Case Name: Davis EBANKS, Jr. and Lisa Ebanks v. RESERVE MARINE ENTERPRISES, INC., et al.
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1993-10-15
Citations: 625 So. 2d 1050
Docket Number: No. 93-C-1707
Parties: Davis EBANKS, Jr. and Lisa Ebanks v. RESERVE MARINE ENTERPRISES, INC., et al.
Judges: LEMMON, J., would grant and docket the ease.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 625
Pages: 1050–1050

Head Matter:
Davis EBANKS, Jr. and Lisa Ebanks v. RESERVE MARINE ENTERPRISES, INC., et al.
No. 93-C-1707.
Supreme Court of Louisiana.
Oct. 15, 1993.
Rehearing Denied Nov. 12, 1993.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
Writ granted. The factual question of whether a floating structure is a vessel is to be decided by the trier of fact. Southwest Marine, Inc. v. Gizoni, 502 U.S. -, 112 S.Ct. 486, 116 L.Ed.2d 405 (1991); Ducote v. V Keeler & Co., Inc., 953 F.2d 1000 (5th Cir.1992); Orgeron v. Avondale Shipyards, Inc., 561 So.2d 38 (La.1990). Since "even marginal claims are properly left for jury determination" (Ducote, 953 F.2d at 1002), the trial court erred in holding that this crane barge was not a vessel as a matter of law. The summary judgment is reversed and the case remanded for trial on the merits.
REVERSED AND REMANDED.
LEMMON, J., would grant and docket the ease.
DENNIS, J., not on panel.