Attorney George P. Surmaitis Helps Get Rescue-at-Sea Documentary Off the Ground
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) June 03, 2016 -- More than 35 years ago, a group of 62 refugees hid in the cargo hold of a decrepit 30-foot fishing boat in an effort to escape the severe communist regime in Vietnam. Many of these refugees, known as the “boat people,” were part of a mass exodus from Vietnam following the war, and many perished at sea. However, some, including Lauren Vuong, survived. In 1980, Vuong, then 7, survived a hurricane-like storm in the South China Sea along with the 61 other Vietnamese refugees after Captain Hartmann Schonn (deceased) and his shipmates spotted the boat carrying Vuong, her parents, including her father who was an artillery captain in the South Vietnamese Army, siblingsand the other refugees.
“There are everyday heroes like this that can change lives by taking risks and serving others,” said workers’ compensation attorney George P. Surmaitis, who recently donated to a GoFundMe campaign to help finance a documentary about this story. “In this case, Vuong, after learning Schonn had passed away, continued her search for other officers and crew members present at her rescue. She tracked down some of these heroes more than 35 years later and reunited with the people who saved her life.”
Vuong, now 43 and married with children, like Surmaitis is a workers’ compensation litigator in California. Vuong recently flew to Lakeland, FL, with her parents, children and husband to reunite with George Overstreet (successor to Schonn), Douglas Torborg (Master of USNS Sealift Antarctic) and Don McLendon (Chief Engineer).
“I am proud to be a part of those helping to finance the documentary that will honor the bravery of Captain Schonn and his crew of heroes, as well as the challenges Vuong and the other refugees overcame during their 10-day ordeal at sea,” said Surmaitis. “As a workers’ compensation attorney, this story reminds me of many of our clients who have also had to face and overcome catastrophic loss in order to care for their families and move forward in their lives, which makes them heroes in our eyes.”
About George P. Surmaitis
George P. Surmaitis, of A Professional Law Corporation, is a trial-tested attorney with more than 20 years of experience. He is experienced in workers’ compensation, Social Security Disability and third-party personal injury claims, allowing for the overall best outcome for his clients. Mr. Surmaitis and his staff will handle your claim with the utmost care and attention to detail, and provide you with personal, attentive service throughout the legal process. For more information or a free consultation, please call (800) 645-3275, or visit http://www.workinjury-disability.com. The offices are located at 333 Gellert Blvd., Suite 215, Daly City, CA 94015.
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