Houston Jury Renders 1.2 Million Dollar Verdict in Jones Act case

Houston Federal Court Jury Renders 1.2 Million Dollar Verdict In Jones Act case Posted on March 9, 2007 Last week, a Houston Federal District Court jury returned a 1.2 million dollar verdict against New York based Penn Maritime in a Jones Act injury case. The Jones Act seaman was injured while working on a Penn Maritime barge. While cleaning the bulkhead, he slipped on a defective stool and injured his back and neck. He brought claims for maintenance and cure, negligence, and unseaworthiness against Penn Maritime. Penn Maritime denied all the allegations, refused to pay maintenance and cure, and claimed that the injured Jones Act seaman essentially made up the incident, even though he reported it immediately in accordance with all company policies and procedures. Penn Maritime did not offer a reasonable settlement, so the injured Jones Act seaman was forced to trial. After a five day trial, the jury rejected Penn Martime's defenses and issued a 1.2 million dollar verdict, finding Penn Maritime 50% responsible for the incident. The jury awarded full maintenance and cure as well as significant pain and suffering and economic damages. The case was handled by Kurt Arnold, Jason Itkin, and Brian Beckcom. To learn more about this case, please contact Kurt Arnold or Jason Itkin at Arnold & Itkin or Brian Beckcom at Vujasinovic & Beckcom, toll free 877.724.7800.