Bondi Shipping Corp Steered Its Ship, the Surf, into a Dock

question 55

Essay

Bondi Shipping Corp steered its ship, The Surf, into a dock that was owned by Bradman Inc. Bondi intended to make certain repairs to The Surf. During the course of those repairs, Bondi's employees carelessly allowed a chemical, known as australite, to leak into the water surrounding the dock. The australite, which floated on the surface of the water, caught fire after sparks from a welding gun that Bondi's employees were using fell into the water and onto the australite. The flames spread quickly and Bradman's dock was entirely destroyed. The total cost of the damage is $2 000 000. The court has found that Bondi is vicariously responsible for the actions of its employees, and that those employees committed the tort of negligence when they carelessly allowed australite to leak out of The Surf and onto the water. The court also found that while it is now obvious that australite is flammable in some circumstances, no one knew (or could have known) at the time of the accident that australite is flammable. Will Bondi be held liable to Bradman for compensatory damages? Provide the best explanation for your answer.

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Definitions:

Adderall

A prescription medication typically used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity.

Difficulty Taking Turns

A challenge in understanding or adhering to social norms where individuals take turns in activities or conversations.

ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.