Document: 364 U.S. 325 81 S.Ct. 6 5 L.Ed.2d 20 Thomas MICHALIC, Petitioner,v.CLEVELAND TANKERS, INC. No. 31. Argued Oct. 20, 1960. Decided Nov. 7, Mr. Harvey Goldstein, Las Vegas, Nev., S. Eldridge Sampliner, Cleveland, Ohio, for petitioner. Lucian Y. Ray, respondent. Justice BRENNAN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The petitioner asks damages personal injuries he allegedly sustained in a shipboard accident while crew member aboard respondent's Great Lakes vessel, tanker Orion. His complaint alleges liability both negligence under Jones Act, 46 U.S.C. § 688, U.S.C.A. and unseaworthiness general maritime law;1 claim maintenance cure is also alleged. parties settled at trial, which was before jury District Court Northern Ohio. Judgment entered respondent on Act claims upon verdict directed by trial judge ground insufficiency evidence. Appeals Sixth Circuit affirmed. 271 F.2d 194. We granted certiorari, 362 909, 80 661, 4 618. 2 Michalic that December 28, 1955, two-and-one-half-pound wrench dropped his left great toe. afflicted with Buerger's disease when joined Orion three months earlier as fireman engine room. are informed testimony one medical witnesses 'is unknown origin * it produces narrowing blood supply going to foot through arteries, runs very foreseeable course; slowly progressive most cases leads loss extremities involving usually legs'; drop 'a hammer toe serious thing frequently amputation. Because circulation already impaired wound will not heal properly, any appreciable trauma lead gangrene.' 3 did report time but continued working until January 6, 1956, week later, vessel laid up winter. Meanwhile treated every night after work hot water Epsom salts. He home from March 15 used boric acid soaks 'practically day.' called back 15. On April 1, reported Orion's captain '(m)y leg so bad, painful, I couldn't take no more *. want hospital ticket.' gave him ticket filling out stated told 'While pumpman pumproom man said has been sore ever since.' This first notice had accident. At April, diagnosis made 'an infected nail gangrene secondary Disease.' During spring amputations were performed leg. toe, next below knee then part above knee. Medical experts, behalf respondent, differed whether, assuming Michalic's there causal connection between amputations. plainly presented question jury's determination. Sentilles v. Inter-Caribbean Corp., 361 107, 173, A.L.R.2d 142, we do understand contends otherwise. basic dispute sufficiency proofs justify finding reason furnished reasonably fit its intended use. Here distinction should be noticed this regard. vessel's duty furnish seamen tools their use absolute, Mahnich Southern S.S. Co., 321 96, 64 455, 88 L.Ed. 561; Seas Shipping Co. Sieracki, 328 85, 66 872, 90 1099; Osceola, 189 158, 23 483, 47 760; Cox Esso Cir., 247 629; completely independent owner's exercise reasonable care. Mitchell Trawler Racer, Inc., 539, 926, 941. differences supra: 'One an absolute duty, other due Where ultimate issue (is) seaworthiness gear owner suitable appliances. If does not, amount care or prudence excuses him, whether knew, could have known, deficiency outset In contrast, concept, only care, i.e., prudence, select keep order Defects would known prudent person outset, arose ought discovered impose liability.' F.2d, page 637. 7 Thus single raise appliance task assigned. To support claim, however, evidence must sufficient failed furnishing appliance. 8 using unscrew nuts bolts casing centrifugal pump pumproom. assigned assistant engineer sent room help ready pumps winter lay-up. There about twenty-five 5/8 tightly secured casing. straight-end weighing two one-half pounds ten eleven inches long, mallet. located alongside some catwalk, step down catwalk reach required gripping each nut claw hammering side mallet apply pressure loosen it. removed all few 'had hold nut' 'I hit (the wrench) slipped off came my big Yes, she smashed toe.' 9 play prevented tight grip nut, thus entitling determination negligently defective wrench, claim. viewed light favorable follows: kept toolbox being prepared four five years old. danger fire, tools, including used, special spark-proof alloy. second mate, who 19,2 testified bronze because 'Bronze non-striking.' It practice inspect replace worn ones lay-up time, say inspection 1955; 'It be' looked nine 28. mate beaten battered, perhaps time.' 