Pearson v. Ogden Marine, Inc.

Plaintiff brought this action to recover for injuries he sustained while working as first engineer on board the SS TRAVELER, an oil tanker owned and operated by defendant. Two bases for relief were presented to the jury, negligence under the Jones Act, 46 USC § 688, and unseaworthiness under general maritime law. Defendant pled the affirmative defense of contributory negligence with respect to the first claim. The jury found the ship seaworthy, defendant negligent, plaintiff 55 percent contributorily negligent and damages totalling $15,750. The trial court, in accordance with maritime law,…