Noteworthy
Cases
The following summaries of cases handled by attorneys in this office are representative only and should not be viewed as an assurance of a particular result. Prior outcomes do not guarantee a similar result. Each case must stand on its own facts and circumstances. These actual cases represent only some of the actual results, whether by verdict or settlement of matters handled by members of Friedman, James & Buchsbaum LLP.
$16 million
Motor vehicle accident in New Jersey involving traumatic brain and other injuries. Our on-scene investigation and research revealed that the driver and his employer violated federal and state law by not requiring its drivers to have commercial licenses and by having inappropriate hiring standards and driver training. This actual recovery appears to be one of the top five reported motor vehicle accident recoveries ever obtained in the State of New Jersey.
$8.25 million
Confidential settlement for injured seaman (2014).
$7.89 million
Injured Local 1556/1456 dockbuilder struck by falling construction equipment (2019)
$7.6 million
Verdict. A Bosun from Long Beach, California, serving as relief A.B. aboard a container vessel undocking in Hawaii, was struck in the hip and back by a mooring line which parted under tension. After rejecting vessel owner’s final pre-trial offer of $750,000, a New York federal court jury returned a $7.6 million verdict in our client’s favor in April, 2008.
$7 million
Jury verdict for injured seaman-QMED ordered to lift heavy platform without assistance (2024)
$5.4 million + $1.85 million maintenance and cure
A Florida seaman employed on a company yacht sustained an anoxic brain injury after falling from the yacht into the water at the dock in Newport, Rhode Island. Recovery obtained despite the vessel owner’s attempt to limit its liability to the value of the vessel, which was significantly less than the eventual recovery. The case was handled by Friedman, James & Buchsbaum LLP with co-counsel in Florida and Rhode Island and involved significant litigation to ensure the uninterrupted medical care required by the client.
Click here to read the case.
$4.6 million
Motor vehicle accident in New Jersey subject to confidentiality agreement. Case involved conflicts between NY/NJ law and interspousal immunity.
$4.5 million
Swimmer seriously injured in a maritime accident. The shipowner attempted to limit its liability pursuant to French Law and the offending vessel was arrested in Antigua pursuant to English law. Suit was eventually commenced in Florida and required collection efforts in Europe. Recovery included the waiver of $100,000 in health insurance reimbursement claims.
$4.36 million
Verdict. A Chief Mate from Maine, struck by a broken chain stopper while a container vessel was undocking in Oman, sustained severe arm injuries requiring multiple surgeries. After rejecting owner’s final offer of $600,000, a New Jersey federal court jury returned a verdict of $4.36 million in our client’s favor.
$4.1 million + $100,000 in maintenance and cure
Recovery on behalf of New York deckhand injured when assaulted during a cruise charter. Suit was commenced against vessel owner, security company, and others responsible for our client’s injuries. Recovery obtained despite vessel owner’s attempt to limit its liability (July, 2007).
$3.85 million
Staten Island Ferry deckhand seriously injured by falling rescue boat (2018).
$3.2 million
Verdict, federal court (April 22, 2013), affirmed by the Second Circuit (May 9, 2014). Click here to read the Second Circuit opinion. City of New York Hart Island Ferry deckhand injured by defective chainfall. The City of New York disputed our client’s Jones Act seaman status. The jury found he was a seaman and awarded damages of $3.2 million under the Jones Act. Click here to read the article. Reported as one of the highest 2013 verdicts obtained for a workplace injury in the State of New York. The federal District Court denied defendant’s motion to set aside the verdict (August 27, 2013). Click here to read the trial Court’s decision upholding the verdict. The trial Court also denied defendant’s second motion to set aside the verdict (December 9, 2013).
$3 Million
Local 3 electrician injured by fall from ladder.
$3 million
Recovery for marine construction worker injured while building the New Tappan Zee Bridge, including medical payments (2018).
$2.825 million
Four Staten Island Ferry crewmembers injured when Ferry allided with dock and another Ferry.
$2.8 million
Confidential settlement for blue water seaman (2013).
$2.5 million
Pedestrian struck by motor vehicle (2020).
