Stearns v. Love Drilling Co.

In this action the plaintiff, Lucinda Stearns, seeks to recover compensation under the State Employers’ Liability statute (Act No. 20 of 1914) for the death of her son.

She alleged that her son, while employed by defendant, which was operating a line of barges on the Ouachita' river, was knocked from one of the barges by being struck with material which was being loaded thereon, and drowned; and defendant filed a plea to the jurisdiction of the court ratione materiae, which was sustained, and (plaintiff appeals.

The Ouachita river is admittedly a navigable stream, and under the plaintiff’s…