Question

A small cruise ship struck a whale swimming underwater, causing the ship to suddenly lurch sideways. A passenger on the ship who was walking down a corridor lost his balance and bumped his head on the edge of a doorway. Because of a previously existing medical condition that made him susceptible to bleeding on the brain, he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and permanent mental impairment, despite prompt medical attention on the ship. The passenger brought suit against the cruise ship owner for his damages. At trial, the passenger presented evidence of how he was injured as he walked down the hallway, his previous medical condition, and his medical expenses and other damages. The cruise ship owner presented evidence that the cruise ship was following its approved route and that the whale could not have been detected before impact, and that the bump would not have injured someone in ordinary health. At the close of the evidence, the cruise ship owner moved for a directed verdict. How should the court rule

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Grant the motion, because there is no evidence that the crew operated the ship negligently.

Explanation:

The cruse ship owner's request for a directed verdict should be granted because from the evidences produced by two parties, there is no established piece of evidence that the passenger's permanent state has of health resulting from his fall while walking through the passage of the cruise ship was due to the cruise ship's negligent control or operation. The supporting evidences are so clear that the issuing a directed verdict in this case is logical as no reasonable jury presented with the evidences produced would rule otherwise.