If the US Supreme Court sides with the injured seafarer in an upcoming case over punitive damages for unseaworthiness claims, the effects on the shipping industry will be minimal according to New Orleans maritime lawyer Paul Sterbcow.
Speaking at the American Bar Association's Admiralty Disruption conference on Saturday, Sterbcow told attendees that the Christopher Batterton v The Dutra Group case is, practically, “a wonderful exercise in maritime law” that will not much affect the day-to-day operations of shipowners.
