A Puerto Rican court has reversed a lower court's decision in a case involving Sterling Nieves Román, who suffered a life-altering injury at the Crash Boat beach in Aguadilla. The ruling, issued on August 18, 2026, allows Román to amend his claims against the municipality and other defendants, which could significantly impact his pursuit of damages. This case highlights the complexities of legal procedures surrounding personal injury claims in Puerto Rico.
The case, docketed as TA2026AP00418, stems from an incident that occurred on August 16, 2014, when Román was just 14 years old. He dove off a pier into the water and suffered a severe injury that left him paraplegic. Román's lawsuit claimed there were no warning signs about the dangers of diving from the piers, nor were there lifeguards present. He argued that the municipality and other entities were responsible for ensuring safety at the beach.
Román filed his initial lawsuit in August 2022 against the Municipality of Aguadilla, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA), the Port Authority, and two insurance companies. The defendants responded by denying most of the allegations and asserting that the case should be paused due to the provisions of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA), which provides for an automatic stay of lawsuits against the government during its bankruptcy proceedings.
The case reached the Court of Appeals after the lower court ruled in favor of the defendants on March 6, 2026, granting their motion to suspend the case due to lack of jurisdiction under PROMESA. The court stated that the case involved a monetary claim against the government, which fell under the protections of PROMESA, effectively halting all proceedings.
In its ruling, the Court of Appeals, led by Judge Grana Martínez, found that the lower court had erred in its decision. The court stated, "The automatic stay cannot operate against them," referring to the claims made by Román, which arose after the automatic stay had been lifted. The court emphasized that the claims were permissible under the law governing claims against the state, which allows for limited monetary damages.
Furthermore, the Court of Appeals criticized the lower court for not allowing Román to amend his complaint to limit the amount he sought from the government, which would align with the statutory limits established for claims against the state. The appellate court ruled that the lower court should have allowed the amendment, stating that it would not prejudice the defendants and would enable the case to proceed fairly.
The ruling is significant as it reopens the door for Román to pursue his claims against the defendants, potentially leading to a resolution of his case. The court's decision underscores the importance of ensuring that individuals have access to legal remedies, especially in cases involving serious injuries.
The impact of this ruling extends beyond Román's case. It clarifies the application of PROMESA in personal injury claims and reinforces the principle that individuals should not be barred from seeking justice due to jurisdictional technicalities. This case may set a precedent for similar future cases in Puerto Rico, where individuals seek to hold government entities accountable for negligence.
Moving forward, Román's legal team will likely prepare to amend the complaint as permitted by the appellate court. The defendants may also need to reassess their strategies in light of the court's ruling. The case could still face further legal challenges, including possible appeals by the defendants, but the appellate court's decision has significantly altered the landscape of this case.
In conclusion, the Court of Appeals' ruling in Sterling Nieves Román v. Municipio De Aguadilla y Otros marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battle for accountability and justice in personal injury cases in Puerto Rico. The court's emphasis on allowing claims to proceed despite jurisdictional challenges reflects a commitment to ensuring access to justice for individuals who have suffered significant injuries.