Opinion ID: 445053
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the unseaworthiness claim under general maritime law

Text: 36 We also hold that the district court correctly concluded that Albertson's cause of action for unseaworthiness was barred by the equitable doctrine of laches. A finding of laches is normally an exercise of discretion in the trial court and bars an action where the plaintiff's inexcusable delay in filing a suit results in prejudice to the defendant. Gardner v. Panama Railroad, 342 U.S. 29, 30, 72 S.Ct. 12, 13, 96 L.Ed. 31 (1951). 37 The time period within which an action for unseaworthiness may be commenced is governed by the analogous Jones Act statute of limitations. Watz v. Zapata Off-Shore Co., 431 F.2d 100, 111 (5th Cir.1970). Once the Jones Act statute of limitations has run, a presumption of laches arises and the burden shifts to the plaintiff to demonstrate that his delay was excusable and that the defendant was not prejudiced thereby. Id. With respect to the first showing, Albertson alleges merely that his conduct was excusable because he did not realize the full extent of his injuries. As we have previously set out, Albertson was put on notice that he was harmed to such an extent that he continuously suffered from headaches, nausea, and blackouts and that his poor medical condition required the decertification of his fitness for sea duty status. We find that such notice was sufficient to compel Albertson to initiate his unseaworthiness suit at that time rather than over twelve years later. With respect to the second showing, Albertson failed completely to demonstrate that Stevenson would not be prejudiced by this suit. The uncontested affidavit of Stevenson's vice-president established that Stevenson had a uniform policy of retaining records, logs, and other reports of a particular voyage for a period of only ten years, and that all such records, reports, and logs for the 1968-1969 voyage of the S.S. ST. JOAN had been destroyed approximately three years before Albertson initiated this suit. Albertson's dilatoriness prevented Stevenson from preserving the documents and thus seriously undermined Stevenson's defense. Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in determining that Albertson's unseaworthiness claim was barred by the doctrine of laches. 38 Albertson's claims are barred by limitations and laches as the district court held. 39 AFFIRMED.