USCA 5th: 'Wilfull Concealment' = No Comp

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth District ruled last week in a split decision that a seaman who concealed his prior injuries when applying for a maritime job was not entitled to recover damages for work injuries under the Jones Act where the seaman may not have sufficiently appreciated what was a "willful concealment."In Brown vs. Parker Drilling Offshore Corp. (No. 03-30782, 01/05/04), Brown injured his back in August 1998 while lifting a sack of corn. Brown was treated at an emergency room and issued a wheelchair and walker. Brown told his treating physician, Dr. Walter J...