Lawrence F. Crooks v. United States

459 F.2d 631 Lawrence F. CROOKS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. UNITED STATES of America, Defendant-Appellant. No. 25056. United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. April 20, 1972. Howard J. Privett, Jack D. Fudge, of McCutchen, Black, Verleger & Shea, William Matthew Byrne, Jr., U. S. Atty., Los Angeles, Cal., Lawrence F. Ledebur, Chief, Admiralty & Shipping Sect., Washington, D.C., for defendant-appellant. Margolis, McTernan, Smith, Scope & Herring, Los Angeles, Cal., for plaintiff-appellee. Allan Brotsky, of Garry, Dreyfus, McTernan & Brotsky, San Francisco, Cal., as amicus curiae for plaintiff-appellee. Before MERRILL, KILKENNY and TRASK, Circuit Judges. MERRILL, Circuit Judge. 1 Appellee brought this action in admiralty against the United States, claiming damages for personal injuries resulting from negligence and unseaworthiness sustained by him in an accident which occurred aboard the SS Green Point, a public vessel owned by the United States. In the same action he also sought recovery for cost of maintenance during the period of his disability. 2 The District Court found negligence and unseaworthiness and awarded damages in the sum of $16,773.40, including past…