Tysko v. Royal Mail Steam Packet Co.

HANEY, Circuit Judge.

In an action for personal injuries sustained by appellant as the result of a fall through an open hatch of a vessel owned by appellee, the trial court directed a verdict for appellee and entered judgment accordingly. Appellant was a longshoreman in the employ of a stevedoring company, a corporation which had entered into a contract with appellee for the loading of cargo on the vessel.

Appellant was working in the lower ’tween-decks when the accident happened. The floor of this part of the hatchway was made up principally of sixteen separate hatch covers or plugs, which…