'old beat-up chewed end.' started 'the slipping nuts; them.' hard loosening them off.' protested 'This keeps off,' answered 'Never mind that, job best you can.' 10 found insufficient present appliance, 'on theory never mention case *.' took same view, saying 'There open jaw end way deficient (t)he fact consequence condition handle wrench.' 199. think lower courts erred. True, direct Jacob New York City, 315 752, 754, 62 854, 855, 86 1166. But required. Circumstantial sufficient, may certain, satisfying persuasive than Rogers Missouri Pacific R. 352 500, 508, 77 443, 449, 493, note 17.3 jury, record, inferences permissible own inspections necessary alloy wear effectiveness, repeatedly properly them. Plainly reason, infer colloquy pumpman, slipping, related function caused slip off. sufficed questions claims. matter evidence, grounds probability, attribute result causes supra, 506, 448.4 11 double-barreled. adds charge negligent failure provide safe place wrench. However, tried, nor argued here, basis failing rests solely tending show cramped poorly lighted space, regardless suitability contrary, makes charge, arguing effect described conditions increased hazard Under theory, relevance act injury. Phrasing therefore nothing case, entitled submitted additional alleged liability. 12 judgment reversed cause remanded new trial. ordered. 13 14 For reasons set forth 524, 459, MR. JUSTICE FRANKFURTER view writ certiorari improvidently granted. HARLAN whom WHITTAKER STEWART join, dissenting. 16 opening Term finds Court's docket crowded important difficult litigation many years, without irony witnessing among matters heard routine (and unseaworthiness)1 issues fact. continue believe such cases, distressing they unsuccessful plaintiffs, belong See dissenting opinions pages 559, 478. 17 Court, Appeals, manifests conscientious effort follow precepts unanimously affirmed, painstaking assessment record. My examination record convinces me warrant overriding views courts. 18 core petitioner's unsafe-place-to-work having evaporated thin air, recognizes. Having abandon original teeth (since toothless), (1) instrument end' (whether appear); (2) various times during operation (albeit successfully mishap). 19 While stating 'there wrench,' seems recognize suffice actionable flaw nonetheless concludes permitted one, factors. These mate's days accident,2 battered' handle, anywhere else, which, read opinion, takes establishing old infrequently inspected. (Actually shows inspected just handed petitioner.3) Judged standard fragmentized synthesized please, make jury. factors relies add inherent deficiencies itself either unseaworthiness. rationalize 'into being' sort wrenches indeed become dangerous weapons those operating vessels Lakes. rule means FELA cases4 deprived significant control over verdicts, juries allowed roam large, federal told. Harris Pennsylvania 15, 25, 22, 29, (dissenting opinion). least better continuing require operate what atmosphere increasing bewilderment expected these cases. 21 affirm. tried here raising law. need concerned confusing language pleading negligence. ordered stricken appeared 19. nevertheless considered far tools. 196. action correct witnesses, 28 prior rested partly supposed variance proof unseaworthy defective.' (Emphasis supplied.) smooth-faced teeth. see fatal event waived reliance expressly disclaiming surprise invoke jurisdiction diversity citizenship. law court 'pendent' Act. Romero International Terminal Operating 358 354, 380 381, 79 468, 484—485, 368. reserved Romero, 485—whether submit jury—is case. 1873, 1873. Troupe Chicago, D. & G. Bay Transit 234 253; Western States, 159 F. 354; Jenkins Roderick, D.C., 156 F.Supp. 299. 325, 8. exact date obscure. Petitioner six claimed occurred. master respect company form: 'Q. How arrive 1955? A. Well, merely arbitrary date. kind reckon form) up. 1st following. December. 21st, period. 'The Court: That plaintiff gave. Were day, 28? Witness: Not recollection, sir, typed Michalic, plaintiff, approximate didn't really know exactly been.' helping, procured before; once year; taking tool chest day question. involved, incorporates standards Federal Employers' Liability 45 51 et seq.

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