Opinion
CASE NO. C15-5338 BHS
12-22-2016
PERRY A. WARD, Plaintiff, v. EHW CONSTRUCTORS, et al., Defendants.
ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANTS' MOTION FOR PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT
This matter comes before the Court on the summary judgment motions of Plaintiff Perry Ward ("Plaintiff") and Defendants EHW Constructors, American Bridge Company, J.V., Nova Group, Inc., and Skanska USA Civil Southeast, Inc. ("Defendants"). Dkts. 108, 109. The Court has considered the pleadings filed in support of and in opposition to the motions and the remainder of the file and hereby (1) grants Defendants' motion for partial summary judgment and (2) grants in part and denies in part Plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment.
I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On May 21, 2015, Plaintiff filed a complaint against Defendants in rem and in personam for personal injury. Dkt. 1. On June 22, 2015, Plaintiff filed an amended complaint alleging that Defendants have failed to pay mandatory maritime benefits. Dkt. 12.
On January 14, 2016, Plaintiff filed a motion for summary judgment. Dkt. 28. On April 20, 2016, the Court granted the motion in part, denied it in part, reserved ruling in part, and requested additional briefing on the issue of Plaintiff's seaman status. Dkt. 61. On May 25, 2016, the Court denied summary judgment on the issue of Plaintiff's seaman status, finding that questions of fact remained on whether Plaintiff had a connection to a vessel in navigation that was substantial in both nature and duration. Dkt. 67.
On November 3, 2016, Defendants filed their motion for partial summary judgment on the issue of punitive damages. Dkt. 108. On November 4, 2016, Plaintiff filed a motion for partial summary judgment on the issue of his seaman status and various affirmative defenses. Dkt. 109.
On November 21, 2016, Plaintiff's responded to Defendants' motion. Dkt. 111. November 25, 2016, Defendants replied. Dkt. 116. On November 28, 2016, Defendants responded to Plaintiff's motion. Dkt. 118. On December 2, 2016, Plaintiff replied. Dkt. 124.
II. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
In May 2012, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded Defendants the contract to build an explosives-handling wharf at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor. The contract called for Defendants to construct a number of structures, including a covered slip long enough for a 560-foot-long submarine, a warping wharf, trestle roads, power utility booms, hardened guard gun positions, and a waterfront support. Dkt. 50.
The wharf project utilized a number of pieces of equipment. Among these were several floating structures, including the Ringer II, which was an un-crewed floating platform comprised of interlocking flexi-floats. The flexi-floats are a combination of portable, interlocking modular barges and ancillary attachments, designed for use in inland marine, heavy-construction applications, which, when connected, could reach several hundred feet in length. The group of flexi-floats comprising the Ringer II was held in place with anchors or "spuds" then maneuvered at the worksite either by tug or by deck wenches. In addition to the flexi-floats, support skiffs were also used on the project to transport materials and laborers. These skiffs are flat-decked boats, approximately four feet wide and twelve feet in length with small, 90-horsepower motors. The skiffs were not used to move or reposition the flexi-float barges. Id. at 2-3.
On January 14, 2014, Defendants hired Plaintiff through Plaintiff's local union for pile drivers. Plaintiff declares that he has been a pile driver for 36 years. Dkt. 30. The parties dispute the type of work Plaintiff performed and whether he qualifies as a seaman. Plaintiff contends that his "work was always completely out on the water, working on vessels doing the pile driving on piles out in the open, navigable waters." Id. at 3. Plaintiff further declares as follows:
All of the above [work] activities were . . . on vessels on the open waterway of Hood Canal, unattached to land, and in navigation for uses and purposes directly related to working on water. I was attached to/assigned to, on a continual basis, these vessels as for purposes of at-sea work and I never worked on land nor was I assigned to work on land. The vessel Ringer II was always at least 300 to 500 yards from shore, and the skiff would work in and around where the Ringer II was. None of my crew were ever even arguably considered to be longshore or State Workers Compensation participants and EHW never suggested or did anything other
than treat us as if we were crew members working together on vessels to accomplish the mission and function of those vessels. I have never received any benefits from any Longshore or State program and have never been processed under any of those programs.Id. at 4-5.
