Sentence:  Historically, the courts have allowed a general <WSD>average</WSD> claim only where the loss occurred as a result of the ship being in immediate peril....The court awarded the carrier the general <WSD>average</WSD> claim. It noted that “a ship′s master should not be discouraged from taking timely action to avert a disaster,” and need not be in actual peril to claim general <WSD>average</WSD>. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Financial loss due to damage to transported goods; compensation for damage or loss. (from 15th c.)