Davis v. Matson Navigation Co.

Appellant brought this action against respondent to recover damages for personal injuries suffered by him when he slipped and fell on grease which was covered with sawdust while he was working as a longshoreman on the deck of respondent’s ship, the S. S. Hawaiian Packer. At trial he dismissed his claim based on negligence, and the action then proceeded on the theory that, at the time of injury, the vessel was unseaworthy and that this condition caused appellant’s injury and damage. Jury trial was waived. At the close of the evidence the trial judge found that (1) appellant fell while working…