Soliman v. Maersk Line Ltd.

235 F. Supp. 3d 410, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11081, 2017 WL 383422
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. New York
DecidedJanuary 26, 2017
DocketNo. 14-cv-5951 (RER)
StatusPublished
Cited by6 cases

This text of 235 F. Supp. 3d 410 (Soliman v. Maersk Line Ltd.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Soliman v. Maersk Line Ltd., 235 F. Supp. 3d 410, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11081, 2017 WL 383422 (E.D.N.Y. 2017).

Opinion

[413]*413FINDINGS OF FACT & CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

Ramon E. Reyes, Jr., United States Magistrate Judge.

Mohammed Solimán (“Solimán”) commenced this action against defendant Maersk Line Limited (“Maersk”) for Jones Act Negligence, 46 U.S.C. § 30104, and general maritime unseaworthiness, after suffering a debilitating shoulder injury during the course of his duties as an Able Bodied Seaman (“ABS”) aboard the Maersk Idaho (the “Idaho”). (Dkt. No. 1). Based on testimony received during the course of a bench trial and additional depositions submitted by both parties, I conclude that Maersk is liable for negligence under the Jones Act. I further conclude that Solimán, through his own negligence, was fifty percent at fault. As such, I award Solimán damages in the amount of $ 638,-603.

BACKGROUND

In October of 2011, Solimán was employed as an ABS aboard the Idaho, a United States flagged containership. On October 22, while engaged in garbage disposal in the port of Algeciras, Spain, Soli-mán suffered a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. Following his injury, Soli-mán underwent three failed surgeries and has been unable to return to the profession he had practiced for 38 years.

A. Solimán

Solimán was born in Alexandria Egypt in 1950. (Testimony of Mohammed Solimán (“Solimán”) 43:3-6). In 1973, he began what would ultimately become a 38-year career as a seaman. (Solimán 44:4-6). While attending maritime school in Egypt, (Solimán 157:20-25), he received instruction on maritime safety and proper lifting, including the importance of keeping his arm by his side, rather than extended, when lifting. (Solimán 158:13-25). After graduating, he spent 18 years sailing for the Egyptian Navigation Company. (Soli-mán 44:10-18). In 1990, Solimán immigrated to the United States, working for various shipyards before joining the Seafarers Maritime Union in 2000 and returning to work as a seaman aboard United States flagged vessels. (Solimán 46:24-47:1, 47:10-22, 48:1-6). By 2009, Solimán was sailing for Maersk, first aboard the Maersk Montana and later as an ABS on the Idaho. (Joint Ex. 7).

Solimán was regarded as highly skilled and competent. (Deposition Testimony of Paul August Willers (“Willers”) 39:11-13). Captain Paul Willers, Master of the Idaho, testified that he “would evaluate [Solimán] very well. I would have put him above average!.]”1 Id. Solimán himself testified that he did not need instruction because he had been sailing for so long. (Solimán 181:24-25) (“I know a lot—I know a lot about safety. I don’t need... somebody tells me that again.”). Prior to the instant accident Solimán had only suffered two injuries during his long career, (Solimán 45:19-21; 97:20-98:12; 102:22-103:3), including one aboard the Idaho just prior to the injury that prompted this litigation. (Willers 97:20-98:12). On that occasion, Solimán strained his left shoulder while pulling a mooring line. Id. Following treatment, he promptly returned to work. (Soli-mán 98:7-12; Df. Ex. A).

B. The Accident

At the time of the instant injury, Soli-mán was assisting with garbage disposal in [414]*414the port of Algeciras, Spain. (Solimán 50:25-51:2, 54:6-12). Aboard the Idaho, trash is generally gathered from around the ship and collected in the garbage room, located on the port side of the main deck. (Willers 22:18-19). On longer voyages, where space becomes limited, additional room is made by compacting the garbage bags in a hydraulic press located in the garbage room. (Solimán 77:1-5, Willers 25:4-10). Compacted garbage is kept in heavy duty black bags. (Deposition Testimony- of Robert Neilson (“Neilson”) 37:5— 8). Captain Willers testified that bags were rarely compacted before arrival in Algeci-ras, because it was such a short trip from the preceding port. (Willers 172:5-10). First Mate Robert Neilson, who assisted Solimán with garbage disposal, testified that the offending bag was green, . not black, (Neilson 38:11-12), suggesting it was not compacted. Solimán offered no evidence that the offending bag was overweight or otherwise dangerous due to compacting.

