Securing Compensation for Those Injured

47 year old Larry Davis was injured on a vessel when he was assisting in the lift of a 5,000 pound piece of oil field machinery. The toolpusher operating the crane lifted prematurely - before the crane boom was centered - causing the load to lift at an angle and swing toward Davis. Davis pushed against the load to avoid being thrown into the water and exploded a cervical disc. He received emergency neck surgery and was unable to continue working. He earned approximately 10 dollars an hour, loyally working for his employer, Estis Well Service, for 7 years. Estis claimed the injury never happened and, if it did, blamed Davis for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Joe Jaworski co-represented Davis and took the matter to trial in federal court in Lafayette, Louisiana. Jaworski and his co-counsel obtained a $570,000 verdict for Mr. Davis. Estis fought the verdict on appeal - refusing to pay a dime - and Mr. Jaworski and his co-counsel successfully argued on Davis's behalf before the United States Court of Appeals and kept the verdict. Estis paid the claim in full with interest.

Patrick Thomas, a longshoreman at the Port of Houston docks, was critically injured while unloading a large Japanese cargo vessel when a several thousand pound steel coil tipped over onto him, traumatically amputating his right leg, de-gloving his left hand and crushing his right shoulder. Jaworski and his co-counsel took the case to trial, arguing that the vessel was negligent for presenting a dangerous stow, and demanded in excess of $2,500,000 for lost wages, pain and suffering and medical bills. The parties are expecting a verdict from Court this year.

Settlements:

Jaworski represented the Estate of Juvencio De La Garza after Mr. De la Garza, an employee of Weeks Marine, drowned in the Houston Ship Channel. The Weeks tug De la Garza worked on was struck by a barge proceeding inbound. The Captain of the Weeks tug negligently cut through the Channel into the path of the barge causing the barge to capsize and Mr. De la Garza to drown. His widow - who resided in Mexico - turned to Mr. Jaworski and his team of attorneys to obtain justice. After several months of hard fought depositions and court appearances, Weeks settled the case for a confidential sum.

Jaworski successfully represented the widow and children of Ocean Runner, Inc. deckhand Ramon Norwood in a tragic case which made headlines throughout the gulf coast. The Ocean Runner crewboat on which Norwood served was struck broadside in the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River by an inbound ocean-going cargo vessel. Mr. Norwood drowned and his body was missing for a month. Jaworski used his contacts within local law enforcement agencies to help identify Mr. Norwood's remains, and he cross examined key witnesses at the ensuing U.S. Coast Guard hearing convened in New Orleans. Jaworski and his co-counsel represented the Norwoods in two courts - in New Orleans and Galveston, Texas and helped obtain a confidential settlement for the family.

Thomas Bui served as an an engineer on a Keystone shipping tug and barge combination, carrying product to and from East coast ports to Texas City, Texas refineries. Bui, only in his twenties, suffered a fatal heart while working on deck, leaving a young widow and infant child. Keystone denied responsibility, but when evidence surfaced that Bui had fainted only days before while the vessel was being serviced in Tampa, Jaworski and other attorneys working with him filed suit, investigated the cause of his earlier collapse, and produced evidence tying the two events together. Keystone entered into a confidential settlement before trial.