Defendants contend that Plaintiff was part of a construction crew instead of a seaman. Steve Erickson, Defendants' pile driving foreman, has declared as follows:
Two different types of crews worked on the project at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor. One type of crew manned the vessels. This would include the vessel captains and deckhands. The other type of crew was a construction crew. The construction crews included crane operators, piledrivers, carpenters, and other laborers. The construction crews were responsible for the actual construction of the wharf. The wharf was an extension of land and while the construction crew utilized the crane barges and skiffs to complete their tasks, they were not assigned to operate or maintain the vessels.Dkt. 52. Mr. Eskins has declared as follows:
In my role as Piledriver Foreman, I had the opportunity to work with Mr. Perry Ward. Both Mr. Ward and I were a part of the construction crew. All work performed by the crew on which I worked, including the work performed by Mr. Ward, was for the construction of the wharf.
All work performed by the crew on which Mr. Ward worked was for the construction of the wharf. Mr. Ward did not serve on the tug crews that were used to reposition the RINGER II or other equipment. Mr. Ward's time on barges and skiffs was spent performing work constructing the Naval wharf.
To my recollection, Mr. Ward, as a piledriver, would spend approximately 80% of his time performing precast and setting work on the pilings for the wharf. This consisted of cutting off piles, using torches on the piles, and setting pile plugs. He also worked on setting pre-casts for the pilings on concrete. Mr. Ward spent 10 hours a day working for EHW Constructors. Of that time, approximately 15-30 minutes would be spent on Job Safety analysis meetings on the crane barges, 30 minutes would be spent for lunch on the barges, and 30 minutes would be spent on the barges for breaks. Mr. Ward would spend approximately another 30 minutes to an hour on the barges gathering materials for his precasting or performing preparation work on the pilings. All other times were spent on wharf
construction, and he would utilize floating platforms or a work skiff as a work platform to perform his tasks. Mr. Ward was not hired, or responsible, for piloting or maintaining the barges and tugs used by EHW Constructors on the project. On a rare occasion, he would guide crane operators on the use of winches to manipulate the crane barges. During those occasions, the barges were anchored.Dkt. 50 at 3-4.
Plaintiff's duties are further clarified in the depositions of Mr. Eskins and Mr. Erickson. These depositions clarify that a pile buck like Plaintiff would participate in the maintenance and operation of a skiff. Dkt. 110-6 at 7. Also, Plaintiff's job as a pile buck consisted in large part of work performed "out of a boat or float" or operating and moving about on a skiff. Dkt. 110-3 at 6, 13; Dkt. 110-6 at 9-12.
It is undisputed that neither Plaintiff nor any other employee completed an injury report or a near-miss report. Moreover, the foreman's daily report for the date in question, which was initialed by Plaintiff, states that Plaintiff was not injured on April 14, 2014. Dkt. 50-3 at 12.
Plaintiff has declared that, after the incident, he attempted to work through the pain. This lasted until June 2014 when Plaintiff "had to quit working" because he "could no longer stand the pain from [his] injury." Dkt. 30 at 2. Contrary to Ward's contention, Defendants' position is that Ward was terminated due to "a marked reduction in force and absenteeism." Dkt. 53 at 3.
