Seaman Can Get Prejudgment Interest on Award

The U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals last week ruled that a professional sailor was entitled to $1.46 million in damages for an arm injury he sustained while jumping from a racing yacht during rough seas — plus prejudgment interest. The availability of prejudgment interest on a seaman's recovery for a claim of unseaworthniess and violation of the Jones Act was a question of first impression for the 1st Circuit, and it's an issue that has caused a split among the federal appellate courts. Both the 5th and 6th Circuits have case law for the idea that a sailor who prevails on par...