Trial Magazine

Doe, a 35-year-old citizen of Serbia, worked as a maître d’ at a restaurant on the Celebrity Eclipse cruise ship. As he went to the pantry during a lunchtime service, the ship made a strong and sudden movement, which led him to hold on to some vertical shelving for support. At the same time, a bread trolley rolled into him and fell over. The trolley’s top edge struck Doe’s back, causing him to suffer a spinal cord injury. This has resulted in central pain syndrome, urinary and fecal incontinence, depression, and sexual dysfunction. Doe must now rely on pain medication and is dependent on others.

Doe sued Celebrity Cruises, Inc., alleging Jones Act negligence and unseaworthiness claims. The plaintiff argued that the bread trolley was unseaworthy and caused his injury and that the defendant had been on notice of the trolley’s defective condition.

An arbitrator awarded approximately $10.3 million. After an appeal, judgment was entered for more than $10.5 million. Petitioner’s notice of satisfaction of judgment was later entered in federal court.

Citation: Doe v. Celebrity Cruises, Inc., No. 1:19-cv-22844-UU (S.D. Fla. May 6, 2020).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members John H. (Jack) Hickey and Sarah A. Lobel, both of Miami.