Zimmerman v. West Coast Trans-Oceanic Steamship Lines

The plaintiff, an able seaman on the SS Columbia Trader, brought an action at law under the Jones Act (Title 46 USCA, § 688) against the defendant West Coast Trans-Oceanie Steamship Line, a corporation, for damages on account of an injury to his back. Verdict and judgment were for the plaintiff, and defendant appeals.

The injury is alleged to have been suffered while plaintiff was engaged with the bosun in raising a hatch leaf from the lower hold of the vessel to the deck above called the ’tween deck. The hatch leaf was raised by means of a rope, or hand line, which was pulled by the plaintiff…