United States v. Carroll Towing Co. (case)

United States v. Carroll Towing Co. is a landmark case from 1947 that established the concept of "negligence" in maritime law. It involved a barge that broke away from its tugboat during a storm, causing damage. The court found that the tugboat operator was negligent because it failed to ensure the barge was properly secured. The ruling emphasized the need for reasonable care based on the situation's risks, introducing the "Hand formula," which weighs the burden of taking precautions against the potential harm. This case is significant in shaping how negligence is assessed in legal contexts.