MARGO K. BRODIE, District Judge.
Plaintiff commenced the above-captioned action against Defendants Sealift, Inc., Sagamore Shipping, Inc., and Sagamore Shipping LLC alleging negligence, unseaworthiness and unpaid maintenance and cure in violation of the Jones Act, 46 U.S.C. § 30104 et seq. On February 28, 2014, Defendants moved for summary judgment on all claims and the parties cross-moved for sanctions due to spoliation of evidence. The Court heard oral argument on April 23, 2014. For the reasons discussed below, Defendants' motion for summary judgment is granted. The parties' cross-motions for sanctions are denied.
Defendant Sagamore Shipping LLC is the owner of the M/V Sagamore vessel (the "Sagamore"). (Def. 56.1 ¶ 1; Pl. 56.1 ¶ 1.) Sagamore Shipping Inc. was merged into Sagamore Shipping LLC. (Def. 56.1 ¶ 1; Pl. 56.1 ¶ 1.) Sealift, Inc. is the managing agent of the Sagamore. (Def. 56.1 ¶ 1; Pl. 56.1 ¶ 1.) Plaintiff started working for Defendants in 1999. (Def. 56.1 ¶ 2; Pl. 56.1 ¶ 2.) Plaintiff served for 1½ years as master of a different Sealift vessel, the M/T Montauk. (Def. 56.1 ¶ 2; Pl. 56.1 ¶ 2.) As master, Plaintiff was Defendants' representative in many international ports and was responsible for satisfying all laws and regulations necessary for the vessel's entrance to countries throughout the world. (Def. 56.1 ¶ 17; Pl. 56.1 ¶ 17.) In November 2006, the M/T Montauk was sold and Plaintiff was offered a position as chief mate aboard the Sagamore. (Def. 56.1 ¶ 2; Pl. 56.1 ¶ 2.) As chief mate, Plaintiff was second in command to the master and was qualified to take over command of the Sagamore if the master were to become ill or injured. (Def. 56.1 ¶ 17; Pl. 56.1 ¶ 17.)
On November 10, 2007, Plaintiff fractured bones in both feet while serving as first mate aboard the Sagamore. (Def. 56.1 ¶ 3; Pl. 56.1 ¶ 3.) According to Defendants, Plaintiff "jumped" from a "hatch cover" to a cargo container, which was fixed in position. (Def. 56.1 ¶ 3.) Plaintiff asserts that he "stepped" or "tripped,"
James Hannon, crewing manager and claims manager for Sealift, handled the "payment and cure for Plaintiff's injury."
On January 3, 2008, New York State notified Defendants that Plaintiff had applied for unemployment benefits.
During a conversation in February 2008, Hannon told Plaintiff that Defendants would like to reach a settlement for all claims and any outstanding expenses that he might have related to his foot injuries. (Def. 56.1 ¶ 11.) The settlement was to include all claims Plaintiff had against Defendants, inclusive of any outstanding expenses for maintenance and cure. (Id. ¶ 12.) Defendants offered to settle Plaintiff's claims for $15,000.00. (Id. ¶ 13.) Plaintiff contends that he told Hannon explicitly that he did not wish to make a "final settlement." (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 11.)
By letter dated February 27, 2008, Hannon sent Plaintiff a "Red Letter Release." (Def. 56.1 ¶ 14; Pl. 56.1 ¶ 14; Hannon Decl. Ex. D.) The letter stated in pertinent part:
(Hannon Decl. Ex. D.) According to Defendants, Plaintiff called Hannon and acknowledged receiving the letter and release and told Hannon that he wanted to settle but did not feel comfortable signing the release. (Def. 56.1 ¶ 15.) John Raggio, Vice President of Sealift, contacted Plaintiff by telephone and later told Hannon that Plaintiff represented that he was happy with the $15,000.00 settlement and wanted to get back to work. (Id. ¶ 19.) According to Raggio, although Plaintiff did not want to sign the release, Plaintiff represented that he would be "content" with the $15,000.00 and would not sue. (Id.) Given their long relationship, Raggio trusted Plaintiff. (Id. ¶ 20.)
Plaintiff asserts that Hannon told him that Plaintiff had to sign the release in order to obtain past due maintenance and cure payment. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 15.) It was Plaintiff's understanding that when Hannon and Raggio began talking to him about writing Plaintiff a check, the payment concerned money already owed for maintenance and cure. (Id. ¶ 19.) Plaintiff made clear to both Hannon and Raggio that he would not sign any release or do anything else to permanently forfeit his legal rights with respect to his injury as he had a "number of concerns regarding the uncertainty of [his] future condition." (Id. ¶¶ 20, 32.)