On July 1, 2014, Defendants formally terminated Plaintiff. Id. Judy Anderson, Defendants' field administrator met with Plaintiff in person and processed his termination paperwork. Dkt. 53 at 4. The termination notice states that the reasons for termination were reduction in force and lack of availability for work and was signed by Plaintiff. Dkt. 53-2. Anderson recalls that Plaintiff was "going to work on his log business after he left EHW Constructors" and even provided Anderson with a business card, which shows Plaintiff as owner of Ape Log Creations. Dkt. 53-3. With regard to Plaintiff's injury, Anderson declares as follows:
Mr. Ward did not mention anything to me about any pain from which he was suffering nor did he mention anything to me about any injury he suffered while working for EHW Constructors. He did not appear in any pain when I met with him. He was actually in a very amiable mood. He did not have any complaints with his reasons for termination. He did not seem to have any issue with leaving EHW Constructors, as he continued to discuss his log business. Had Mr. Ward complained of any need for medical care or any pain he was suffering, I would have sent him to our safety officers.Dkt. 53 at 4.
On July 8, 2014, Plaintiff sought medical treatment for his work-related injuries with Dr. James M.T. Garrity, D.O. Plaintiff reported "pain radiating into his left upper extremity that is severe . . . ." Dkt. 31-1. Dr. Garrity assessed a cervical sprain and recommended using Motrin for the pain as well as proceeding with an MRI. Id.
In early 2015, Plaintiff contacted the U.S. Department of Labor ("DOL") regarding his injury. On February 3, 2015, the DOL contacted Defendants and informed them that Plaintiff had submitted a claim for compensation under the Longshore and Harbor Worker's Compensation Act. Dkt. 30- 3. Defendants turned the claim over to their insurance carrier, Zurich. On February 16, 2015, Cynthia Schmidt, Zurich's claim handler, sent a letter to Plaintiff regarding his claim stating that she had unsuccessfully tried to contact him on multiple occasions. Id. On February 18, 2015, Ms. Schmidt sent a notice of controversion to the DOL explaining that Zurich "controverts the claim in its' [sic] entirety due to late reporting and due to no medical documentation to support an on-the-job injury." Dkt. 55-1.
It appears that the first time Plaintiff raised his claim for maintenance and cure as a seaman occurred when he filed his complaint in this action on May 21, 2015, although there is no sworn testimony to this fact. See Dkt. 108 at 4. On January 27, 2016, Defendants instituted voluntary payments to Plaintiff for maintenance and cure, including back pay for maintenance to the date of Plaintiff's alleged injury. Dkt. 41 at 2.
III. DISCUSSION
Defendants move for partial summary judgment on the issue of punitive damages. Dkt. 108. Plaintiff moves for summary judgment on the issue of his status as a seaman and some of Defendants' affirmative defenses. Dkt. 109.
A. Summary Judgment Standard
Summary judgment is proper only if the pleadings, the discovery and disclosure materials on file, and any affidavits show that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c). The moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law when the nonmoving party fails to make a sufficient showing on an essential element of a claim in the case on which the nonmoving party has the burden of proof. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986). There is no genuine issue of fact for trial where the record, taken as a whole, could not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the nonmoving party. Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586 (1986) (nonmoving party must present specific, significant probative evidence, not simply "some metaphysical doubt"). See also Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e). Conversely, a genuine dispute over a material fact exists if there is sufficient evidence supporting the claimed factual dispute, requiring a judge or jury to resolve the differing versions of the truth. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 253 (1986); T. W. Elec. Serv., Inc. v. Pac. Elec. Contractors Ass'n, 809 F.2d 626, 630 (9th Cir. 1987).
The determination of the existence of a material fact is often a close question. The Court must consider the substantive evidentiary burden that the nonmoving party must meet at trial - e.g., a preponderance of the evidence in most civil cases. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 254; T. W. Elec. Serv., Inc., 809 F.2d at 630. The Court must resolve any factual issues of controversy in favor of the nonmoving party only when the facts specifically attested by that party contradict facts specifically attested by the moving party. The nonmoving party may not merely state that it will discredit the moving party's evidence at trial, in the hopes that evidence can be developed at trial to support the claim. T. W. Elec. Serv., Inc., 809 F.2d at 630 (relying on Anderson, 477 U.S. at 255). Conclusory, nonspecific statements in affidavits are not sufficient, and missing facts will not be presumed. Lujan v. Nat'l Wildlife Fed'n, 497 U.S. 871, 888-89 (1990).
