Source: http://www.accident-lawyer-hawaii.com/vii-f-3.html
Timestamp: 2018-01-20 11:02:36
Document Index: 295093827

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 181', '§ 688', '§ 688', '§ 688', '§ 688', '§ 688', '§ 688', '§ 688', '§ 688', '§ 688', '§ 51', '§ 688']

VII. PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE F. Pleadings and Motions 3. Motions - Maritime Lawyer Hawaii
VII. PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE F. Pleadings and Motions 3. Motions
Pendency of limitation of liability action under 46 USCS Appx § § 181 et seq. is grounds for continuance of state court action by seaman under 46 USCS Appx § 688 where both actions involve same incident. Reid v Crain Bros. (1961, La App 3rd Cir) 134 So 2d 917.
State of law applicable to maritime oil workers has developed to point where it is proper in appropriate Jones Act (46 USCS Appx § 688) case for district judge to direct verdict on status of offshore worker as seaman under § 688. Marine Drilling Co. v Autin (1966, CA5 La) 363 F2d 579.
In Jones Act (46 USCS Appx § 688) case, trial court can direct jury verdict against seaman only in those extremely rare instances where there is zero probability either of employer negligence or that any such negligence contributed to injury of seaman. Southard v Independent Towing Co. (1971, CA3 Pa) 453 F2d 1115.
Reasonable man standard in ruling on motions for directed verdict does not apply to 46 USCS Appx § 688 claim; in § 688 cases more severe FELA standard is held appropriate. Allen v Seacoast Products, Inc. (1980, CA5 La) 623 F2d 355, 6 Fed Rules Evid Serv 536 (disagreed with by multiple cases as stated in Nix v Kansas City S. R. Co. (CA5 Tex) 776 F2d 510).
Court can direct verdict or grant judgment n. o. v. on 46 USCS Appx § 688 count only where there is complete absence of probative facts supporting non-movant's position. Gaspard v Taylor Diving & Salvage Co. (1981, CA5 La) 649 F2d 372, reh den (CA5 La) 656 F2d 700 and cert den 455 US 907, 71 L Ed 2d 445, 102 S Ct 1252. Springborn v American Commercial Barge Lines, Inc. (1985, CA5 La) 767 F2d 89 (disagreed with by multiple cases as stated in Nix v Kansas City S. R. Co. (CA5 Tex) 776 F2d 510).
In 46 USCS Appx § 688 action court may not use "reasonable minds" standard to determine directed verdict. Lambert v Diamond M Drilling Co. (1982, CA5 La) 683 F2d 935, reh den (CA5 La) 688 F2d 1023.
Jones Act (46 USCS Appx § 688) incorporates FELA (45 USCS § § 51 et seq.) standard, under which directed verdict against plaintiff is proper only when there is complete absence of probative facts; however, extremely low evidentiary standard applies only to questions of liability or damages once claim is within Jones Act; FELA standard is not applicable to threshold issue of seaman status. Wallace v Oceaneering International (1984, CA5 La) 727 F2d 427.
Inquiry whether employee is seaman within meaning of 46 USCS Appx § 688(a)) is mixed question of law and fact, and it often will be inappropriate to take question from jury; nevertheless, summary judgment or directed verdict is mandated where facts and law will reasonably support only one conclusion. Harbor Tug & Barge Co. v Papai (1997, US) 137 L Ed 2d 800, 117 S Ct 1535, 97 CDOS 3507, 97 Daily Journal DAR 6021, 1997 AMC 1817, 10 FLW Fed S 433.