Scott Nelson was a first mate on a vessel taking soundings for oil off the coast of Texas. He severely injured his lower back when a supply boat was brought out to physically hand off large boxes of groceries to the crew. Standard and safe procedure required that loading either be done at the dock or with the assistance of a crane. A jury returned a $960,000 verdict in Nelson's favor. The amount was reduced to $700,000 because of a small percentage of negligence attributed to Nelson.