Dayton v. Midland S. S. Lines, Inc.
Dayton v. Midland S. S. Lines, Inc.
Opinion of the Court
At the trial of this action a jury was drawn, sworn and thereafter waived, and trial was had before the Court.
On June 2, 1952, plaintiff was employed by defendant as an oiler on the Steamer John W. Davin. While in the pursuance, of orders of the engineer, plaintiff was assisting in the hauling of a barrel of oil through the gangway and was caused to strike the left side of his body against a steel pipe vise, sustaining the injuries for which he seeks to recover damages in this suit.
In the -first place this plaintiff had been employed as a seaman for at least ten years. He knew that this pipe vise, which was securely attached, was located at the' place where the injuries claimed to have been sustained by plaintiff were caused. This vise was a permanent structure on the steamer and was plainly visible' to plaintiff. While it is admitted that plaintiff 'came in contact with the pipe vise, it is claimed by defendant that any injury . sustained by plaintiff was sustained without fault of the defendant. Assumption of risk is not a defense in maritime cases. Feliu v. Grace Line, D.C., 97 F.Supp. 441. A seaman is bound to work with the equipment and appliances furnished by the employer. It is the duty of the shipowner or master, as the case may be, to supply a seaworthy vessel for its employees and this does not depend on the exercise of reasonable care, but is absolute. The H. A. Scandrett, 2 Cir., 87 F.2d 708; Koehler v. United States, D.C., 403. F.Supp. 4, 6.
Irrespective of any unseaworthiness of the vessel, or any defects of the ways, works and'machinery, it is believed, under the authorities, Beadle v. Spencer, 298 U.S. 124, 56 S.Ct. 712, 80 L.Ed. 1082 and Socony-Vacuum Oil Co. v. Smith, 305 U.S. 424, 59 S.Ct. 262, 83 L.Ed. 265, some liability must be-charged against the defendant. Since plaintiff does not -assume any risk of his employment, under the Jones Act, 46 U.S.C.A. § .688, the. damages must be based on comparative negligence of the plaintiff and defendant. As matter of fact, the injuries, in the opinion of the Court,
As to maintenance and cure the allow-anee of thirty-five days at six dollars a day, under the proof and circumstances shown here, is ample.
It is found that plaintiff acted without proper regard for his own safety and that his negligence contributed to his injuries. In accordance with the admiralty rule of comparative negligence, the measure of recovery to which plaintiff would otherwise be entitled will be reduced by seventy-five per cent. Socony-Vacuum Oil Co. v. Smith, 305 U.S. 424, 431, 59 S.Ct. 262, 83 L.Ed. 265; Palardy v. United States, D.C., 102 F. Supp. 534, 539, Bochantin v. Inland Waterways Corp., D.C., 96 F.Supp. 234; Keen v. Overseas Tankship Corp., 2 Cir., 194 F.2d 515, 519; Hawn v. Pope & Talbot, Inc., D.C., 99 F.Supp. 226. The amount of plaintiff’s damage for injuries, as so reduced, is fixed at five hundred dollars.
Let plaintiff have judgment against the defendant for $210 for maintenance and cure, and $500 for injuries.
Findings to be submitted.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- DAYTON v. MIDLAND S. S. LINES, Inc.
- Status
- Published