When unloading garbage in Algeciras, the Idaho usually follows the same procedure. After reaching the relative calm of break water, crewmembers carry garbage bags from the garbage room, up a flight of steps and across the breadth of the ship to starboard side A-Deck. (Solimán 172:12-16; 179:2-6). Garbage is then staged for disposal on the exterior portion of starboard A-Deck. (Solimán 179:21-190:1; Joint Ex. 17-21). The location is tight and cluttered. A ladder runs along the bulkhead. (Solimán 55:10-14; Joint Ex. 2). A narrow passage exists between the ladder and the rail. Id. Below the ladder is a door. (Solimán 55:5-56:18; Joint Ex. 21). Between the door and ladder there is a small window. (Solimán 55:5-7; Joint Ex. 17-21). Along the bulkhead are multiple protrusions, most notably a portal for passing a fire hose and a handhold roughly the proportions of a towel rack, located at the same height as the first and fourth steps of the ladder. (Solimán 55:5-56:18; Joint Ex. 17-21). The garbage bags are stored against the bulkhead beneath the ladder. (Solimán 56:4-25; Joint Ex 11). A net is laid out on the ground between the bags and the exterior rail, leaving a very narrow strip of deck where a seaman can stand. (Solimán 58:16-19; Joint Ex. 2). According to Solimán, “[t]he net is right next to me.. .It’s a small space and I could step on the net and slip.” (Solimán 74:14-16; Joint Ex. 18). Crewmembers then pull bags from the pile, placing them in the net until it is full, at which point the Suez Crane is used to lift the net and lower it onto the dock for disposal. (Solimán 58:11-16).

On the day of Soliman’s injury, garbage bags had been piled approximately seven to eight feet high beneath the A-Deck ladder. (Solimán 54:23-55:1, 56:23-25). After stacking the bags, Solimán and another crewmember began pulling bags from the stack into the net. (Solimán 54:9-12, 64:22-65:7). Solimán was closer to the base of the ladder, facing stern and pulling with his right arm. (Solimán 68:22-24, 69:20-25). As he grabbed the bags, Soliman’s arm was bent at the elbow, and his hand was at shoulder height. (Solimán 72:22-25). His hand was turned halfway between palm up and palm down, similar to a handshake. (Solimán 81:8-13). After grasping each bag with his right hand, Solimán would pull his arm down and across his body in a 90 degree swing. (Solimán 81:19-23). This was the method used by all members of the Idaho crew. (Solimán 74:1-2Í).

After successfully pulling four -to six bags, Solimán reached for a bag located at approximately shoulder height. (Solimán 72:11-17, 73:3-5). As he pulled, Solimán felt a sudden sharp pain and tugging sensation in his shoulder. (Solimán 73:12-14). The bag did not move. (Solimán 73:16-18). [415]*415Solimán testified to experiencing “[a] lot of pain and my arm hung, like I couldn’t lift it. And I was screaming from pain[.]” (Soli-mán 73:19-21), He was sedated by the Second Mate and slept in his bunk until the following day, at which point he was seen by a doctor. (Solimán 76:1-7, 91:6-10; Df. Ex. A). The doctor found Solimán unfit for duty, at which point Maersk provided transportation back to the United States. (Solimán 95:1-3)

C. Safety Procedures Aboard The Idaho

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Bluebook (online)
235 F. Supp. 3d 410, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11081, 2017 WL 383422, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/soliman-v-maersk-line-ltd-nyed-2017.