According to Defendants, Raggio directed Hannon to send Plaintiff a check in the amount of $15,000.00 based on Plaintiff's representations that in exchange for that amount, Plaintiff would not sue Defendants for anything "relating to this matter." (Def. 56.1 ¶ 21.) By letter dated March 10, 2008, Hannon sent Plaintiff a check for $15,000.00 (the "Settlement Check"). (Def. 56.1 ¶¶ 22-23; Pl. 56.1 ¶¶ 22-23.) The letter stated, "Enclosed please find a check for $15,000.00 as full and final settlement for any/all claims during your employment on board the MV Sagamore." (Letter dated March 10, 2008 ("Settlement Letter"), annexed to Hannon Decl. as Ex. E.) Plaintiff cashed the check on March 14, 2008. (Hannon Decl. Ex. F.)
According to Defendants, on January 2, 2008, Sealift offered Plaintiff a promotion
Until January 2010, Plaintiff worked his normal rotation, and missed no time from work. (Def. 56.1 ¶ 26.) Plaintiff contends that his pain became progressively worse throughout this time, eventually resulting in the removal of "hardware" from his feet which cost him approximately $20,000 for the surgery. (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 26.) Plaintiff does not assert that he told Defendants that he was in pain at any point during the period of April 1, 2008, when he returned to work, and January 2010, when Plaintiff left to work for another corporation. Shortly after January 10, 2010, Plaintiff informed Hannon that Plaintiff had accepted a position as master on a vessel operated by another corporation. (Def. 56.1 ¶ 28; Pl. 56.1 ¶ 28.)
On December 4, 2007, Gregory G. Solis, M.D. ("Dr. Solis"), an orthopedic specialist in Florida, evaluated Plaintiff's "bilateral calcaneus fractures that were treated in the Arab Emirates." (Gregory G. Solis evaluation dated Dec. 4, 2007 ("December 2007 Evaluation") at 1, annexed to the declaration of Kenneth Fenelon ("Fenelon Decl.") as Ex. 1.) Dr. Solis had a "pretty lengthy discussion" with Plaintiff and told Plaintiff that he would have to be "strictly non weight bearing for a minimum of 6 weeks" but that he would "gradual[ly] return to walking with a 4 point gait" but "recovery will be limited." (Id. at 2.) On January 7, 2008, Dr. Solis recorded that Plaintiff was "doing extremely well," had an "excellent" range of motion and noted that Plaintiff's fractures appeared "to be healing well." (Dr. Solis evaluation dated January 7, 2008 ("January 2008 Evaluation") at 1, annexed to Fenelon Decl. as Ex. 1.)
On July 15, 2008, Dr. Solis noted that Plaintiff had just returned from three months overseas, was doing "extremely well" and did "not really hav[e] any pain." (Gregory G. Solis evaluation dated July 15, 2008 ("July 2008 Evaluation") at 1, annexed to Fenelon Decl. as Ex. 1.) Dr. Solis also noted that Plaintiff desired to have the hardware removed. (Id.)
On August 4, 2009, Dr. Solis recorded that Plaintiff reiterated his desire to have the hardware in his feet removed. (Gregory G. Solis evaluation dated August 4, 2009 ("August 2009 Evaluation") at 1, annexed to Fenelon Decl. as Ex. 1.) Dr. Solis thought removal "would be beneficial" and "explained the risks and benefits of the surgery" to Plaintiff. (Id.) On February 4, 2010, Dr. Solis recorded that Plaintiff had "[p]ainful retained hardware" on his left side, which would be removed at a later scheduled date. (Gregory G. Solis evaluation dated February 4, 2010 ("February 2010 Evaluation") at 1, annexed to Fenelon Decl. as Ex. 1.) On October 5, 2010, following removal of all of Plaintiff's hardware,
Summary judgment is proper only when, construing the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-movant, "there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(a); see also Bronzini v. Classic Sec., L.L.C., 558 Fed.Appx. 89, 90, 2014 WL 943933, at *1 (2d Cir. Mar. 12, 2014); Kwan v. Andalex Grp. LLC, 737 F.3d 834, 843 (2d Cir.2013); Kwong v. Bloomberg, 723 F.3d 160, 164-65 (2d Cir.2013); Redd v. N.Y. Div. of Parole, 678 F.3d 166, 174 (2d Cir.2012). The role of the courts is not "to weigh the evidence and determine the truth of the matter but to determine whether there is a genuine issue for trial." Cioffi v. Averill Park Cent. Sch. Dist. Bd. of Educ., 444 F.3d 158, 162 (2d Cir.2006) (quoting Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 249, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986)). A genuine issue of fact exists when there is sufficient "evidence on which the jury could reasonably find for the plaintiff." Anderson, 477 U.S. at 252, 106 S.Ct. 2505. The "mere existence of a scintilla of evidence" is not sufficient to defeat summary judgment; "there must be evidence on which the jury could reasonably find for the plaintiff." Id. The court's function is to decide "whether, after resolving all ambiguities and drawing all inferences in favor of the non-moving party, a rational juror could find in favor of that party." Pinto v. Allstate Ins. Co., 221 F.3d 394, 398 (2d Cir.2000).
