Johnson v. Arctic Storm Inc.

MEMORANDUM *

After slipping and falling off a ladder on a boat, Plaintiff Justin Johnson (“Johnson”) sued Defendants Arctic Storm, Inc. and Sea Storm Fisheries, Inc. (collectively, “Arctic Storm”), alleging negligence under *800 the Jones Act due to (1) the condition of the ladder from which he fell, (2) the failure to train him regarding the proper method of using the ladder, and (3) the failure to train him regarding the proper method of greasing the winches. Johnson also alleged that the condition of the ladder made the vessel unseaworthy. After conducting a bench trial and issuing findings of fact and conclusions of law, the district court entered judgment in favor of Arctic Storm on all counts. Johnson timely appeals from the judgment. The district court had original jurisdiction over this admiralty case pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1333 , and we have appellate jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 . We affirm the district court on all counts.

I

Ample evidence supports the district court’s finding that the condition of the ladder was not “unreasonably greasy or otherwise dangerous” prior to the February 8 accident. All of the evidence adduced by Johnson that the ladder…