$7,000,000 Featured Verdict Awarded in Maritime Injury Case

Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC was honored to be highlighted by ALM as the Featured Verdict on a recent case. Working with Andrews Buchsbaum in New York, Stacey & Jacobsen secured a $7,000,000 verdict for a permanently injured oiler in the featured case, Goss v. Sealift Inc., No. 1:19-cv-05123-CLP (E.D.N.Y. 2024). This case addresses maritime law, issues of workplace safety, employer negligence, the unseaworthiness of a vessel and its procedures, and the rights of seamen under U.S. law.

Jay Goss, an oiler employed by Sealift Inc., sustained a severe injury while performing his duties. Mr. Goss was ordered by his supervisor to lift a heavy and awkward platform by himself, an act that led to significant and life-long physical damage, even when safety equipment was nearby. Mr. Goss subsequently filed a lawsuit against Sealift Inc., asserting that the company’s negligence and the vessel’s unseaworthiness directly contributed to his injury.

The trial lasted four days and discussed several key issues central to maritime law:

Negligence: Mr. Goss demonstrated that Sealift Inc. failed to provide a safe working environment. Under the Jones Act, employers are liable for injuries resulting from their negligence, even if it only partly contributes to the injury.

Unseaworthiness: Mr. Goss also proved that the vessel and its procedures were unseaworthy, meaning it was not fit for its intended use, thereby placing Mr. Goss and the crew at risk. The doctrine of unseaworthiness holds shipowners strictly liable for injuries caused by such conditions.

After four days of hearing detailed evidence and arguments, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Mr. Goss, awarding him $7,000,000 for his pain and suffering. No monetary compensation will ever be enough to make up for time lost, pain endured, and career ended. However, the team at Stacey and Jacobsen, PLLC was proud to fight for Jay and achieve this verdict. The Stacey & Jacobsen Team was led by partner Nigel T. Stacey with assistance from partner James P. Jacobsen.

When accidents happen, it is important that an investigation begin immediately. What were the circumstances before the injury occurred? The lawyers at Stacey and Jacobsen, PLLC are some of the most experienced attorneys in the nation and work closely with industry experts to investigate the causes of accidents and how they could have been avoided. If you or a loved one has been injured at sea, please call today for a free consultation.