Finally, with regard to the burden of proof, "where the moving party has the burden—the plaintiff on a claim for relief or the defendant on an affirmative defense—his showing must be sufficient for the court to hold that no reasonable trier of fact could find other than for the moving party." Calderone v. United States, 799 F.2d 254, 259 (6th Cir. 1986) (citation omitted); see also Southern Calif. Gas Co. v. City of Santa Ana, 336 F.3d 885, 888 (9th Cir. 2003).
B. Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment on Punitive Damages
Defendants move for summary judgment on punitive damages, arguing that Plaintiff cannot show that they engaged in a willful or wanton failure to satisfy obligations of maintenance and cure.
When a seaman is injured in the service of a vessel, the employer must pay maintenance and cure even where the employer is not at fault. Barnes v. Sea Hawaii Rafting, LLC, 983 F. Supp. 2d 1208, 1212 (D. Haw. 2013). An injured seaman may seek punitive damages against an employer "for the willful and wanton disregard of the maintenance and cure obligation." Atl. Sounding Co., Inc. v. Townsend, 557 U.S. 404, 424, 129 S. Ct. 2561, 2575, 174 L. Ed. 2d 382 (2009). "[A]n employer is entitled to investigate a claim for maintenance and cure before tendering any payments to the seaman—without subjecting itself to liability for compensatory or punitive damages." Boudreaux v. Transocean Deepwater, Inc., 721 F.3d 723, 728 (5th Cir. 2013) (citing Morales v. Garijak, Inc., 829 F.2d 1355, 1358 (5th Cir. 1987)). But "[l]axness in investigating a claim that would have been found to be meritorious will subject a shipowner to liability for attorney's fees and punitive damages." Rose v. Miss Pac., LLC, 3:09-CV-00306-ST, 2012 WL 75028, at *8 (D. Or. Jan. 10, 2012) (quoting Breese v. AWI, Inc., 823 F.2d 100, 104 (5th Cir.1987)).
Plaintiff first claimed that he was entitled to maintenance and cure when he filed his complaint. Defendants initially refused to pay maintenance and cure. To the extent that Defendants contend they acted reasonably in delaying payment to investigate Plaintiffs claim, Plaintiff has presented sufficient evidence to suggest that Defendants were excessively "lax" in their efforts to investigate his alleged injury. Specifically, he indicates that he made multiple attempts to communicate with Defendants regarding his claim, including sending them medical information from his doctor, and that they were unresponsive. Therefore, if the legitimacy of Plaintiff's injury was the only ground on which Defendants opposed maintenance and cure payments, the availability of punitive damages would properly be reserved for the finder of fact.
However, Defendants also oppose maintenance and cure payments on a theory that Plaintiff is not a seaman. "Refusal to pay maintenance and cure cannot be willful and wanton if it is based on a reasonable defense such as the seaman's concealment of his medical condition." Rose, 2012 WL 75028 at *9 (citing Brown v. Parker Drilling Offshore Corp., 410 F.3d 166, 178 (5th Cir. 2005). Indeed, "the willful, wanton and callous conduct required to ground an award of punitive damages requires an element of bad faith." Harper v. Zapata Off-Shore Co., 741 F.2d 87, 90 (5th Cir. 1984).
In all the cases cited by the parties, and those reviewed in the Court's own research, the Court is unable to find any analysis on whether punitive damages are available when an employer opposes maintenance and cure on the grounds that the employee is not a seaman. It appears that the Court is therefore facing an issue of first impression. To resolve this issue, in light of the above-cited authority, the Court will consider whether a rational juror could conclude that Defendants have acted in "bad faith" by contending that Plaintiff is not a seaman.
