Opinion ID: 539878
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Apportionment of Negligence

Text: 22 Sun argues that the apportionment of 75% responsibility to it was error because the facts do not warrant that finding. Sun relies on two cases that found the seamen 80% and 50% at fault respectively. Burden v. Evansville Materials, Inc., 840 F.2d 343 (6th Cir.1988); Creel v. Drill Tender Jack Cleverly, 264 F.Supp. 98 (W.D.La.1966). Sun's position is that Mr. Kelley should be treated in a similarly harsh manner due to his skill, experience, and the nature of his responsibilities. Appellant's Br. at 29. For his part, Mr. Kelley argues that the court's apportionment of 25% liability to him is in error, because 1) Gray checked the hook, 2) Gray failed to re-check the hook in the moments between the first and second pull, 3) Mr. Kelley could not supervise Gray because his vision was blocked, and 4) Mr. Kelley was justified in relying on the abilities of Gray, an experienced deckhand. 23 The findings of the district court cannot be overturned unless they are clearly erroneous. Fed.R.Civ.P. 52(a); see also Anderson v. City of Bessemer City, 470 U.S. 564, 573, 105 S.Ct. 1504, 1511, 84 L.Ed.2d 518 (1985). The parties in Burden also requested on appeal that the district court's allocation of responsibility be put aside. The Sixth Circuit declined to do so because of the deference accorded to the findings of the trial court: 24 In light of this testimony [expert testimony about the injury], and because the trial judge, sitting as a factfinder, was entitled to use his own experience and common sense in determining the relative safety of throwing a heavy weight and carrying such a weight on the shoulder, we cannot say that the district court's findings were clearly erroneous. 25 840 F.2d at 348. 26 We believe that the district court did not commit error in apportioning the liability in this case. The court heard testimony by Gray and Mr. Kelley, and by experts who commented about ship procedures and the functions (and dangers) of the pelican hooks used by Gray and Mr. Kelley. We cannot say that the district court was clearly erroneous in making its determination based on this evidence.