Court Upholds Jury's $3.31 Million Verdict for Worker on Jones Act Claims

The Illinois Appellate Court upheld a jury’s $3.31 million award of damages to an injured worker on his Jones Act claims. Case: Mogensen v. SCF Lewis and Clark Fleeting LLC, No. 5-23-0501, 02/04/2025, published. Facts: Kevin Mogensen worked for SCF Lewis and Clark Fleeting LLC as a member of a barge crew. Mogensen was severely injured while loading corn product from a conveyor into a barge. Procedural history: Mogensen filed a Jones Act suit against SCF. During trial, the judge sanctioned SCF for violating Illinois Rule of Evidence 615. Rule 615 allows a judge to order witness...