Union Oil Co. of California v. Richard

DIES, Chief Justice.

Plaintiff below, E. J. Richard, brought suit against defendant, Union Oil Company *957of California — under the Jones Act, 46 U.S. C.A. § 688 at 21 (1975) — alleging injury as a seaman aboard the tanker SS DAVID D. IRWIN. Trial was to a jury which found for plaintiff and from which defendant— appellant — appeals. The parties will be referred to as they were below.

Defendant’s first point complains of the trial court’s refusal to give certain instructions in his charge. These were: defendant is not obligated to provide an accident-proof ship the mere occurrence of an accident…