Huch v. S.J. Groves & Sons, Inc.

Plaintiff, Merril M. Huch, filed an action in the circuit court of Madison County to recover damages from defendant, S.J. Groves and Sons, Inc., d/b/a Lock 26 Constructors, for personal injuries he sustained in the course of his employment. Plaintiff brought his action pursuant to 46 U.S.C.A. §688 (West 1975), commonly known as the Jones Act. Following certain pretrial discovery, defendant moved for summary judgment on the grounds that plaintiff was not a “seaman” and therefore was not entitled to sue under the Jones Act. Defendant’s motion was granted, and judgment was entered in its favor.…