Kernan v. American Dredging Co.
United States Supreme Court
355 U.S. 426, 78 S. Ct. 394, 2 L. Ed. 2d 382 (1958)
- Written by Daniel Clark, JD
Facts
Mr. Kernan was a seaman on a tug operating on a river in Philadelphia. On the deck of the tug, an open-flame lamp hung less than three feet above the surface of the water. The lamp’s placement violated a federal navigation regulation that required such lamps to be at least eight feet above the water. The purpose of the regulation was to aid in navigation and prevent collisions between vessels. The lamp ignited oil vapors wafting over the river’s surface. Kernan died in the resulting fire. Kernan’s widow and dependents (plaintiffs) filed a wrongful-death action against Kernan’s employer (defendant) under the Jones Act. The district court denied the claim, and the court of appeals affirmed. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Brennan, J.)
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