The Supreme Court has held that absent a relevant statute, the "general maritime law, as developed by the judiciary, applies" to maritime contracts, and has characterized general maritime law as "an amalgam of traditional common-law rules, modifications of those rules, and newly created rules." East River S.S. Corp. v. Transamerica Delaval, Inc., 476 U.S. 858, 864-865, 106 S.Ct. 2295, 90 L.Ed.2d 865 (1986). "[I]t is an established rule of ancient respectability that oral contracts are generally regarded as valid by maritime law." Kossick v. United Fruit Co., 365 U.S. 731, 734, 81 S.Ct. 886, 6 L.Ed.2d 56 (1961); see also Am. Dredging Co. v. Miller, 510 U.S. 443, 451, 114 S.Ct. 981, 127 L.Ed.2d 285 (1994) ("[A] State may not require that a maritime contract be in writing where admiralty law regards oral contracts as valid."); Montauk Oil Transp. Corp. v. Sonat Marine Inc., 4 Fed. R. Serv.3d 897, 1986 WL 1805 (S.D.N.Y.1986) ("[o]ral maritime contracts are valid" (citing Texaco Export, Inc. v. Overseas Tankship Corp., 573 F.2d 717, 720 n. 8 (2d Cir.1978))); see also Garrett v. Delta Queen Steamboat Co., Inc., No. 05-CV-1492, 2007 WL 837177, at *3 (E.D.La. Mar. 14, 2007) ("In the absence of a factual basis rendering it invalid ..., an oral agreement to settle a personal injury cause of action within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the federal courts is enforceable and cannot be repudiated." (quoting Strange v. Gulf & South American Steamship Company, Inc., 495 F.2d 1235 (5th Cir.1974))); Touray v. Glacier Fish Co., Ltd., No. 05-CV-1388, 2005 WL 3434522, at *2 (W.D.Wash. Dec. 14, 2005) (finding
In this Circuit, courts look to four factors to determine whether parties intended to be bound by a settlement agreement absent a formally executed and signed agreement: "(1) whether there has been an express reservation of the right not to be bound in the absence of a signed writing; (2) whether there has been partial performance of the contract; (3) whether all of the terms of the alleged contract have been agreed upon; and (4) whether the agreement at issue is the type of contract that is usually committed to writing." Ciaramella v. Reader's Digest Ass'n, Inc., 131 F.3d 320, 323 (2d Cir.1997); cf. Kilcullen v. Metro N. Commuter R. Co., No. 95-CV-6331, 1998 WL 647171, at *6 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 22, 1998) (applying the Ciaramella factors to an oral settlement concerning claims brought under the Federal Employer's Liability Act and the Railroad Safety Appliance Act).
Defendants argue that the parties reached a binding and enforceable oral agreement to settle all claims arising from Plaintiff's foot injuries. (Def. Mem. 6.) Plaintiff contends that a contract was never formed as there was no meeting of the minds as to the terms of the alleged settlement. (Pl. Mem. 6-7.) Although the Ciaramella factors for determining the enforceability of alleged oral contracts have never been applied to maritime law, the Court uses these factors as guidelines in assessing the instant claim.
It is clear that Defendants desired a signed writing as evidenced by their attempt to have Plaintiff complete the "Red Letter Release." (Hannon Decl. Ex. D.)
Defendants argue that Plaintiff's acceptance and cashing of the $15,000.00 check ratified the oral agreement. (Def. Mem. 8.) Plaintiff does not dispute that Defendants understood that the $15,000.00 was being paid in exchange for "any/all" claims concerning Plaintiff's foot injury. (Hannon Decl. Exs. D-E.) Plaintiff argues that he was already owed money for maintenance and cure and when he received the check, he "understood it to be a payment for what was past due to me."
