Document: 455 U.S. 608 102 S.Ct. 1312 71 L.Ed.2d 495 U. S. INDUSTRIES/FEDERAL SHEET METAL, INC., et al., Petitionersv.DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROGRAMS, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT LABOR, al. No. 80-518. Argued Oct. 6, 1981. Decided March 23, 1982. Syllabus Respondent Riley (hereafter respondent) awoke on the morning of November 20, 1975, with severe pains in his neck, shoulders, and arms. Subsequently, he filed a claim for disability benefits under Longshoremen's Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (Act), alleging that suffered an accidental injury course employment 19, when was lifting duct work felt sharp pain neck. The Administrative Law Judge found accident never occurred denied claim, Benefits Review Board affirmed. Court Appeals vacated Board's decision, holding respondent "injury" awakened § 20(a) Act—which provides any proceeding enforcement compensation "it shall be presumed, absence substantial evidence to contrary . [t]hat comes within provisions [the Act]"—respondent entitled presumption "employment-bred." Held : 1. erred invoking support did not make, having claimed injured at home it somehow In this case there is no reason depart from specific statutory direction made presumption, however construed, attach claim. Pp. 612-615. 2. also its use term as including respondent's attack occurring 20. defines "accidental arising out employment," so prima facie "claim compensation," which refers, must least allege arose well employment. Here, however, noticed by bed, substitute allegations necessary state case. 615-616. 200 U.S.App.D.C. 402, 627 F.2d 455, reversed. Richard W. Galiher, Jr., Washington, D. C., petitioners. James F. Green, respondents. Justice STEVENS delivered opinion Court. 1 early Ralph arms, later were attributed physicians exacerbation arthritic condition. United States District Columbia Circuit held sufficient invoke "statutory compensability,"1 Act, 44 Stat. (part 2) p. 1436, 33 U.S.C. 920(a), administrative denial benefits. We granted certiorari, 450 979, 101 1512, 67 813, we now reverse. 2 Contending permanently totally disabled condition,2 Riley's retained counsel Deputy Commissioner Act. See 913. On standard form LS-203, response "[d]escribe full how occurred,"3 wrote "[l]ifting co-worker, weighing approximately 500 pounds, neck sat down." App. 111. 3 An evidentiary hearing convened before Judge. After construing light most favorable resolving all doubts favor, "that Claimant sustained meaning Sec. 2(2) alleged, Sutherland [Riley's co-worker] gave false testimony happening accident." Pet. Cert. 24A. 4 A divided panel affirmed benefits, Judge's findings supported evidence. dissent, Member Miller stated: 5 "The does require claimant prove order establish To contrary, payable if because causally related §§ 902(10), 902(2)." 9 BRBS 936, 940 (1979) (emphasis original). 6 defined "something go[ne] wrong human frame." Ibid. such 20 pain. Therefore, would have remanded determination "the real issue case," "is whether but claimant's employment." That "places burden employer arise or 7 petition review, decision Board, agreeing Miller's position. v. Industries/Federal Sheet Metal, Inc., (1980). court stated can hardly disputed petitioner 'injury' 1975." Id., 405, F.2d, 458. then turned "attention range situations has applied it." It construed earlier cases need during working hours" "need traceable particular work-related incident compensable." 405-406, 458-459.4 8 foregoing make clear pervasive scope compensability. Indeed, ever failed apply facet it. hold expressly where been injured, requires that, given benefit rebuttable 406, 459. question remand stemmed "work-related incident," " 'employment-bred.' 10 overlooked (1) language relates employee's (2) definition "injury." 11 * Appeals' first error invocation Riley. 19 matter fact had occurred; finding longer challenged. theory recovery bed 12 Section 20(a), "[i]n Act." coverage debatable,5 one thing clear: applies Even unfettered right amend conform proof, terms cannot made. 13 913, timely file Commissioner. content specified section. But 12(b), 912(b), give notice injury, further "[s]uch contain statement time, place, nature, cause injury."6 like required pleadings type litigation, serves purposes notifying adverse party confining issues tried adjudicated.7 14 alleged 19. No vague compensability, law judge address rebut every conceivable recovery. At represented counsel,8 was, II 15 second incorrect compensable disprove 'something unexpectedly goes frame,' U.S.App.D.C., 458 (quoting Wheatley Adler, 132 177, 183, 407 307, 313 (1968)), mere existence physical impairment plainly insufficient shift proof employer. 