Ron Fox and Greg Erickson defended Jones Act and unseaworthiness allegations of a deckhand employed by U.S. United Barge Line in a case tried before United States District Judge Michael Reagan in East St. Louis, Illinois. Plaintiff claimed two separate incidents while building tow involving shoulder and hand injuries. His medical included two shoulder surgeries. Plaintiff was 26 years old at the time of trial. Plaintiff claimed total disability and damages of $3,820,581.04, plus punitive damages in the amount of $1,000,000 regarding maintenance and cure. In the Court’s recent decision, U.S. United Barge Line won on all counts. The Court found no negligence and no unseaworthiness. The Court also found that the plaintiff failed to use reasonable care for his own safety despite plaintiff’s proper safety training by U.S. United. Finally, the Court ruled that the plaintiff’s version of the incidents were not credible. This is the second defense judgment attained by Messrs. Fox and Erickson on behalf of U.S. United Barge Line in East St. Louis federal court. The Court’s Opinion can be found here.
Fox Smith attains Jones Act defense judgment in East St. Louis Federal Court
- Fox Smith