Daniel F. Daigle v. Point Landing, Inc.

RONEY, Circuit Judge:

In this rather unusual maritime personal injury case, we reverse the trial court’s decision for the plaintiff. In a bifurcated trial on the issue of liability alone, the court made findings of fact which are virtually uncontested on appeal. We therefore set forth in full the findings of fact of the trial court and the conclusion of law which fixed liability on the defendant, and discuss why this conclusion of law was wrong under the circumstances.

Trial Court’s Findings of Fact

1. On September 19, 1972, the towboat HARRY COLLINS, owned and operated by defendant Point…