Simmons v. Sea-Land Services, Inc.

K. K. HALL, Circuit Judge:

These consolidated appeals involve common issues of law regarding a longshoreman’s right to sue third parties pursuant to the Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, 33 U.S.C. §§ 901 et seq. For the reasons expressed herein, we affirm the decision of the district court.

Each of these cases involves a longshoreman who was injured on the job and who accepted compensation benefits without contravention by their employers. Each longshoreman later brought an action against an allegedly negligent shipowner pursuant to 33 U-S.C. § 905(b). In each case the…