Torts Keyed to Epstein
Vincent v. Lake Erie Transportation Co.
ProfessorMelissa A. Hale
CaseCast™ – "What you need to know"
Facts
Defendant tied their steamship to a dock owned by Plaintiff. The steamship was at the Plaintiff’s dock to unload cargo. While the cargo was being unloaded, a storm started to build. After the cargo had been unloaded, the storm became so violent that navigation was practically suspended. Defendant signaled for a tug to tow the steamship from the dock but no tug was available because of the storm. The Defendant’s steamship remained tied to Plaintiff’s dock. If the steamship had been untied, it would have drifted to sea. The storm threw the steamship into Plaintiff’s dock causing damage to the dock. The jury awarded Plaintiff $500 for the damage done to the dock. Defendant appealed.
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