Document: 451 U.S. 156 101 S.Ct. 1614 68 L.Ed.2d 1 SCINDIA STEAM NAVIGATION CO., LTD., Petitioner,v.Lauro DE LOS SANTOS et al. No. 79-512. Argued Dec. 1, 1980. Decided April 21, 1981. Syllabus Respondent longshoreman, an employee of respondent stevedore who was engaged by petitioner shipowner to load its vessel, injured while working in the ship's hold when he struck cargo that fell from a pallet being held suspension winch part gear and operated another longshoreman. The winch's braking mechanism allegedly had been malfunctioning for two days preceding day accident, but there dispute as whether because suspended swinging back forth or slipped suspended, knew should have known alleged condition winch. longshoreman brought suit against under provision Longshoremen's Harbor Workers' Compensation Act amended 1972, 33 U.S.C. § 905(b), which states "by negligence vessel . may bring action such third party" vessel's liability "shall not be based upon warranty seaworthiness." District Court granted summary judgment petitioner, holding standards governing is liable dangerous conditions created stevedore's exclusive control work, even if defective winch, has no duty warn his employees open obvious defects. Appeals reversed, proper standard, continue inspect it turned over safe condition, subsequently developed, light practical opportunities discover remedy dangers, failure do so could negligence. Concluding were several material facts jury resolve, court remanded case further proceedings. Held : 1. A ship equipment carry on operations with reasonable safety; fails at least hidden danger shipowner, him exercise care, causes injury But once begun, absent contract provision, positive law, custom contrary general 905(b) way supervision inspection care develop within confines are assigned stevedore. Thus, longshoremen injuries caused dangers unknown owner about inform himself. This conclusion consistent Congress' intent 1972 Amendments foreclose shipowner's previous faultless theory unseaworthiness non-delegable duty. limits, entitled rely stevedore, owes supervise operations. Pp. 166-172. 2. However, circumstances act where arises used In this case, possible continuing use despite obviously improvident defect it, realized presented unreasonable risk harm longshoremen, intervene repair same would true existed outset must deemed aware condition. duties law provide workplace safeguards respect gear, well justifiable expectations those will performed, relevant determining breached equally necessary inquiry pertinent statutes, regulations, place assume operation. Here, record supports Appeals' triable issue actual knowledge chargeable outset. erred granting judgment, returned and, necessary, tried appropriate instructions. 172-179. 598 F.2d 480, affirmed remanded. Graydon S. Staring, San Francisco, petitioner. James A. Grutz, Seattle, Wash., respondents. Justice WHITE delivered opinion Court. Santos, Seattle Stevedore Co., helping M/S Jalaratna, owned Scindia Steam Navigation Ltd. He later pursuant 5(b) (Act), 1972,1 which, set provides follows: 2 "In event person covered chapter then person, anyone otherwise recover damages reason thereof, party accordance provisions section 933 title, employer shall directly indirectly any agreements warranties void. subsection seaworthiness breach thereof time occurred. provided all other remedies except available chapter."2 3 petitioner's motion judgment;3 Appeals, disagreeing both reversed 480 (CA9 1979). We certiorari, 446 934, 100 2150, 64 786, Courts considerable disagreement meaning application 905(b).4 4 * For present purposes, we take properly viewed most favorable whom granted. 5 On December 10, undertaking Scindia, loading wheat into Jalaratna. lower wooden pallets, each containing seventy 50-pound sacks wheat, hold. Because location controls, operator relied hatch tender, , signal start stop lowering Santos three Their task remove stow them. 6 days, quickly descent loaded pallet, drop feet before coming stop. At important here, lowered, tender signaled load. brake applied, did striking jack5 some force spilling half pallet. raise 15 believing remaining secure enough fall, permitted men clear away spilled lying below Some minutes later, however, more injuring Santos. There additional four occasions, requiring again, thus loose 7 Relying legislative history Act, longshoreman's best expressed Restatement (Second) Torts §§ 343 343A (1965), purport state prevailing preferred rules possessor land invitee.6 Under these land-based standards, thought 8 "a [is] manner area work ., nor defects apparent they reasonably expected them." 1976 A.M.C. 2583, 2585. 9 Based admissions parties depositions court, concluded (1) premises during operation (2) winch,7 "was plaintiff" "the fact plaintiff undertook actions free direction defendant recognizing dangerous, cannot matter law." Id., 2586-2587. addition, found only remote cause-in-fact relationship plaintiff's accident proximate cause 2587. Hence, granted.8 10 Reversing, disagreed applicable law. Sections improper measures 905(b)9 sections effect incorporated notions contributory assumption inapplicable maritime Instead, declared controlling standard following: 11 "A subject near if, 12 "(a) knows of, discover, realize involves 13 "(b) protect danger." F.2d, 485. 