Hopson v. Texaco, Inc.

383 U.S. 262, 86 S. Ct. 765, 15 L. Ed. 2d 740 (1966)

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Hopson v. Texaco, Inc.

United States Supreme Court
383 U.S. 262, 86 S. Ct. 765, 15 L. Ed. 2d 740 (1966)

Facts

Two seamen (plaintiffs) employed by Texaco, Inc. (defendant) fell ill while working on a vessel docked in Trinidad. Federal law required Texaco to transport the incapacitated seamen to the United States Consul so that arrangements could be made to return the men to the United States. The consul’s office was 38 miles away. The master of the vessel, following Texaco’s normal procedures, hired a taxi to take the men to the consul’s office. The taxi driver drove negligently, causing an accident in which one seaman was killed and the other injured. The injured seaman and representatives of the killed seaman (plaintiffs) sued Texaco under the Jones Act. At the district-court trial, the jury awarded damages. The court of appeals reversed, holding that Texaco could not be held liable for the negligence of the taxi driver. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Per curiam)

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