16 3(a) "[c]ompensation respect employee, only results injury." 1426, amended, 903(a). Injury 902(2). Arising "out of" "in are separate elements: former refers causation; latter circumstances injury.9 Not caused employment, arisen 17 employment.10 Appeals, simply mislabeled itself rather than manifestation envisioned facts III 18 compensability; believed allegations, job judge, disbelieved marshaled findings. him adjudicate made, remanding purpose. Nor could aided Appeals—that home—for omits requirement judgment ordered. 21 O'CONNOR took part consideration 22 BRENNAN, whom MARSHALL joins, dissenting. 23 (LHWCA), [a] [for compensation] chapter." central us provision offer "substantial evidence" refuting causal relationship between fully briefed argued, For me, answer controls proper disposition 24 By terms, quite contrast practice judicial proceedings, take initial steps liability. This preliminary shifting exemplifies "humanitarian nature Act," O'Keeffe Smith Associates, 380 359, 362, 85 1012, 1014, 895 (1965) (per curiam), "strong legislative policy favoring awards arguable cases," (1968) (en banc). clearly broad enough encompass causation. much nexus malady activities other aspect claim." re Workmen's 180 216, 223, 554 1075, 1082 (1976). defeat compensation, compensability offering "arising 902(2), 903; see Marra Bros., Inc. Cardillo, 154 357 (CA3 1946). Only after offers fall case." Del Vecchio Bowers, 296 280, 286, 256 190, 193, 80 L.Ed. 229 (1935). 25 thus basic agenda Office Programs (OWCP), factfinding OWCP may deny case, serious dispute some disabling injury.1 n. 3, 459, condition, [he] due condition." Given relevant inquiry shown condition sufficiently render accountable.2 entered. Rather, focused exclusively co-worker something happened while causing immediate concluded finding. 26 Had credited incident, surely strengthened position work-related. occur demonstrates single event compensable. "Even asserted occurred, injuries might nevertheless 'employment bred.' "3 Absent excluding possibility, denied. addition, failure focus broader injury's work-relatedness suggests conduct proceedings attentiveness this: namely, result employment? Because agency crucial finding, properly 27 Rather allow normal process adjudication run course, discerns dispositive procedural places emphasis 20(a): 28 "In (Emphasis added.) 29 Unremarkably, reads applying compensation." remarkably, without precedent construes words compensation" mean sort legal document, theory, setting forth upon based, attach. 30 appears glean understanding word "claim" assigned relief" Rule 8(a) Federal Rules Civil Procedure. concedes, must, finds direct authority LHWCA itself. employee 913(a). ante, 613. referred-to nothing more simple request payment,4 carrying implicit assertion entitlement compensation. extent allegation "time, injury" statutorily required, connection referred 12.5 912. 31 Moreover, Court's reliance written pleading wholly step sensible informality administered.6 Under present regime enforcement, narrowed through pleadings, mixture formal informal prehearing procedures. CFR 702.311-702.317 (1981). regulations governing administration reflect method chosen charged administering addressing practical problems narrowing inevitably proceedings. addition conference report, sets hearing, parties submit defining considered. 702.317. Nevertheless, raise conference, statement, preclude raising hearing. 702.336(a). "[a]t time prior filing discretion" reopen consider new issue. 702.336(b).7 32 Apparently view imported protect employers being called into warning basis sought; argument, otherwise forced grounded. I do share fear. already contains accommodation legitimate concerns: requirement, manner historically applied, good-sense application management principles officials execution Act's provisions. sum, am confident, apparently not, surprise fairly considered framework regulations, resolved effectuates humanitarian rely fictive analysis dispose "as law," intertwining problem leave questions remand, Appeals. As Douglas once occasion remind us, "[t]he should rest mainly Courts Appeals." U.S., 371, S.Ct., 1019 (dubitante). treatment relatively raised underscores wisdom deference. below disagree. dissent. "Injury" compensability" employed explain below, describe incorrect. decide or, fortiori, appropriateness characterization Apparently, undisputed disabled. Brief Riley, 5. continues instruction: "Relate events resulted occupational disease. Tell what doing accident. happened. Name objects substances involved tell they involved. Give details factors led contributed If space needed, continue reverse." cited proposition. Butler Parking Management Co., 124 195, 363 682 (1966), became ill illness diagnosed schizophrenic reaction. 