The Court has previously denied a motion for summary judgment by Plaintiff on the issue of his alleged seaman status. See Dkt. 67 at 8-10. As explained below, the Court does so again today. Based on the evidence presented by the parties, whether Defendant's duties qualified him as a seaman substantially connected to Ringer II is an issue upon which reasonable minds could differ, thereby rendering Plaintiff's seaman status an issue for the jury. Delange v. Dutra Const. Co., Inc., 183 F.3d 916, 920 (9th Cir. 1999) ("[I]f reasonable persons, applying the proper legal standard, could differ as to whether the employee was a 'member of the crew,' it is a question for the jury.") (quoting McDermott Int'l, Inc. v. Wilander, 498 U.S. 337, 356 (1991)). Because reasonable minds could differ on whether Plaintiff's duties rendered him a seaman, no rational juror could find that Defendants' opposition to maintenance and cure was in bad faith. Therefore, the Court grants Defendants' motion for summary judgment and finds that punitive damages are unavailable for Defendants' allegedly wrongful refusal to pay maintenance and cure.
C. Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment
1. Seaman Status
To the extent Defendants oppose maintenance and cure on the theory that Plaintiff is not a seaman, the only question remaining is whether Plaintiff's connection to the Ringer II was substantial in both nature and duration. See Dkt. 67 at 8-10.
"[T]he purpose of the substantial connection test is to separate land-based workers who do not face the perils of the sea from sea-based workers whose duties necessarily require them to face those risks." Cabral v. Healy Tibbits Builders, Inc., 128 F.3d 1289, 1293 (9th Cir. 1997). To satisfy this test, "[i]t is not necessary that a seaman aid in navigation or contribute to the transportation of the vessel, but a seaman must be doing the ship's work." Wilander, 498 U.S. at 355. "[T]he court should focus on whether the employee's duties are 'primarily sea-based activities' in determining whether the nature of the connection to the vessel is substantial." Scheuring v. Traylor Bros., Inc., 476 F.3d 781, 786 (9th Cir. 2007). The Supreme Court has considered the substantial connection test in a more general sense, asking whether employees "owe their allegiance to a vessel and not solely to a land-based employer." Wilander, 498 U.S. at 347. "[I]f reasonable persons, applying the proper legal standard, could differ as to whether the employee was a 'member of the crew,' it is a question for the jury." Delange, 183 F.3d at 920 (quotation omitted).
In the order on Plaintiff's previous motion for summary judgment, the Court concluded that "[g]iven the similarity of Gipson and Scheuring to this case, the Court is unable to conclude that reasonable jurors could not find other than for Ward." Dkt. 67 at 9. In reaching this conclusion, the Court cited (1) Plaintiff's limited association with the Ringer II and skiffs for the purposes of the wharf project and (2) the fact that Plaintiff's participation was not for the entire duration of the project. Id. at 9-10.
The developed record has certainly provided Plaintiff with a more persuasive case, and his case can be distinguished from both Gipson v. Kajima Eng'g & Const., Inc., 972 F. Supp. 537, 542 (C.D. Cal. 1997), aff'd, 173 F.3d 860 (9th Cir. 1999), and Scheuring, 476 F.3d 781. Plaintiff has provided evidence to show that a pile buck like himself, at least to some extent, would participate in the maintenance of a skiff. Dkt. 110-6 at 7. Plaintiff's job as a pile buck consisted in large part of work performed "out of a boat or float" or operating a skiff. Dkt. 110-3 at 6, 13; Dkt. 110-6 at 9-12. On the other hand, the issue remains that Plaintiff's work also consisted largely of marine construction tasks (such as cutting piles, setting precast pile caps, and maintaining a crane) carried out from staging built around the pilings or from a barge that moved only slightly by anchor or, when larger movements were necessary, with the help of tugboats. Dkt. 110-3 at 5-7, 9.
