determination is something that is very inspiring."

The amount of money the lawsuit seeks is yet to be determined. Her lawyer expects the case to go to a jury trial some time in 2023 or - at the latest - early 2024.

Batochir attorneys say she has had multiple surgeries and is undergoing physical and occupational therapy at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab.

The full complaint is below:

ChicagoNews