CURIEL V. SSA MARINE

Case Synopsis:

Felipe Curiel was a 44-year old truck driver when a reckless crane operator employed by SSA Marine at the Port of Long Beach knocked a 25,000-pound container directly onto the cab of Mr. Curiel’s truck. Mr. Curiel, who was sitting in the cab, sustained an explosive burst fracture in his lumbar spine requiring fusion surgery.  He continues to suffer from permanent nerve damage to his lower body, chronic pain, and other neurological problems, requiring him to walk with a cane for the rest of his life.  SSA Marine admitted liability on the first day of trial but disputed the nature and extent of Mr. Curiel’s injuries. Attorneys Brian Panish and Spencer Lucas obtained a $13.96 million jury verdict at trial, the largest amount ever awarded by a jury in the Long Beach courthouse at the time. After losing their motion for a new trial, SSA Marine paid Mr. Curiel more than $14.5 million.