In Sellan, a court in the Southern District of Florida enforced a settlement agreement between a seaman and his employer despite the seaman's refusal to sign the written agreement. See Sellan, 64 F.Supp.2d at 1264. The court found that the seaman's acceptance of the settlement check ratified the settlement agreement and stated that "[w]here a party accepts the benefits of a settlement agreement ... and knows, or in the exercise of due diligence should have known, the facts concerning the settlement, the party ratifies the settlement by accepting the benefits...." Id. at 1262. Here, Defendants' tender of the $15,000.00 check and Plaintiff's subsequent acceptance by cashing that check, tips this factor in Defendants' favor. See id. at 1264 ("Sellan's secret objection cannot operate to permit him to renege after he accepted the terms by cashing the $364,500 check in consideration for the negotiated terms and conditions."); cf. Touray, 2005 WL 3434522, at *3 (distinguishing Sellan by noting that the defendant "never tendered and plaintiff never accepted any consideration under the [alleged oral] agreement").
The terms of the alleged oral agreement are quite simple: $15,000.00 in satisfaction of "any/all" claims concerning Plaintiff's foot injury. Defendants argue that these terms were agreed upon between the parties in separate discussions between Plaintiff and both Hannon and Raggio, and further memorialized in the February 27, 2008 and March 10, 2008 letters. (Def. Mem. 8-9.) Plaintiff disagrees. According to Plaintiff, the discussions about a settlement that occurred in February and March of 2008 referred to money already owed to Plaintiff for maintenance and cure and his refusal to sign the release is evidence of his disagreement with Defendants' proposed terms of the settlement. (Pl. Dec. ¶¶ 11-12.)
Although misunderstandings are potential consequences of oral negotiations, the letter dated March 10, 2008, which included the Settlement Check, expressly stated that the check was in "full and final settlement for any/all claims during [Plaintiff's] employment on board the MV Sagamore." (Hannon Decl. Ex. E.) Plaintiff admits to receiving the letter and the Settlement Check. (Def. 56.1 ¶ 22; Pl. 56.1 ¶ 22.) Plaintiff does not discuss the content of this letter or how he could form his particular understanding of the $15,000.00 Settlement Check in spite of the clear language in the letter enclosing the Settlement Check. In Touray, which involved a Jones Act negligence claim, the court in the Western District of Washington
Neither party briefed this issue. One court in this Circuit has held that personal injury actions are typically settled by oral agreement. See Kilcullen v. Metro N. Commuter R. Co., No. 95-CV-6331, 1998 WL 647171, at *7 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 22, 1998); see also 8 Am.Jur. Proof of Facts 2d 617 (Originally published in 1976) ("Nor may a release be avoided merely because it was given orally, unless statutory provisions require a writing."). The Second Circuit has not squarely addressed whether personal injury releases are typically committed to a writing, however, it has stated that "the complexity of the underlying agreement is an indication of whether the parties reasonably could have expected to bind themselves orally." Ciaramella, 131 F.3d at 326.
Here, as already noted, the release at issue lacks complexity, suggesting that it is not of the class of settlements that is usually written and formally executed. The substance of the oral agreement as reflected in the Red Letter Release, which Defendants initially wished for Plaintiff to sign, consists of only a single page and is written in plain English. (Hannon Decl. Ex. D.) The letter which enclosed the Settlement Check consists of only two sentences, stating that the enclosed check was in "full and final settlement" of any and all claims. (Hannon Decl. Ex. E.) Courts in this Circuit have held that similarly straightforward agreements are not typically committed to a signed writing. See Renaissance Search Partners v. Renaissance Ltd., L.L.C., No. 12-CV-05638, 2013 WL 6839039, at *5 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 15, 2013) (finding a contract that included, inter alia, a settlement sum, a letter of apology, a confidentiality clause and a mutual release from liability to be "not particularly complex" and therefore not of the type usually reduced to writing), report and recommendation adopted in pertinent part, No. 12-CV-5638, 2013 WL 6840109 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 13, 2013); Case v. City of New York, No. 12-CV-2189, 2012 WL 5951296, at *7 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 28, 2012) (finding a settlement for a single payment of a small sum sufficiently simple to not require written memorialization); Walker v. City of New York, No. 05-CV-0004, 2006 WL 1662702, at *9 (E.D.N.Y. June 15, 2006) ("The settlement agreement in this case was for one lump-sum of $7,500.00. There was nothing complex about this agreement."); cf. Ciaramella, 131 F.3d at 326 (finding that this factor weighed in the plaintiff's favor as the settlement agreement at issue, although not involving a "complicated business arrangement," spanned eleven pages and "contain[ed] numerous provisions that [would] apply in perpetuity"). This factor tips in Defendants' favor.
