One of the crew members to survive the boat that caught fire and killed 34 people on a scuba diving trip off the coast from Santa Barbara, has sued the vessel's owners.
Ryan Sims, who was seriously injured escaping from the Labor Day disaster, argues in the lawsuit that the owner's safety preparations came up in short in several ways.
He alleges they failed to properly train crew members, didn't provide adequate safety and medical equipment and lacked safety rules.
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His lawsuit is the first to be filed in the aftermath of the Conception's destruction and sinking.
Sims may also be a witness in lawsuits that are expected to be brought by family members of the victims against the owners, said Steven Clark, KCBS Radio's legal analyst.
"You will see in very short order the victims' families will now seek a lawsuit in court and get this process moving, because they clearly have someone who has a lot of information," said Clark.
Sims was one of five crew members who slept on the deck when the fire ignited. He broke his leg in three places, jumping down into the water to flee the flames.