Plaintiff also argues that the limited duration of his work involving the Ringer II should not factor into his status as a seaman, analogizing his position to that of a temporary summertime Alaskan fisherman who is undoubtedly a seaman. See Dkt. 109 at 16. However, it is a long settled principle that fishermen are seamen. The Virginia Belle, 204 F. 692, 693 (E.D. Va. 1913) ("[T]he maritime law treats persons engaged in fishing enterprises upon waters as seamen, and accords them the same rights, privileges, and remedies afforded seamen."); The Carrier Dove, 97 F. 111, 112 (1st Cir. 1899) ("Fishermen are seamen, having uses and customs peculiar to their business, but are at the same time, except as modified by their peculiar contracts, express or implied, protected by law as other seamen are."). In a case involving a boat fisherman, there would be no doubt that "the employee's duties are 'primarily sea-based activities.'" Scheuring, 476 F.3d at 786. Plaintiff's job, however, consisted of many general marine construction work tasks, and while his position involved the frequent use of a barge, floating platforms, and a skiff in this instance, his work as a pile driver is not a well-established "sea-based activity." See, e.g., Gipson, 972 F. Supp. 537 (pile driver not a seaman when he lacks "more or less permanent connection" with a particular skiff or barge); Gault v. Modern Cont'l/Roadway Constr. Co., Inc., Joint Venture, 100 Cal. App. 4th 991, 1003 (2002) (pile driver's connection to barge as a vessel in navigation is a question of fact).
Accordingly, the Court finds that issues remain on the quantity of Plaintiff's work performed from the staging, the skiffs, or the barge, and what tasks should be considered "sea-based activity." While the Court might be inclined to find that Plaintiff's activities consisted of many sea-based activities, a question remains as to whether Plaintiff's "duties are 'primarily sea-based activities.'" Scheuring, 476 F.3d at 786 (emphasis added). Moreover, to the extent the Court previously analogized Gipson to the present case, issues of fact remain on whether the Ringer II or the floating platforms from which plaintiff worked, although it is clear that they would move to some extent, should be considered vessels in navigation. Accordingly, the Court denies summary judgment on the issue of Plaintiff's seaman status, as reasonable minds could differ on whether he has a connection to a vessel in navigation that is substantial both in duration and in nature.
2. Affirmative Defenses
Plaintiff moves for summary judgment on four of Defendants' remaining affirmative defenses, including (1) third party fault, (2) limitation of liability under 46 U.S.C. §§ 30501-30512, (3) willful misconduct of Plaintiff, and (4) a McCorpen defense. Dkt. 109 at 17.
a. Seventh Affirmative Defense: Third Party Fault
Defendants stipulate to the withdrawal of this affirmative defense. Accordingly, the Court grants summary judgment in favor of Plaintiff on this issue.
b. Twelfth Affirmative Defense: Limitation of Liability
The Court denies Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment on Defendants' twelfth affirmative defense. Plaintiff argues that Defendants have failed to bring an action under 46 U.S.C. §§ 30501-30512 within six months after a claimant gives notice of a claim. Dkt. 109 at 18. However, the six-month limitation does not apply when limitation of liability is asserted as an affirmative defense in a responsive pleading.
Plaintiff also cursorily argues that Defendants "failed to provide any evidence (whether in discovery responses, initial disclosures, or otherwise) that would support a number of its defenses, including notably its seventh, twelfth, sixteenth, and nineteenth defenses." Dkt. 109 at 18. However, in their motion, Plaintiffs offer no analysis on what evidence is necessary or lacking for Defendants to satisfy their burden on this affirmative defense. On summary judgment, "[t]he moving party bears the initial burden of showing that there is no evidence which supports an element essential to the nonmovant's claim." Harris v. Extendicare Homes, Inc., C10-5752RBL, 2012 WL 1327816, at *1 (W.D. Wash. Apr. 17, 2012) (citing Celotex, 477 U.S. at 322). Having failed to offer any analysis on this issue, Plaintiff has failed to satisfy his initial burden in showing that Defendants lack evidence on any essential elements of this defense. Therefore, the Court denies summary judgment on this issue, although Plaintiff may later renew his motion with supporting analysis.
