John E. Brittain & others v. United States Lines Inc. & others - U.S. Court of Appeals (Second Circuit) (Newman, Kearse and Cardamone C.JJ.) - 13 September 1988

U.S. Court defers to High Court of Singapore

In November 1986, United States Lines Inc. filed for protection under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court. There were, at the time, claims outstanding against the debtor by four seamen who were injured in separate incidents during 1985 and 1986 while abroad three different vessels of the debtor. The seamen asserted claims of $1 million, $800,000, $600,000 and $22,000. The injuries were covered by insurance policies of the debtor, but subject to an amount of $100,000 deductible per case. The policies contained a provision that if the insured could not satisfy the deductible, the insurer was not liable at all.