Gonsalves v. Coito

BURCH, J. pro tem. *

On June 30, 1953, plaintiff’s right hand was bitten off above the wrist by a large fish, presumably a shark. At the time, he was a member of the crew and a fisherman on the ‘ ‘ Gem of the Sea, ’ ’ a commercial tuna boat, owned by the defendants.

The jury returned a verdict for plaintiff for $50,000 after deducting $25,000 from total damages of $75,000 because of plaintiff’s contributory negligence.

It is alleged in the complaint that said vessel and its crew were engaged in catching live bait in Chame Bay within the territorial waters of the Republic of Panama. Defendants’…