Document: 404 U.S. 97 92 S.Ct. 349 30 L.Ed.2d 296 CHEVRON OIL COMPANY, Petitioner,v.Gaines Ted HUSON. No. 70—11. Argued Oct. 20, 1971. Decided Dec. 6, Syllabus Respondent was injured in December 1965 while working on petitioner's artificial island drilling rig, located the Outer Continental Shelf off Louisiana coast. Allegedly, not until many months later were injuries discovered to be serious. In January 1968 respondent brought suit for damages against petitioner federal district court. The District Court, relying Rodrigue v. Aetna Casualty & Surety Co., 395 352, 89 1835, 23 360 (1969), held that Louisiana's one-year limitation personal injury actions applied rather than admiralty laches doctrine, and granted motion summary judgment. had state law fixed structures under Lands Act (hereinafter Act), extended area as laws of adjacent State 'to extent they are applicable inconsistent' with laws. argued appeal view pre-Rodrigue jurisprudence making (including doctrine) applicable, it would unfair give decision retrospective effect. Court Appeals, reaching argument, reversed, holding 'prescriptive' time limitation, which barred remedy but did nto extinguish right recovery, binding outside a forum. Consequently, court concluded 'applicable' its own force 'inconsistent' though directly by virtue matter common law. Held: 1. Act, interpreted Rodrigue, requires State's statute limitations occurring Shelf. fact is does make inapplicable may apply test preclude application limitation. Pp. 100—105. 2. should not, however, bar respondent's action here since retroactive deprive any at all basis unforeseeable superseding legal doctrine decision. 105—109. 5 Cir., 430 F.2d 27, affirmed. Lloyd Cyril Melancon, New Orleans, La., petitioner. Samuel C. Gainsburgh, respondent. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered opinion Court. 1 respondent, Gaines Huson, suffered back an rig owned operated petitioner, Chevron Oil Gulf Coast Louisiana. occurred 1965. serious one. delay suing ultimately his case this 2 issue presented whether and, more particularly, or determines timeliness action. That must resolved 67 Stat. 462, 43 U.S.C. § 1331 et seq. 'Lands Act'), governs When lawsuit initiated, there line decisions interpreting general law, including equitable laches, suits such respondent's.1 question laches. While pretrial discovery proceedings still way, announced 360. entirely changed complexion case. For established Relying actions, govern It concluded, therefore, judgment petitioner.2 3 On appeal, retroactively filed before date announcement.3 But Appeals declined reach question. Instead, interpretation compel prevent have been reversed court's remanded trial. 27. We certiorari consider Appeals' construction Rodrigue. 402 942, 91 1608, 29 109. hold actions. affirm ground invoked require 4 * makes Shelf, thereon, exclusive jurisdiction, 1333(a)(1). extends United States area, 1333(a) (1), provides shall also '(t)o laws, 1333(a)(2).4 To comprehensive body 1333(a)(1), 1333(a)(2). we clarified scope 1333(a)(1) By rejecting remedies recognized exists substantial 'gap' Thus, Accordingly, that, order provide wrongful death, filled 6 acknowledged clearly establishes injury, cannot derived from governed State, need substantive remedy. supported reference terms 1333(a)(2) limit Act. reasoned, despite Rodrique, disagree. 7 suggest statutes per se Rather, focused peculiar nature found Art. 3536, La.Civ.Code Ann. Article 3536 'prescribed' one year. attached muct significance 'prescribes,' 'perempts,' Under 'prescription,' unlike 'peremption,' bars formally recovery. See Page Cameron Iron Works, Inc., 259 420, 422—424; Istre Diamond M. Drilling 226 So.2d 779, 794—795 (La.App.); Succession Pizzillo, 223 La. 328, 335, 65 783, 786. This characterization has importance principles conflict held, conflicts mere their Fidelity Co. C/B Kim, 345 45, 50; Kozan Comstock, 270 839, 841; supra, 795. Reasoning principle adjudicating claim 8 hold, undercut applicability '(s)tate bec(omes) federally enforced.' U.S., 365, S.Ct., 1842. intent Congress, expressed Senate Committee Report, Conference floor Senate, 'adopted' 'enacted' id., 357—358, 1838. Thus applying law—as Since courts then, another forum usual sense, ordinary no relevance. just court.5 9 policies underlying absorption result particularly obvious. As pointed out Congress 'the Federal Code never designed complete itself' thus needed. Id., 358, 361, 1838—1840. 'special relationship between men these islands shore commute' favored attorneys familiar. 