In sum, in evaluating these factors, the Court finds that Plaintiff's refusal to sign the release does not preclude a finding that the parties intended to be bound by
Employees in admiralty have been analogized to "wards" of the court, therefore, releases executed by such employees must be "subject to careful scrutiny." Garrett, 317 U.S. at 248, 63 S.Ct. 246. "[T]he burden is upon one who sets up a seaman's release to show that it was executed freely, without deception or coercion, and that it was made by the seaman with full understanding of his rights." Id.; Harrington v. Atl. Sounding Co., Inc., 602 F.3d 113, 124 (2d Cir.2010) (same). "Relevant factors include: the medical and legal advice available to the seaman at the time of signing, whether the parties negotiated at arm's length and in good faith, and whether there was an appearance of fraud or coercion." In re Cardinal Servs., Inc., 304 Fed.Appx. 247, 253-54 (5th Cir.2008) (citing Castillo v. Spiliada Mar. Corp., 937 F.2d 240, 244 (5th Cir.1991) and Garrett, 317 U.S. at 248, 63 S.Ct. 246). "Despite the fact that plaintiff is a seaman and therefore entitled to significant legal protections, seamen are no less bound by their voluntary and knowing agreements than are other individuals." McKelvey v. Am. Seafoods, No. 99-CV-2108, 2000 WL 33179292, at *1 (W.D.Wash. Apr. 7, 2000).
Defendants argue that Plaintiff was not coerced or deceived and freely agreed not to sue for any claims arising from his foot injury in exchange for $15,000.00. (Def. Mem. 9.) Plaintiff argues that the release is defective for two primary reasons: (1) lack of full understanding of Plaintiff's rights and (2) coercion. (Pl. Mem. 5-6.) The Court addresses each of Plaintiff's claims below.
The Second Circuit has rarely addressed whether a seaman executed a release freely and with full understanding of his rights. In a pair of decisions issued in 1939 and 1941, the Second Circuit assessed releases that were "as extensive as human and legal ingenuity could make" them. Hume v. Moore-McCormack Lines, 121 F.2d 336, 337 (2d Cir.1941); Bonici v. Standard Oil, Co., 103 F.2d 437, 438 (2d Cir.1939). In Hume, the plaintiff burned his hand and told a claim adjustor that he would accept $250.00 in full settlement of any claims. Hume, 121 F.2d at 336. The plaintiff was told to see the company doctor and to obtain a discharge from the hospital. Id. After doing so and subsequent to a "considerable discussion," the parties arrived at a settlement of $150 and the plaintiff signed a release of "every right" he had against the company. Id. at 337. Plaintiff subsequently commenced an action against the company to recover damages related to the plaintiff's development of tuberculosis caused by improper sleeping quarters on board the company's vessels. Id. at 336. The Second Circuit found that the validity of the plaintiff's release should be submitted to the jury
In contrast to Hume and Bonici, in Sitchon v. Am. Exp. Lines, the Second Circuit upheld that validity of a seaman's release where the plaintiff had independent medical and legal advice from his own doctor and lawyer. Sitchon, 113 F.2d 830, 832 (2d Cir.1940); see also Hume, 121 F.2d at 337 (noting that the facts in Sitchon were "substantially the same as in the Bonici case but with the important difference that the seaman, before signing the release, had the independent advice of his own physician and his own lawyer"). The Second Circuit stated in Sitchon that "the question in any case concerning a seaman's release is whether the seaman, if he is acting alone, has intelligence enough fully to understand the situation and the risk he takes in giving up the right to prosecute his claim or whether, if he is acting under advice, that advice is disinterested and based on a reasonable investigation." Sitchon, 113 F.2d at 832. The Sitchon panel underscored that "[i]f such a settlement as the one in the case at bar is voidable, no release by a seaman could ever be free from attack, if he subsequently discovered that his injuries were greater than he anticipated when executing the release." Id.
Plaintiff argues that the settlement is unenforceable as he lacked legal counsel during negotiations. Plaintiff cites to no authority to support the proposition that a seamen may not release claims under the Jones Act unless he has had legal representation. In Sitchon, although the plaintiff there had legal counsel, the Second Circuit's language contemplates a viable release for a seaman "acting alone" as well. See Sitchon, 113 F.2d at 832 ("[T]he question in any case concerning a seaman's release is whether the seaman, if he is acting alone, has intelligence enough fully to understand the situation and the risk he takes in giving up the right to prosecute his claim ...." (emphasis added)); see also Pereira v. Boa Viagem Fishing Corp., 11 F.Supp.2d 151, 153 (D.Mass.1998) ("The law is solicitous of seamen, but it does not prevent them from entering into informed and voluntary settlements and from giving binding releases in connection therewith."); but see Sagastume v. Lampsis Nav. Ltd., Drosia, 579 F.2d 222, 224 (2d Cir.1978) (finding pre-discovery summary judgment inappropriate where the appellants argued that the seaman were not given any opportunity to refuse to sign the release at issue, did not speak English and were not represented by counsel). The special solicitude paid to a seaperson's release of personal injury claims stems, in part, from their unique "isolation ... from the legal, economic, and psychological support of a landbased community." Capotorto v.