$2.5 million
Construction worker injured by unsecured falling crane block (2014).
$2.5 million
Tugbboat deckhand injured by unseaworthy equipment (2016).
$2.3 million
Dredge deckhand involved in New Jersey beach restoration project struck by chain.
$2.25 million
Staten Island Ferry deckhand injured by defective door (2023)
$2.2 million
Jury verdict for a tug deckhand who sustained severe injuries.
$2.16 million
Crane operator employed in an elevated crane at Port Elizabeth, New Jersey struck by foreign-flagged vessel. Suit was commenced pursuant to the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, 33 U.S.C. § 905(b). With pre-judgment interest added, the judgment entered after trial and verdict exceeded $2.28 million.
$2.1 million
Tugboat deckhand struck in head by a shackle pin causing traumatic brain injury.
$2 million
Delivery person slip and fall down cellar stairs (2021).
$2 million
Second mate fell through unguarded swash hole opening while positioning Butterworth machine (July, 2010).
$2 million
Food delivery worker injured by defective restaurant stairway (2021)
$1.8 million
Longshoreman injured by dangerous ship mooring operation (2022)
$1.75 million
Staten Island ferry deckhand who sustained back and knee injuries due to defective gangway (April, 2014).
$1.6 million
Staten Island Ferry deckhand slip and fall due to lack of proper non-skid (2023)
$1.5 million
NYPD Harbor Unit member injured by dangerous and poorly maintained generator (2023)
$1.43 million
Staten Island Ferry deckhand who sustained back injury due to defective, unseaworthy sliding door (August, 2011).
$1.4 million
FDNY marine unit firefighter who sustained shoulder injury (January, 2012).
$1.4 million
Staten Island Ferry crewmember who sustained hand injury when contacted by unguarded rotating shaft violative of federal regulations (February, 2010).
$1.4 million
Severe leg injury to tug deckhand caught between tug and barge.
$1.2 million
Injured Staten Island Ferry crewmember (2016).
$1.1375 million
Barge mate injured when struck by crane bucket (2016).
$1.35 million
Tug deckhand injured when stepping between barges due to lack of non-skid surface (April, 2011).
$1.25 million
Barge crewmember suffered arm injury, settled during trial (October, 2013).
$1.25 million
Ferry deckhand injured by overhead obstruction (July, 2013).
$1.125 million
Plumber slip and fall on uncleared snow and ice at construction site (2023)
$1.175 million
Injured cruise passenger (2016).
$1.1 million
NYPD Harbor Unit police officer slip and fall on defective launch step (2021).
$1.1 million
Tug deckhand injured by snapped line (July, 2009).
$1.1 million
NYPD Harbor Unit member injured when step collapsed (2021)
$1.0 million
Verdict for failure to provide proper medical treatment to Chief Engineer who became ill onboard a tanker transiting from Japan to Indonesia.
$1.0 million
Ship repairman injured while repairing anchor (March, 2013).
$1.0 million
Construction worker injured on the job (2016).
Lalbeharry v. Hauser & Wirth
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 88
Margaritis v. Mayo
2021 WL 3472695
Cacho v. Prince of Fundy Cruises
722 A.2d 349 (Me. 1998).
Carmody v. ProNav Ship Mgmt., Inc
224 F.R.D. 111 (S.D.N.Y. 2004).
Daza v. Pile Foundation Constr. Co
983 F. Supp.2d 399 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 6, 2013) (summary judgment granted to plaintiff-construction worker on Labor Law 240(1) claim).
In re DeRay
No. 05 Civ. 2049, 2006 WL 1933492 (D.N.J. July 11, 2006).
Durfor v. K-Sea Transp. Corp
No. 00 Civ. 6782, 2001 WL 856612 (S.D.N.Y. July 30, 2001).
Eckert v. City of New York
Furlong v. Circle Line Statue of Liberty Ferry, Inc
902 F. Supp. 65 (S.D.N.Y. 1995).
Gross v. Flatbush Owners Co., LLC
No. 29306/07 (Sup. Ct. Kings Cnty. Dec. 29, 2009).
In re Gutierrez
No. 108631/05 (Sup. Ct. NY Cnty. Sept. 19, 2005).
