May 21, 2012–Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman principals and maritime lawyers Michael Winkleman and Jason Margulies, along with associate Eric Morales, represented Chief Mate William Skye in a lawsuit versus Maersk Lines Limited in a five-day jury trial held in the U.S. District Court Southern District Court Miami Division. The lawsuit derived from medical complications, specifically a heart condition known as Left Ventricular Hypertrophy. According to the lawsuit, Skye encountered this medical condition, as well as an adjustment disorder due to a strenuous and overtime-heavy work schedule.
While the jury didn’t find violations of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), they did find that Skye was forced in to early retirement because of his working conditions aboard the Sealand Pride. Due to this, the jury awarded Skye ten years of compensation he will not be able to earn and also non-economic damages, together totaling $2.36 million in losses, and finding Maersk 25% responsible. You can read additional details about the case here