Defendants argue that the sum was adequate since, at the time of settlement, Plaintiff's potential damages appeared limited in severity and duration. (Def. Mem. 10-11.) For support, Defendants note that they had previously paid Plaintiff $3,529 which included $3,153 in unearned wages and $376 in maintenance and cure, covering the period of November 15, 2007, through December 7, 2007. (Id.) Defendants also note that Plaintiff was ready and willing to work as evidenced by his statements to Hannon and Raggio, Plaintiff's submission of a fit for duty form, as well as Plaintiff's applications for unemployment benefits. (Id.) Plaintiff argues that $15,000.00 in consideration is "grossly inadequate." (Pl. Mem. 11.) However, Plaintiff provides no evidence to support his claim that $15,000.00 was "grossly inadequate," other than his assertion that the sum fails to cover his hospital charges.
The Supreme Court has made clear that the nature of the medical advice available is a relevant inquiry in assessing the "full understanding" of a seaman's release. See Garrett, 317 U.S. at 248, 63 S.Ct. 246. Plaintiff was seeing Dr. Solis, an orthopedic specialist, (Pl. 56.1 ¶ 30), at the time he accepted Defendants' offer of $15,000.00 as a settlement of all claims on March 14, 2008. On December 4, 2007, Dr. Solis had a "lengthy discussion" with Plaintiff and informed him that although Plaintiff could not put weight on his feet for six weeks, Plaintiff's "recovery w[ould] be limited." (December 2007 Evaluation at 1-2.) On January 7, 2008, Plaintiff had already started using crutches and was "pretty comfortable doing so." (January 2008 Evaluation at 1.) Dr. Solis expected that Plaintiff would be completely off crutches in 6 weeks. (Id.) Plaintiff began discussions with Hammon and Raggio in February 2008, and on March 10, 2008, Defendants sent Plaintiff a check for $15,000.00 in full settlement of "any/all" claims. Plaintiff cashed this check without consulting with Dr. Solis, and without seeking any other medical advice.
Plaintiff now argues that the lack of "comprehensive medical appraisal" renders the settlement unenforceable. (Pl. Mem. 4.) The Court disagrees. Although it certainly would have been appropriately cautious for Plaintiff to consult with a physician concerning the adequacy of the proposed settlement, Plaintiff's failure to do so should not be held against Defendants and used to undermine what is otherwise a straightforward settlement and release. Plaintiff offers no explanation as to why he did not seek the advice of Dr. Solis or any other physician with respect to the adequacy of the consideration. Significantly, on January 7, 2008, a month before Plaintiff received the Settlement Check, Plaintiff was seen by Dr. Solis who noted that
Plaintiff also asserts that he was coerced, (Pl. Mem. 6), but provides no evidence to support this assertion. Plaintiff does state that he believed that Defendants ceased payment of maintenance and cure during January and February 2008 as punishment for Plaintiff's unavailability to work. (Pl. Aff. ¶ 9.) However, as discussed above, Plaintiff did not provide Defendants with any documentation for outstanding cure in January or February 2008. Contrary to Plaintiff's suggestion, Defendants
In sum, after conducting a close examination of the release as set forth in the March 10, 2008 letter enclosing the Settlement Check, and the surrounding circumstances, the Court finds that Defendants have sufficiently shown that Plaintiff released all claims stemming from his foot injury aboard the Sagamore without coercion or deception and with full understanding of his rights. The release is therefore enforceable and Plaintiff cannot maintain his current claim.
The parties have cross-moved for sanctions for spoliation of evidence. Plaintiffs argue that "overtime logs," which reflected Plaintiff's "sleep opportunity," were "must-preserve evidence" that Defendants failed to preserve. (Pl. Spoliation Mem. 2.) Defendants respond that they had no duty to preserve the documents and they lacked the culpable state of mind necessary to impose sanctions. Defendants further assert that Plaintiff had copies of the evidence in question and failed to preserve said evidence.
