Halcyon Lines v. Haen Ship. & Refitting Corp., 342 U.S. 282 (1952)

Halcyon Lines v. Haen Ship. & Refitting Corp.

Argued November 27, 1951
Decided January 14, 1952 *
342 U.S. 282

CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT

Syllabus

An employee of a shoreside contractor engaged by a shipowner to repair a ship moored in navigable waters was injured aboard the ship while engaged in making repairs. His injuries did not result from a collision. Alleging that they were caused by the shipowner’s negligence and the unseaworthiness of the ship, he sued the shipowner for damages. Claiming that the contractor’s negligence had contributed to the injuries, the shipowner brought in the contractor as a third-party defendant and urged that it be required to make contribution.

Held: The contribution proceedings against the contractor should be dismissed. Pp. 283-287.

(a) There is no established right to contribution between joint tortfeasors in such non-collision maritime injury cases. P. 284.

(b) Since Congress has enacted much legislation in the field of maritime injuries and has not approved such a rule of contribution between joint tortfeasors, it would be inappropriate for this Court to do so. Pp. 285-287.

187 F.2d 403, reversed and remanded.

The case is stated in the opinion. Reversed and remanded, p. 287.