Admiralty / Maritime

The following are representative of successful results achieved by our Admiralty / Maritime Practice Group on behalf of marine underwriters, vessel owners, and other marine-related individuals and entities:

Jones Act And Wrongful Death Claims
Defended vessel owner and London underwriter in Jones Act seaman claim involving serious head injuries resulting in brain damage. Trial and appeal up to Michigan Supreme Court, resulting in judgment of no liability in favor of vessel owner.

Defended barge cleaning company sued in Iowa federal court under Jones Act by seriously injured employee who fell into hold of barge during cleaning. Aggressive discovery developed evidence which undermined the plaintiff’s claim of “seaman” status and exposed substantial comparative negligence, leading to structured settlement in terms very favorable to our client.

Represented shipowner in defense of claim by crewmember seriously burned in boat explosion of Lake Michigan. After carefully planned discovery, motion for summary judgment was granted by Illinois federal court in favor of owner.

Defended foreign shipowner in longshoreman death case in Wisconsin federal court where damages sought in excess of $1 million. A jury verdict was obtained in favor of the shipowner and was subsequently affirmed on appeal.

Represented shipowner in Jones Act claim of worker who suffered serious back injury. Case proceeded through trial in Michigan federal court where a jury verdict of no liability was obtained in favor of shipowner.

Represented pleasure boat owner in defense of wrongful death claim after passenger fell overboard and drowned. Judgment rendered in favor of boat owner following trial and was affirmed on appeal.

Cargo Claims And Property Loss

Represented salvage company sued for unsuccessful attempt to raise sunken vessel after collision. Vessel owner claimed that the majority of damage to the vessel was caused during salvage operation, not the collision. Demonstrated at trial with expert testimony and photographic evidence that the most severe structural damage caused by original accident, resulting in very favorable settlement just prior to jury’s verdict.

Defended towing company after tow collided with bridge. Successful resolution resulted after establishing that substantial portion of damages claimed actually arose from previous, unrelated incidents and that improper maintenance of bridge negligently contributed to cause collision.

Defended vessel owner in $750,000 steel cargo claim. After completion of critical discovery of surveyors, case settled with respect to liability and damage issues to which our client contributed minimally.

Represented salvage company sued for unsuccessful attempt to raise sunken vessel after collision. Vessel owner claimed that the majority of damage to the vessel was caused during salvage operation, not the collision. Demonstrated at trial with expert testimony and photographic evidence that the most severe structural damage caused by original accident, resulting in very favorable settlement just prior to jury’s verdict. Defended towing company after tow collided with bridge. Successful resolution resulted after establishing that substantial portion of damages claimed actually arose from previous, unrelated incidents and that improper maintenance of bridge negligently contributed to cause collision. Defended vessel owner in $750,000 steel cargo claim. After completion of critical discovery of surveyors, case settled with respect to liability and damage issues to which our client contributed minimally.

Marine Insurance Coverage

Represented marine underwriter in coverage dispute and bad faith claim brought against underwriter and broker. Damages in excess of $1 million plus punitive damages were sought in Alaskan federal court, where juries recently returned several multi-million dollar punitive damage awards against insurers. Aggressive case preparation and convincing arguments on complex legal issues resulted in resolution of case on very advantageous terms.

Represented insurer in multi-million dollar coverage dispute over loss of Chilean grapes shipment to the United States, claimed to have been laced with cyanide by terrorists. After strategic discovery and successful motions on certain key coverage issues, case settled in an amount highly favorable to the insurer.

Represented marine insurer in coverage dispute involving fire damage to pleasure boat valued at $1 million. Insured argued vessel was a total loss, which was disputed. Based upon aggressive discovery of repair experts and surveyors, case won based upon motion for summary judgment in favor of insurer and subsequently affirmed on appeal.

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