9th Circuit Awards Seaman Maintenance for Head Injury, Revives Claims Against Vessel

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a seaman was entitled to an award of maintenance following a severe head injury, and that he should have been allowed to proceed with his admiralty claims against the vessel he had been working aboard when he was hurt. Case: Barnes v. Sea Hawaii Rafting, No. 16-15023, 03/28/2018, published. Facts: Chad Barnes spent six years working onboard the Tehani, a 25-foot rigid hull inflatable boat powered by twin outboard engines. The Tehani was used to take tourists from Honokohau Harbor on sightseeing and snorkeling trips along the Kona coast. The T...