Willett v. Western Oceanic, Inc.

BEER, District Judge.

Replete with numerous symptoms of the inappropriateness of certain aspects of the “Jones Act” remedy, this case exemplifies the ongoing dilemma facing district judges in dealing with the aftermath of these lopsided trials.

Some background and history that may not be clear from the record itself is necessary for an altogether full and fair consideration of the pending motions to grant a new trial or remit the amount of the judgment now before the court.

Both prior to trial and, again, on several occasions, during the trial I suggested that this matter certainly appeared to…