Ruffiner v. Material Service Corp.

Defendant, Material Service Corporation, appeals from a judgment for plaintiff William Ruffiner in th is action under the Jones Act (see 46 U.S.C. sec. 688 (1976)) and general maritime law. The jury awarded plaintiff $1,250,000 as compensation for injuries sustained when he fell from a ladder aboard defendant’s vessel, the Irving Crown. Defendant contends that the verdict was based on incompetent evidence, that the jury’s award was excessive, and that the trial court submitted erroneous verdict forms to the jury. Facts relevant to our disposition follow.

On March 25, 1977, motor vessel Irving…