Sorry MTPhillips that you didn't get the money you were hoping for. Since its been four months since the last posting on this thread, apparently no lawyers could be found that had any hope of a big payday.
Landing on the floats or arresting the descent a few feet above the water is a distiction without much difference. Engines redlined? Temp? Torque? N1? N2? Nr? What? Keep in mind the C+ has soft limiting. That no exceedences were recorded means just that. And damages? Not to the aircraft - look at the picture.