Aquamarine Operators v. Downer

OPINION

ROBERTSON, Justice.

Aquamarine Operators, Inc. appeals a judgment for $1,685,988.00 entered after the trial court struck its pleadings as a discovery sanction. The controlling issue on appeal is whether those sanctions were proper. After a careful review of the record, we believe the court’s action was erroneous and accordingly reverse and remand the cause.

The facts forming the basis of this lawsuit can be briefly summarized. Appellee’s husband died while working as a seaman on appellant’s vessel. Appellee brought a wrongful death action under the Jones Act and general maritime law.…