Universal American Barge Corp. v. J-Chem, Inc., J-Chem, Inc., Etc., Degesch America, Inc., and Fumigators, Inc.

REAVLEY, Circuit Judge:

Barge-owner Universal American Barge Corporation (“Universal”) sued corporate relatives J-Chem, Inc., Fumigators, Inc., and Degesch America, Inc., (collectively “the fumigators”) for indemnification of damages allegedly caused by the fumigators’ negligence or breach of warranty in fumigating cargo under contract with Universal. The district court relied on the final award entered in prior arbitration between Universal and the injured cargo interests to collaterally estop litigation of the fumigators’ liability and damages. The district court rejected the fumigators’…