Steere Tank Lines, Inc. v. United States

GOLDBERG, Circuit Judge:

This case originated with a suit by Roy A. Mott against ODECO to recover damages for injuries sustained when Mott fell from a defective ladder joining two levels of an offshore oil production platform owned by ODECO. ODECO denied liability and, in addition, impleaded Quality Equipment, Inc. (Quality), Mott’s employer on the date of the accident, claiming a right to indemnification under a provision of the Master Service Agreement between the two companies.

The district court granted a directed verdict in favor of Mott, holding that ODECO was strictly liable to Mott…