Hoff v. Viva Box Co
No. 118878/02 (Sup. Ct. NY Cnty. Jan. 5, 2009) (partnership dissolution).
Confidential
(Sup. Ct. Bronx Cnty. Aug. 6, 2006).
Keane v. Chelsea Piers, LP
71 A.D.3d 593, 899 N.Y.S.2d 153 (1st Dep’t 2010) (leading First Dep’t case extending NY Labor Law protection to dockbuilders).
Kinsella v. Wyman Charter Corp
417 F. Supp.2d 159 (D. Mass. 2006).
Lempert v. Steinberg & Pokoik Mgmt.Corp
7 N.Y.3d 917, 827 N.Y.S.2d 684, 860 N.E.2d 987 (2006).
Martinez v. City of New York
2017 WL 1174384 (2d Cir. March 29, 2017) (Second Circuit reverses trial court’s summary judgment dismissal of seaman’s claim).
In re MLC Fishing
667 F.3d 140 (2d Cir. 2011) (Second Circuit declines to extend limitation of liability act to injury on ramp leading to floating dock).
Mulholland v. City of New York
No. 09 Civ. 6329 (AKH) (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 27, 2013) (upholding $3.2 million jury verdict and denying defendant’s motion to set aside the verdict).
Perkins v. 85 Kenmare Realty Corp
No. 102502/11 (Sup. Ct. NY Cnty. April 30, 2014 (denying defendants’ summary judgment motions in sidewalk trip and fall).
Pogoda v. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, et al
No. 110383/09 (Sup. Ct. New York Cnty. Sept. 30, 2010).
Quiles v. City of New York
978 F. Supp.2d 374 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 23, 2013) (New York City police officer granted Jones Act seaman status-City’s motion to dismiss denied).
In re RJF Int’l Corp
332 F. Supp.2d 458 (D.R.I. 2004).
Rivera v. Arctic Ocean Shipping Ltd
09 Civ. 4672, 2012 WL 1004849 (E.D.N.Y. March 23, 2012) (owner’s motion to dismiss action denied).
In re Rockaway Jet Ski
Rosenberg v Judlau Contr., Inc
Shef v. Schecter
No. 3598/07 (Sup. Ct. Queens Cnty. Dec. 20, 2007) (motor vehicle accident).
Silivanch v. Celebrity Cruises, Inc
333 F.3d 355 (2d Cir. 2003).
In re Specialist, LLC
No. 16 CV 1610, 2016 WL 6884919 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 22, 2016) (Court orders Weeks Marine, Inc. to bear costs of tug storage).
Staffer v. Bouchard Transp Co
697 F. Supp. 765 (S.D.N.Y. 1988).
Staffer v. The Staten Island Hosp
686 F. Supp. 400 (E.D.N.Y. 1988).
Taylor v. Bouchard Transp. Co
No. 89 Civ. 5965, 1991 WL 107279 (S.D.N.Y. June 12, 1991).
In re Tradewinds
No. 05 Civ. 805 (E.D.N.Y. Nov. 10, 2009) (limitation of liability denied after trial).
Vorvolakos v. Saltrue Assocs. Joint Venture
No. 22715/07 (Sup. Ct. Kings Cnty. Oct. 14, 2010). (dockbuilder awarded summary judgment).
Wagner v. Waldbaum, Inc
No. 18686/08 (Sup. Ct. Queens Cnty. Oct. 27, 2010) (slip & fall in Waldbaum’s supermarket).
In re Weeks Marine, Inc
6 Civ. 1463, 2016 WL 3410166 (D.N.J. June 14, 2016) (transferring limitation of liability action to forum where incident occurred).
Whitmore v. Kerbis
No. 05 Civ. 3895, 2007 WL 2116371 (E.D.N.Y. July 21, 2007).
Wilfong v. Norfolk Dredging Company
No. 11-3766, 2012 WL 1446342 (D. Md. Apr. 25, 2012) (denying defendant’s motion to transfer venue).
Wolf v. Miller Launch
No. 08 Civ. 3636, 2010 WL 2606469 (E.D.N.Y. June 21, 2010).