14 Scindia's end If them, part.10 view resolve: winch; sense repaired initial spillage sacks, necessitating cleanup, falling Accordingly, aside II 16 Initially, briefly revisit Act. Prior unloading receive compensation payments also Seas Shipping Co. v. Sieracki, 328 85, 66 872, 90 L.Ed. 1099 (1946). Proof required proof fault than unsafe, injury-causing vessel. though caused, created, play employees.11 latter event, express implied handle manner. Ryan Stevedoring Pan-Atlantic S.S. Corp., 350 124, 76 232, 133 (1956).12 17 Amendments, particularly adding radically changed scheme things. due incurred course employment substantially increased; right abolished; preserved statutory ship; obligation indemnify abolished. 18 Section specify acts omissions constitute differences among federal courts construction neither can said history, analyzed reanalyzed cases, furnishes sure guidance construing 905(b).13 Much left resolved through "application accepted principles tort ordinary process litigation." Rep., p. 11. III 19 Marine Terminals Burnside 394 404, 415, 89 1144, 1150, 22 371 (1969), exercising "under circumstances." extends expert experienced able safety persons property, warning hazards likely encountered anticipated competent performance work. 416, n. 18, S.Ct., 1151. equipment, tools, space stevedoring operations; Petitioner concedes much. Brief 20-21. It actively itself negligently injures avoid exposing encounter areas, active 20 parties, like sharp begun. contends come unloading. submits learns hazard, correct injury. true, argues, hazard employees,14 came aboard charged Respondents, hand, defend unable agree wholly either submissions. 21 Considering first position requires Congress intended make answerable own terminate automatic, responsibility defaults Cases ground owed nondelegable rejected.15 inconsistent hold, nevertheless, steps process. Such approach repeatedly result solely attributable rather ship. True, cast terms unseaworthiness, much same. "[C]reation oversee activity insure saddle precisely sort sought eliminate amending 905(b)." Hurst Triad 554 1237, 1249-1250, 35 (CA3 1977); Evans "Campeche," 639 848, 856 (CA2 1981).16 As matter, hazards. 41 941, longshoremen's employer, "reasonably safe" Secretary Labor determine longshoremen.17 common longshoremen18 Furthermore, our cases indicate, normally warrants discharge workman-like manner; although relieved paid warranty, disturb contractual rightful expectation perform without 23 indemnity Court, beginning (1956), accidents competently. Italia Societa Oregon 376 315, 84 748, 732 (1964), example, unseaworthy arising negligence, supplied handling cargo. saying: 24 "Oregon, specialist stevedoring, hired unload vessels supply rope rendered Oregon, hands Oregon. Not agreement between company, Although none factors affect primary since seaworthy strict nondelegable, portion 85 [66 1099], cf. Pope & Talbot Hawn, 346 406 [74 202, 98 143], demonstrate far better accident. defers qualification contractor selection relies competency company." 322-323, 752-753.19 25 foreclosed cases; rejected notion undermine competence see 26 contrary—none cited us case—the consequence plainly congressional To extent rested view, disagree. IV 27 arrive difficult recurring involved case: What apparently exists developed operation, longshoreman? Must action? expertise who, precautions, necessarily sole arguable support cases. 28 Crumady J. H. Fisser, 358 423, 79 445, 413 (1959), officers shut off current twice gear. parted subjected undue strain unseaworthy. Consistent past protection "imposes delegate," appliances, "does supplying them; keep them order." "is responsibilities turning 427, 447. "since stevedores ." 429, 448.20 29 Crumady, "those acting owner" adjusted "in made unsafe hand." appeared negligent, yet shift entire workmanlike Arguably, likewise justified expecting therefore defective, continued use. 30 position, presents harm, "fails circumstances" longshoremen. suggest how recognize "unreasonable risk" what might be. 31 Second Circuit, duty-to-inspect thesis ruling guard employees, "there problem." 856.21 sees mere sufficient fasten anticipate triggered steps, circumstances, neutralize hazard. presently unprepared described reasons follow 32 posited prior malfunctioning. Even so, safely posed committed instance. having nevertheless unloading, considered judgment. Yet quite possible, seems us, Seattle's longshoremen,22 34 indicated, legal placed performed trial jury, scope operation.23 941 implemented Safety Health Regulations Longshoring. CFR 1918.1 seq. (1980). Subpart F 1918.51 seq., deals 1918.51(b) "[a]ny component visibly until safe." 1918.53, dealing winches, malfunction winches reported immediately officer charge vessel," 1918.53(a)(5); electrical "[w]hen electromagnetic service load, used," 1918.53(c)(1); "[e]mployees tamper adjust electric circuits," 1918.53(c)(2).24 absence regulatory placing winch,25 inference already discovered, shipowner. situation comes down this: degree, ceased using clearly intervened stopped serviceable? 