Cases and Deals
Case

Blank Rome Obtains Defense Jury Verdict in Favor of Marine Spill Response Corporation

On October 1, 2019, a Blank Rome team obtained a defense jury verdict in favor of Marine Spill Response Corporation, the largest oil spill and emergency response organization in the United States. In James E. Gowdy v. Marine Spill Response Corporation, which was tried in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Galveston Division, Mr. Gowdy sued under the Jones Act, claiming to have been severely injured working on a dry-docked vessel, ultimately resulting in the amputation of his leg. Medical causation and credibility issues predominated at trial.

Although Mr. Gowdy’s counsel argued for an excess of three million dollars in damages, the jury unanimously returned a verdict in favor of Blank Rome’s client on all issues, finding that Marine Spill Response Corporation was not negligent, did not cause any of Mr. Gowdy’s injuries or damages, the vessel on which he was working was not unseaworthy, and that Mr. Gowdy himself caused his own injury and was responsible for 100 percent of all damages. Blank Rome’s client was extremely pleased with the result.

The Blank Rome trial team was led by Bob Scott, and included Marquel Jordan, David Meyer, Tammy Wilson (paralegal), and Danny Thankachan (director of practice technology). Emery Richards also provided assistance.