"Spoliation is the destruction or significant alteration of evidence, or the failure to preserve property for another's use as evidence in pending or reasonably foreseeable litigation." West v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 167 F.3d 776, 779 (2d Cir.1999). To succeed on a spoliation motion the moving party must show "(1) that the party having control over the evidence had an obligation to timely produce it; (2) that the party that failed to timely produce the evidence had `a culpable state of mind'; and (3) that the missing evidence is `relevant' to the party's claim or defense such that a reasonable trier of fact could find that it would support that claim or defense." Residential Funding Corp. v. DeGeorge Fin. Corp., 306 F.3d 99, 107 (2d Cir.2002); see also In re Pfizer Inc. Sec. Litig., 288 F.R.D. 297, 325 (S.D.N.Y.2013) (quoting Residential Funding Corp., 306 F.3d at 107).
Defendants monitor work hours for wage purposes on "overtime sheets." (Declaration of James Hannon dated February 14, 2014 ("Hannon Feb. Decl.") ¶ 5.) Employees normally receive copies of overtime sheets. (Id. ¶ 6.) According to Plaintiff, "it appeared that [D]efendant[s] might have possessed" the overtime sheets for Plaintiff based on the February 17, 2012 deposition testimony of Robert Leake, a captain for Defendants.
Defendants received notice of the accident underlying Plaintiff's claim on November 10, 2007. (Def. Interrogatory Responses at 3; annexed to Pl. Spoliation Mot. as Ex. C.) However, according to Defendants, they did not receive notice that Plaintiff's claim "was related to fatigue" until Plaintiff served his Complaint on October 13, 2010. (Def. Spoliation Mem. 1; Hannon Feb. Decl. ¶ 3.) Defendants claim that Plaintiff never requested overtime sheets or records during discovery. (Def. Spoliation Mem. 3.) Instead, Defendants requested that Plaintiff produce any "wage records, including overtime records," in his possession. (Def. Doc. Request ¶ 27, annexed to Arnott Decl. as Ex. B.) On February 10, 2012, Judge Pohorelsky deemed factual discovery closed. (Docket Entry No. 19.) On May 1, 2013, Plaintiff moved to compel production of "certain overtime logs that remain[ed] missing." (Pl. Ltr. dated May 1, 2013, Docket Entry No. 31.) By order dated May 8, 2013, Judge Pohorelsky denied Plaintiff's motion to compel, stating that "[a]mple time had been provided for discovery." (Order dated May 8, 2013.) As discussed below, Defendants (1) had no duty to preserve the records after the settlement, and (2) did not have the requisite culpable state of mind.
"The obligation to preserve evidence arises when the party has notice that the evidence is relevant to litigation or when a party should have known that the evidence may be relevant to future litigation." Fujitsu Ltd. v. Fed. Exp. Corp., 247 F.3d 423, 436 (2d Cir.2001); see also Kronisch v. United States, 150 F.3d 112, 126 (2d Cir.1998) (The "obligation to preserve evidence arises when the party has notice that the evidence is relevant to litigation — most commonly when suit has already been filed, providing the party responsible for the destruction with express notice, but also on occasion in other circumstances, as for example when a party should have known that the evidence may be relevant to future litigation.").
Defendants argue that Plaintiff's claim fails because Sealift was not in sole control of the evidence Plaintiff seeks. (Def. Spoliation Mem. 4.) At issue are overtime sheets for November 2007, copies of which Plaintiff contends he never received. (Pl. Decl. ¶ 5.) Although it was common practice for employees to receive copies of all overtime statements upon disembarking a vessel, Plaintiff believes that he never received copies of his November 2007 overtime statements because of the irregularity of his departure following his injury. (Id.) Plaintiff explains that during his deposition he believed that he had such records, (see Pl. Dep. 169:6-8), based on the custom of obtaining copies upon disembarkation, but subsequently discovered that he did not possess the November 2007 overtime sheets, (id. ¶ 5). The Court accepts Plaintiff's representation that he misspoke during his deposition. Therefore, Defendants were in sole possession of the evidence at issue and cannot escape potential sanction based on the possibility that Plaintiff also had copies.
Defendants further argue that Sealift had no reason to believe that Plaintiff was injured due to "fatigue," and therefore had no reason to preserve these records. (Def. Spoliation Mem. 5.) For support, Defendants rely on deposition testimony where
"Even where the preservation obligation has been breached, sanctions will only be warranted if the party responsible for the loss had a sufficiently culpable state of mind." Estate of Jackson v. Cnty. of Suffolk, No. 12-CV-1455, 2014 WL 1342957, at *11 (E.D.N.Y. Mar. 31, 2014) (quoting In re WRT Energy Sec. Litig., 246 F.R.D. 185, 195 (S.D.N.Y.2007)). Failures to preserve evidence "occur along a continuum of fault — ranging from innocence through the degrees of negligence to intentionality." Reilly v. Natwest Markets Grp. Inc., 181 F.3d 253, 267 (2d Cir.1999) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). A culpable state of mind "must, at a minimum, constitute simple negligence." Dataflow, Inc. v. Peerless Ins. Co., No. 11-CV-1127, 2013 WL 6992130, at *6 (N.D.N.Y. June 6, 2013) (quoting Wade v. Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc., 686 F.Supp.2d 174, 194-95 (N.D.N.Y.2009)), report and recommendation adopted in pertinent part, No. 11-CV-1127, 2014 WL 148685 (N.D.N.Y. Jan. 13, 2014); Liberman v. FedEx Ground Package Sys., Inc., No. 09-CV-2423, 2011 WL 145474, at *4 (E.D.N.Y. Jan. 18, 2011) ("A `culpable state of mind' can mean `knowingly, even if without intent to breach a duty to preserve [the evidence], or negligently.'" (alteration in original) (quoting Residential Funding Corp., 306 F.3d at 108)).