1842; see 363, 1841. If Congress' goal familiar defeat only certain aspects A upon coordinated substance less Act.6 10 is, course, subject absence forecloses direct through But, sought reintroduce door.7 approach subverts congressional documented 359—366, 1839—1842, doctrines 11 Moreover, amounts inappropriate creation Even when creates wholly specifies particular right, rule analogous types International Union, Auto, Aerospace Agr. Implement Workers Hoosier Cardinal Corp., 383 696, 86 1107, 16 192; Cope Anderson, 331 461, 1340, L.Ed. 1602; Campbell City Haverhill, 155 610, 15 217, 39 280; Note, Statutes Without Limitations Provisions, 53 Col.L.Rev. 68 (1953). special created, uniformity great demands sort limitations. Holmberg Armbrecht, 327 392, 66 582, 90 743; McAllister Magnolia Petroleum 357 221, 78 1201, 1272. even limited freedom create limitations, specified adopted existing specifically rejected national provided demand state, federal, made clear provision filling 'gaps' law; intend fill those themselves creating new law.8 II 12 Although do blind ourselves relevant respect, three years announcement our He instituted present year Yet, if controls case, two circumstances, argument given nonretroactive 13 recent years, judicial most conspicuously considered criminal process. E.g., Mackey States, 401 667, 1160, 28 404; Hill California, 797, 1106, 484; Desist 394 244, 1048, 22 248; Linkletter Walker, 381 618, 85 1731, 14 601. problem means area. earliest instances nonretroactivity Court—more century ago—came cases nonconstitutional, noncriminal Gelpcke Dubuque, Wall. 175, 17 520; Havemeyer Iowa County, 294, 18 38; Railroad McClure, 511, 19 997.9 first prospectively. Great Northern R. Sunburst Refining 287 145, 77 And, last few decades, nonretractivity times, both constitutional nonconstitutional cases. Cipriano Houma, 701, 1897, 647; Allen Board Elections, 393 544, 817, 1; Hanover Shoe, Inc. Shoe Machinery 392 481, 88 2224, 20 1231; Simpson Union 377 13, 84 1051, 98; England Medical Examiners, 375 411, 440; Chicot County Drainage Dist. Baxter Bank, 308 371, 60 317, 329. dealing question, generally separate factors. First, nonretroactively establish either overruling past precedent litigants relied, e.g., 496, 2233, deciding impression whose resolution foreshadowed, see, 572, 835. Second, stressed 'we weigh merits demerits each looking prior history purpose effect, operation will further retard operation.' 629, 1738. Finally, weighed inequity imposed application, '(w)here could produce inequitable results retroactively, ample avoiding 'injustice hardship' nonretroactivity.' 706, 1900. Upon consideration factors, conclude effectively overruled long Fifth Circuit applies See, Pure Snipes, 293 60; Movible Offshore Ousley, 346 870; Loffland Bros. Roberts, 386 540. injured, next he lawsuit, ensuing proceedings, represented governing assumed foresee consistent overturned. rely then was. 'We indulge fiction now always who avail waived rights.' Griffin Illinois, 351 12, 26, 76 585, 594, 100 891 (Frankfurter, J., concurring judgment). told anomalous indeed. primary aid employees affording them remedies. 1840, Yet whatsoever quite unforeseeable. abruptly terminate proceeded lengthy doubt, costly stages surely inimical beneficent Congress. 'substantial results,' 1900, 'slept rights' known him. protect property interests 'cities, bondholders, others connected municipal utilities'; elections possibly discriminatory voting Certainly, potential redress allegedly injury—an significantly future earning power—is entitled similar protection. simply preserves day court.10 Both devotion Act's weighing equities here. although reflects misapprehension remanding trial so ordered. Affirmed. DOUGLAS. 21 360, reversal I without retroactivity like arose created cause offshore enforceable courts, applicable. Ann., 2315 (1970) relevant, part: 'The recover other caused offense quasi offense, person dies, survive period death deceased *.' 24 reads: following prescribed year: 25 'That injurious words, verbal written, animals, resulting offenses offenses.' 26 latter only, i.e., barred, not. runs right. 794—799 (La.App.1969). Respondent, argues recovery where, here, prejudice defendant filing reasonably excusable. Akers Marine Lines, 344 217. 27 distinction peremptive prescriptive important;1 reason statute, bound distinction. Richards 369 1, 82 492. stated 'supplemented gaps 'adoption States." 357, Rodrigue—an death—the extinguished, within death. Kenney Trinidad 832; Mejia 152 686. here—Louisiana holds merely 'procedural restraint remedy, right.' 50 (CA5 1965). 