Punitive Damages Available for Claims of Unseaworthiness

The Washington Supreme Court ruled that an injured maritime worker can seek an award of punitive damages on an unseaworthiness claim. Case: Tabingo v. American Triumph, No. 92913-1, 03/09/2017, published. Facts: Allan Tabingo worked as a deckhand trainee aboard the fishing trawler American Triumph. In February 2015, a coworker accidentally closed a hydraulic hatch door on Tabingo's hand, resulting in the loss of two fingers. Procedural history: Tabingo filed suit against the ship owner, and asserted claims for Jones Act negligence and unseaworthiness, for which he requested compen...