Terrebonne Fuel & Lube, Inc. v. Austral Oil Co.

Summary

The Louisiana appellate court affirmed judgment for Austral Oil Co. in a dispute over payment for tugboat services. The court held that the services were provided at the request and for the benefit of Sanders Drilling Co., that no contract for direct payment existed between the towing company and Austral, and that Sanders was solely liable for the charges.

Holdings

1. The trial court did not manifestly err in finding that no contract existed between Terrebonne Towing and Austral for the Kim C's services.
2. Austral was not liable for the invoice because the services were rendered at the request and for the benefit of Sanders, and Sanders was solely liable for the charges.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the trial court manifestly erred in finding that no contract existed between the tug owner and Austral for the Kim C's services.
2. Whether the trial court manifestly erred in finding that Sanders, rather than Austral, was solely liable for the disputed tug-service charges.

Disposition

affirmed