422 1958); Jackson Southern 172 F.Supp. 809 (W.D.Ark.1959); 783 (1953); Devoe Reynolds Robinson, 109 (La.App.1959). court, sitting diversity jurisdiction Arkansas, properly my mind—that after complained of. supra. perfect harmony long-established rules laws.2 different obtain where 1333, flows head diversity. Apart traditional mandate causes faithfully peremption instant 31 Today's Levinson Deupree, 648, 73 914, 1319, enforcing procedural irregularities appointment administrator barred—under limitations—an free formulate rules. follow Levinson, bind procedure beyond created.3 Cf. Byrd Blue Ridge Rural Electric Cooperative, 356 525, 533—539, 893, 898 902, 953; Angel Bullington, 330 183, 192, 657, 662, Atkins Schmutz Manufacturing 435 527 (CA4 1970); 71 865 (1971). 32 There, Tort Claims referred us local decision, 'require(d) whole act omission occurred,' 11, decision.4 construed use 33 forum—here allows consistently her courts. said: 34 define seabed, subsoil, outer inconsistent language Act.' 355 356, 1837. 35 concluded: 'It evident 'exclusive' regulation surrogate law.' 36 forum,5 prescription permits enforcement run.6 Therefore, faithful scheme 37 speaking leading authority, Judge Brown, went maritime 38 stale assertion ran prejudicial; indeed pleaded. 743. One reads record impressed grave injustice peremptive, prescriptive. Death comes finality lacking some cases; rigid can injustice. often lingering know partially permanetly crippled, retrained work, on. took (1) realize return old (2) discover kind work do. 40 followed directed, reflecting good measure justice allowable rigidity infra, 107. unreported (E.D.La., Civil Action 68—19D). same full text '(a)(1) Constitution civil political subsoil seabed erected thereon exploring for, developing, removing, transporting resources therefrom, extend State: Provided, mineral leases maintained issued provisions subchapter. '(2) subchapter regulations Secretary effect hereafter adopted, August 7, 1953 declared portion boundaries seaward margin President determine publish Register projected lines extending defining All administered enforced appropriate officers States. taxation Shelf.' imply absorbed function Erie Tompkins, 304 64, 58 1188; Guaranty Trust York, 326 99, 1464, 2079; 651, 916, 1319. part Here 'housekeeping rules' embodied Hanna Plumer, 380 460, 473, 1136, 1145, 8. justified instance suggesting 'quasi traditionally imbued presents strong urge toward uniformity.' F.2d, 32. Contrary suggestion Douglas, today consonant n. 5. involved obligation adopt action, very relevance involves ousts directs niceties relating amendments pleadings' emphasized important 651—652, 916. above, rules.' 492, occurred.' 592. Insofar bears supports interstitial directed apply. These decided era involving non-retroactive concerned Mississippi Constitution. Rowan Runnels, How. 134, 85. entirety, nonretroactively. Rodrigue's retroactively. Retroactive comparable hardship Guillory Avoyelles 104 15, So. 899, 901 (1900): 'When stipulates executed, speaking, prescription, peremption. 'Statutes destroy itself. say, expires longer exists; lost.' G. Stumberg, Principles Conflict Laws 146—147 (3d ed. 1963): reaction ordinarily procedural. taken Dutch jurists, arises accepted Anglo-American contrary jurisdictions, based foreign facts, run, plaintiff allowed expired. Conversely, expired, nevertheless run.' (Footnotes omitted.) Accord, Restatement §§ 603—604 (1934): (Second) 142, 143 (1971); J. Beale, 584.1 (1935); B. Currie, 232—234, 255 (1963); A. Ehrenzweig, 428—436 (1962); H. Goodrich, 267 (4th 1964); Ailes, Limitation Actions Laws, Mich.L.Rev. 474 (1933); Comment, Statute Yale L.J. 492 (1919). Second Circuit, Harlan 'In rights parties grounded jurisdictions forum, well-settled conflict-of-laws procedure.' Bournias Atlantic Maritime 220 152, 154 (CA2 1955). Panamanian statutory being majority saying 8.' Ante, 103 6. conclusion, courts: '* conceded five defendants-appellees cited distinguished basis. 'But chose Plaintiff preferred advantages afforded as: agreement nine twelve jurors needed; ability call cross-examination employee party opposed wherein witnesses executive top supervisory personnel; vehicle verdict n.o.v. court; shorter petition Having chosen import unacceptable. instance, logically will, reason, abandoned future. So.2d, 794. concluded. LSA—C.C. procedural.' 794—795. Richards' reasoning 'that apply.' 105 precisely because 'whole body' Hart Wechsler, Courts System 456—457 acknowledges retains identity indicates 'function case,' ante, 5, O'Sullivan Felix, 233 318, 596, 980, how applied. Petitioner sole pressed counsel (were) called decide (was) (federal) action.' 321, 597.

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