In his reply, Plaintiff also argues that this affirmative defense should be stricken as a sanction for spoliation of evidence. Dkt. 125 at 10-11. The Court refuses to address such an argument when raised in a reply brief on summary judgment. If Plaintiff wishes for the Court to entertain an argument on sanctions for alleged spoliation, he can so move in accordance with the applicable civil and local rules. --------
c. Sixteenth Affirmative Defense: Willful Misconduct of Plaintiff
Plaintiff argues that there is no evidence to suggest that any misconduct on his part contributed to his alleged injuries. However, Plaintiff provides no analysis on what actions or behavior may be considered as willful misconduct contributing to his injuries. Evidence suggests that Plaintiff delayed seeking treatment of his alleged injury for approximately several months, during which time he continued to perform the physical labor of his position despite experiencing pain. If a jury determines that Plaintiff was concealing his injury during this time, it could rationally conclude that Defendant's own willful actions further contributed to his injuries.
He also indicates that there is no expert medical testimony to suggest that a willful delay in seeking treatment could have contributed to the injury. Dkt. 152 at 11. However, this argument was raised in Defendant's reply instead of his motion, and Plaintiff offers no legal analysis on whether such a defense requires expert medical testimony to show causation. Accordingly, the Court denies Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment on this defense.
Nonetheless, the Court notes that to the extent Defendants (1) have not yet disclosed potentially necessary expert testimony regarding such a defense, and (2) seek to use Plaintiff's smoking habit as evidence that Plaintiff willfully contributed to his injuries, Plaintiff may properly address these evidentiary issues in motions in limine. Moreover, to the extent that Plaintiff can provide legal authority showing that a lack of medical evidence precludes this affirmative defense, he may seek to renew this motion with the proper analytical support.
d. Nineteenth Affirmative Defense: McCorpen Defense
Plaintiff moves for summary judgment on Defendant's McCorpen affirmative defense. "Under the so-called 'McCorpen' defense, when a seaman is asked to disclose pertinent information during a pre-hiring medical examination or interview and intentionally conceals or misrepresents material facts, he is not entitled to an award of maintenance and cure." Coastal Villages Pollock, LLC v. Naufahu, C13-1234-JCC, 2014 WL 1053126, at *4 (W.D. Wash. Mar. 19, 2014), aff'd, 14-35353, 2016 WL 5845732 (9th Cir. Oct. 6, 2016) (citing McCorpen v. Central Gulf S.S. Corp., 396 F.2d 547, 549 (5th Cir. 1968)). The McCorpen defense is based on the principle that "[w]hen a seaman signs aboard, he must have a good faith belief that he is reasonably fit for duty." Burkert v. Weyerhaeuser S. S. Co., 350 F.2d 826, 829 (9th Cir. 1965).
Here, no evidence suggests that Defendants performed a pre-hiring medical examination or interview. Accordingly, it appears that Defendants must satisfy their burden on this affirmative defense by showing that Plaintiff lacked a good faith belief that he was fit for duty. Defendants provide evidence that Plaintiff had been previously diagnosed with cervical spine injuries and related neuropathy. Dkts. 119-4, 119-5. While the evidence that Plaintiff cites regarding his esteemed reputation as a good worker and his arguments regarding the medical significance of his previous diagnosis are highly persuasive, see Dkt. 125 at 12-13, the evidence of a preexisting condition is sufficient to create a reasonable dispute of material fact that must be submitted to a jury.
IV. ORDER
Therefore, it is hereby ORDERED that Defendants' motion for summary judgment on the issue of punitive damages (Dkt. 108) is GRANTED. Plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment (Dkt. 109) is GRANTED in part, and DENIED in part as stated herein.
Dated this 22nd day of December, 2016.
/s/_________
BENJAMIN H. SETTLE
United States District Judge