Massachusetts Port Authority v. Sciaba Construction Corp.

While workers from Sciaba Construction Corporation (Sciaba) were working on a platform owned by the Massachusetts Port Authority (authority), a fire broke out causing substantial damage to the platform. In this action for negligence1 the authority obtained a judgment for damages in the amount of $681,934.502 against Sciaba. This appeal raises issues as to whether (1) evidence of replacement cost should have been considered by the jury and (2) whether the jury had adequate evidence and appropriate instructions on the issue of the obsolescence and depreciation of the platform at the time of the…