307 (1968), collapsed heart work. Mitchell Woodworth, 146 21, 449 1097 (1971), died cerebral vascular shortly collapsing resolve debate seems fair assume, same created 20(d) 920(d), 285-287, 56 192-93, 229, 301 Evidence. Texas Dept. Community Affairs Burdine, 248, 1089, 207. "This declaration received suffering employment; about disease prompt complete investigation prejudice will ensue." 1A E. Jhraid, A. Sann, N. Golden, & B. Chase, Benedict Admiralty 71, 4-5 (7th ed. 1981). generally G. Hazard, Procedure 2.1 (2d 1977). Of workmen's simplified modern civil litigation. hallmarks system: adjective substantive, takes tone beneficent remedial character legislation. summary informal. whole idea get away cumbersome procedures technicalities pleading, reach shortest quickest possible route. hand, lawyer knows, point beyond sweeping-aside 'technicalities' go, since rules usually irreducible hard core function dispensed orderly merits Larson, 78.10, 15-2 Professor Larson writes acceptable "identif[ies] claimant, indicate[s] convey[s] expected," id., 78.11, 15-9; "considerable liberality allowing amendment correct defects," unless "effect undue opposing party," 15-11; "wide latitude allowed" variance "[b]ut great defendant prejudiced deal entirely different pleaded, fatal," 15-13—15-14. these liberal rules; nonetheless, existing record. warns, "[n]o amount alter elementary substance essential elements 15-12. "If carrier declines pay thirtieth day receiving deputy commissioner, ground liability chapter person seeking thereafter utilized services attorney successful prosecution awarded, award order, reasonable attorney's fee against approved court, be, paid directly lump sum becomes final." 928(a). See, e.g., Ward Gow Krinsky, 259 503, 42 529, 66 1033; Thom Sinclair, [1917] A.C. 127; Admiralty, supra, 43; 6.10, 3-2—3-3 (1978). enacted create federal statute maritime employments statutes constitutionally workers. Nogueira New York, H. R. 281 128, 50 303, 74 754. legislation intended provide life insurance covered employees. death distinguishes program program, requirements means assuring, possible, proved. Dodd, Administration 681 (1936); Cudahy Packing Co. Parramore, 263 418, 422-424, 153, 154, 68 366. failing distinguish ordinary meaning, specialized absolutely suggestion Part thought "arose Ante, 616. wrong; virtually reaffirms existed practice, two tests tend merge work-relatedness. 29.00-29.10, pp. 5-354—5-357 (1979). dissenting member Panel described case" "whether plausible relation overhead sheet metal engaged until night logical lay sense, assure "substantial" relative, quantum correspond specificity allegations. overcome rests—as respecting rejected—on little link There abbreviated record supporting Although physician testified man certainly working," 130, questioning effects incident. Another doctor, describing entered hospital, noted: "[M]ost involves bit hyperextention bending upwards." 158. repeatedly twisting rendered diagnosis basis. 162-169. proved medical evidence, work, "initial demonstration employment-connection [that] foothold." 10.33, 3-121 comports accustomed context comparable statutes. example, Mine Safety Health 1977, 801 seq. (1976 Supp.IV), "a Act], submitted authorized subchapter." 725.101(a)(16) 10.5(a)(7) (1981) (Federal Employees' 8101 seq.). suggest manner," turn conclude "claim," patchwork job. apart notice. 12(d) employs very distinction seeks blur: "Failure bar chapter" actual notice, commissioner excuses objection "before ." 912(d). presented hearings discretion afford opportunity hearing." 702.338 regulation "[i]f believes material available receipt evidence." profess expertise LHWCA, seem me relevance one, intends reject principal explored finally determined. regarding remand. 702.336(a)

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