Trial Verdict 2016-2: Boston Partner Ted Murphy

Boston Partner Ted Murphy obtained a defense verdict for our client, a large national defense contractor. The case was brought under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Act (33 U.S.C. Section 901) by an employee who sustained a back injury while working as a marine painter. Contrary to plaintiff’s contentions, the administrative law judge hearing the case found that our client adequately accommodated plaintiff’s disability by providing him with suitable alternative work as a tool room attendant. The judge found that plaintiff’s decision to stop working the light duty job was unreasonable and was the superseding cause of his loss of earnings, rather than the back injury. The court entered judgment in favor of our client on all issues.