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Central State Transit & Leasing Corporation v. Jones Boat Yard, Incorporated, Jones Drydock Service, Incorporated, Defendants-Cross-Claimants-Cross- Conrad Industries, Incorporated, Defendant-Cross-Defendant-Cross-Claimant-Appellee

Citation: 77 F.3d 376Docket: 94-4574

Court: Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit; March 7, 1996; Federal Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

The case involves a lawsuit by Central State Transit Leasing Corporation, the plaintiff-appellant, seeking damages for harm to its yacht, the Blackhawk, allegedly caused during operations by defendants Jones Boat Yard, Inc., Jones Drydock Service, Inc., and Conrad Industries, Inc. The plaintiff initially pursued repair costs and later added a claim for loss of use. The district court granted partial summary judgment to the defendants on the loss of use claim, citing the plaintiff's failure to demonstrate lost profits or additional expenses with certainty. The plaintiff's motion to amend this decision was denied, leading to an appeal. However, the appellate court, referencing 28 U.S.C. § 1292(a)(3), dismissed the appeal on the grounds that the partial summary judgment did not resolve the main issue of liability, thus rendering it non-appealable at this stage. The court concluded that the plaintiff could only contest this judgment after final judgment was entered, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

Legal Issues Addressed

Interlocutory Appeals in Admiralty Cases

Application: The appellate court determined that the district court's order did not resolve the main issue of liability, and thus was not subject to interlocutory appeal under 28 U.S.C. § 1292(a)(3).

Reasoning: The appellate court clarified that under 28 U.S.C. § 1292(a)(3), interlocutory decrees in admiralty cases are appealable only if they determine the rights and liabilities of the parties.

Loss of Use Damages in Admiralty Law

Application: The district court granted partial summary judgment on the loss of use claim, as the plaintiff failed to demonstrate lost profits or additional expenses with certainty.

Reasoning: The district court granted the defendants' motion for partial summary judgment on the loss of use claim, reasoning that the plaintiff had not demonstrated lost profits or additional expenses during repairs and concluded that damages could not be determined with certainty.