U.S. Supreme Court Asked to Decide Scope of Jones Act Coverage

The U.S. Supreme Court is being asked to decide whether a ship repairman who was injured when the crane he was operating collapsed should be allowed to recover for his emotional trauma from the death of a coworker and relative in the accident under the Jones Act. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals' determination that the Jones Act applied to Naquin had sent shockwaves through the maritime industry, with many attorneys calling it a sea change vastly broadening the definition of a "seaman" under the Jones Act. A jury had given Larry Naquin Sr. $2.4 million in damages, but a 5th Cir...