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Dock worker
awarded $625,000
in injury case

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Star-Bulletin staff

A November maritime personal injury case in federal court resulted in a $625,552.23 award this week to Samuel T. Dollente, a Young Brothers longshoreman. Dollente was injured May 21, 1997, when a forklift he was operating fell about five feet to the dock below, resulting in back injuries.

The fall, at Pier 39-D in Honolulu Harbor, resulted when a ramp collapsed under the forklift after pins holding the ramp in place between the pier and a barge snapped.

In addition to Young Brothers, Hawaiian Tug and Barge also was a defendant. The court held that both could have taken steps to remedy the dangerous condition leading to the accident and both were liable for injury and pain Dollente experienced resulting from the accident.

The breakdown in court-ordered damage payments was $58,774.23 for medical expenses, $133,421 for past wage loss; $308,357 for future wage loss; and $125,000 in general damages for pain and suffering.