American River Transportation Co. v. Ryan

WOOD, Circuit Judge.

When a barge pushed by a towboat owned and operated by American River Transportation Company (“Artco”) collided with a motor boat, passenger Kerrie Vesolowski was injured. After Vesolowski sued Artco for negligence in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Artco filed a complaint in federal court under the Shipowner’s Limi tation of Liability Act (“Limitation Act”), 46 U.S.C. §§ 30501 et seq., seeking exoneration from, or limitation of, liability. This appeal considers whether the district court had the authority to stay Vesolowski’s state suit while it decides if Artco is…