Lechic v. Compania Peruana De Vapores
A longshoreman (plaintiff), employed by Universal Marine Services, Inc., sustained injuries while unloading coffee beans from a vessel owned by the defendant. The injury occurred due to the plaintiff slipping on loose coffee beans, which were a common byproduct of the unloading process using loading hooks. Customarily, the stevedore, Universal, was responsible for hiring coopers to clean up such spills. The defendant filed a motion for summary judgment, asserting non-liability under § 5(b) of the Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Citing precedent from cases like Scindia Steam and Evans, the court affirmed that a shipowner is generally not liable for dangerous conditions arising from stevedore operations unless specific exceptions apply, such as a duty to intervene due to malfunctioning ship's gear or clear notice with anticipation of unavoidable danger. Finding no evidence of such exceptions and noting the stevedore's responsibility for cleanup, the court granted the defendant's motion for summary judgment, thereby dismissing the complaint.