HM&B recently achieved a significant indemnity victory on behalf of a major cruise line following a serious onboard injury incident. A crewmember suffered severe injuries when a gas cylinder malfunctioned and exploded during refilling operations. The cruise line resolved the crewmember’s claims through a multi-million-dollar settlement and pursued indemnification from the third-party service provider responsible for supplying and inspecting the cylinder. After extensive litigation, HM&B attorneys Jerry D. Hamilton and Evan S. Gutwein secured summary judgment requiring the service provider to reimburse the cruise line for the crewmember settlement. The service provider appealed, but HM&B successfully defended the judgment on appeal. As a result, the cruise line recovered the full settlement amount, plus attorneys’ fees, costs, and prejudgment interest for its cruise line client.
