United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Waterman S.S. Corp. v. Dugan & McNamara, Inc., 364 U.S. 421 (1960)

Waterman Steamship Corp. v. Dugan & McNamara, Inc.

No. 35

Argued October 20, 1960

Decided November 21, 1960

364 U.S. 421

Syllabus

A longshoreman employed by respondent, stevedoring contractor engaged by a consignee, sued a shipowner for personal injuries sustained aboard a ship while helping to unload its cargo. The shipowner settled the claim and sought to recover from respondent on the ground that the longshoreman's injuries resulted from respondent's failure to perform its work in a workmanlike manner.

Held: Respondent was liable to the shipowner, even though there was no privity of contract between respondent and the shipowner and regardless of whether the longshoreman's original claim was asserted in an in rem or an in personam proceeding, since respondent's warranty of workmanlike service aboard the ship was for the benefit of the ship and its owner as well as of respondent's employer. Crumady v. The J. H. Fisser, 358 U. S. 423. Pp. 364 U. S. 421-425.

272 F.2d 823 reversed.