Plaintiff argues that once on notice of litigation, the failure to issue a written litigation hold constitutes gross negligence. (Pl. Spoliation Mem. 5.) However, Plaintiff fails to acknowledge that gross negligence for failure to issue a written litigation hold will only arise once a duty to preserve attaches. See Toussie v. County of Suffolk, No. 01-CV-6716, 2007 WL 4565160, at *7 (E.D.N.Y. Dec. 21, 2007) ("[O]nce the duty to preserve attaches, at a minimum, a litigant is expected to `suspend its routine document and retention/destruction policy and to put in place a litigation hold.'" (quoting Zubulake v. UBS Warburg LLC, 220 F.R.D. 212, 218 (S.D.N.Y.2003))). Here, any plausible duty to preserve ended with the March 2008 settlement. Defendants argue that Sealift was not grossly negligent in failing to preserving Plaintiff's overtime sheets because there was no duty to preserve
For the foregoing reasons, the Court grants Defendants' motion for summary judgment and denies the parties' cross-motions for sanctions based on spoliation of evidence. The Clerk of Court is directed to close this case.
SO ORDERED.
As Plaintiff admits, Plaintiff was due maintenance payments at a rate of $8 per day. (Def. Reply 2; Def. 56.1 ¶ 4; Pl. 56.1 ¶ 4.) Plaintiff was only owed $672 through March 24, 2008, the date Plaintiff submitted a fit for duty report. It is implausible that Plaintiff believed that Defendants offered $15,000.00 for maintenance when Plaintiff knew that he was only owed $8 per day for said benefit, and less than $800.00 at the time he cashed the Settlement Check. Additionally, it is implausible that $15,000.00 could cover outstanding cure as Plaintiff has submitted no evidence that, at the time of the negotiations, Plaintiff had any outstanding medical debt. Furthermore, Plaintiff cashed the Settlement Check on March 14, 2008, and the only medical records Plaintiff submits to the Court reflect costs incurred on August 20, 2009 and February 17, 2010, (Baptist Health itemized bills, annexed to Fenelon Decl. as Ex. 2), over a year after Plaintiff accepted and cashed the check for $15,000.00. Notably, Plaintiff does not assert that he submitted any bills or that any bills were rejected by Defendants. See Messier v. Bouchard Transp., 688 F.3d 78, 81 (2d Cir.2012) ("The obligation to provide maintenance and cure payments, however, does not furnish the seaman with a source of lifetime or long-term disability income." (citation and internal quotation marks omitted)), as amended (Aug. 15, 2012); Mahramas v. Am. Exp. Isbrandtsen Lines, Inc., 475 F.2d 165, 172 (2d Cir.1973) ("The duty to provide maintenance and cure is imposed to safeguard the seaman from the danger of illness without succor, but it does not extend beyond the seaman's need." (citation and internal quotation marks omitted)). At oral argument, Plaintiff's counsel suggested that Defendant also owed outstanding lost wages. However, there is no evidence in the record to support this assertion. Moreover, Plaintiff's Complaint only alleges unpaid maintenance and cure, not unpaid wages. (Docket Entry No. 1.) Plaintiff's failure to allege unpaid wages in the Complaint, in addition to unpaid maintenance, which was contractually set at $8.00 per day, undercuts the unsupported allegation that Plaintiff was owed unpaid wages. See Padilla v. Maersk Line, Ltd., 603 F.Supp.2d 616, 630 (S.D.N.Y.2009) ("Unlike maintenance and cure which may extend for a reasonable period beyond the expiration of the voyage until the point of maximum cure attainable has been reached, wages cease with the end of the voyage or the end of the engagement (whichever properly can be considered as the terminal point) and cannot extend beyond such period of time."), aff'd, 721 F.3d 77 (2d Cir.2013).