36 questions answer instance appellate need deal unless evidence submit conclude order, began read differently, disputed fact, resolved, constructive erroneous infirm. understand below, examination record, instructions.26 37 affirm remand proceedings opinion. 38 So ordered. 39 THE CHIEF JUSTICE took decision case. 40 BRENNAN, MARSHALL BLACKMUN join, concurring. My views Amendments: circumstances; stevedore; (3) custom, regulation creates duties; (4) belief halt itself. 42 Since I Court's views, join 43 POWELL, REHNQUIST joins, 44 basic thrust—placing burden avoiding write emphasize distinction "reasonableness" adopted Ninth Circuit 45 opinion, stevedore." Ante, 172. makes limited aware. concerning allow continue, "matter instance." 175. Only "obviously improvident," ibid., poor does intervene.1 points out, customs regulations allocating particular repairs highly inquiry. 46 difficulty reasonableness problems "reasonable" when, single question fail find liability. outcome become norm, negligent receiving windfall recoveries form reimbursement benefit longshoremen.2 decrease significantly incentives toward prevent injuries, undercut ensuring safety. Pub.L. 92-576, 86 Stat. 1251, 901-950. 933, referred things elect suing party. specifies relative rights accepts sues specified time. gave interest Santos' recovery, here. 2583 Appendix petition certiorari. See 9, infra. jack small, wheeled, cartlike vehicle prongs front forklift cart wings hand. Record 77. provides: "§ 343. Dangerous Conditions Known Discoverable Possessor physical invitees invitees, expect danger, themselves "(c) 343A. Obvious Dangers "(1) whose obviousness. "(2) invitee public land, facilities utility, factor importance indicating anticipated." stated, A.M.C., 2586, "[p]laintiff controvert defendant's claim one crew ever informed accident" stated "condition [about] finds know know, given period." Ibid. contended purposes judged was. Federal Rule Civil Procedure 56(c) entered favor moving "if pleadings, depositions, answers interrogatories, file, together affidavits, any, show genuine acknowledged Second, Fourth, Fifth Circuits suits. See, e. g., Canizzo Farrell Lines, Inc., 579 682 1978); Gay Ocean Transport Trading, Ltd., 546 1233 (CA5 Anuszewski Dynamic Mariners Panama, 540 757 (CA4 1976); Napoli Hellenic 536 505 1976). recently reaffirmed position. 848 (1981). First Third Circuits, apply suits bar recovery contributorily voluntarily risk. Sarauw Oceanic 622 1168 1980); Johnson A/S Ivarans Rederi, 613 334 (CA1 Griffith Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel 610 116 1979); Lawson United States, 605 448 Bachtel Mammoth Bulk Carriers, 438 1979) (case below). "reasonable approach. 486. formulation Kermarec Compagnie Generale Transatlantique, 625, 406, 550 (1959). visitor paying social call member stairway. verdict, appeal licensee invitee. preferring adopt "exercising case," incorporate complexities licensee. 632, 410. involving quarrel standard. Inevitably, rule undergo refinement applied various categories considering conduct inquire did. evident, different view: impose begins Alaska Petterson, 347 396, 74 272, 410 (1954); Weyerhaeuser Nacirema Operating 355 563, 78 438, 491 (1958); (1959); Waterman Corp. Dugan McNamara, 364 421, 81 200, 169 (1960); (1964). Usner Luckenbach Overseas 400 494, 91 514, 562 (1971), ruled operational render 11, supra. negates Committee Reports purpose eliminating non-maritime ashore endow special whatever judicial nomenclature called, 'unseaworthiness', 'non-delegable duty', like." S.Rep.No.92-1125, (1972) (hereafter Rep.). (H.R.Rep.No.92-1441 (1972), U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News 4698, respects identical Senate Report.) stevedores, equipment. 10. Its "based negligence" proved shown "to acted failed pursuits similar time, Committees observed "meet objective encouraging still providing work." Nothing derogate corrective condition" long "chargeable admiralty comparative defense barred. emphasized amendments relieve obligations Occupational 1970. Otherwise, definition resulting "resolved litigation—just parties." anticipated, determined 12. suggests 13, supra, urged Torts. refer strongly suggests, governed nonmaritime contexts. applicability their import context, sections, irrelevant, furnish this. "Thus Crumedy vs. 423 [79 413]; Albanese Matts [Maats], 382 283 [86 327], Skibinski [360] 539; method N. G. [A. G.] Stevedores Ellerman 369 [82 780, 798], Blassingill 336 367; ship, ashore, Peterson, 396 601, 315 [84 732], judicially established. listing reflect setting predicated negligence." Committees' statement nothing bill condition." explain "responsibility" "appropriate" be, "should known" offer example: "So, slips oil spill deck injured, proposed permit recover, establish that: 1) put foreign substance deck, there, willfully it; 2) period discovered removed 10-11. "willful" "negligent" require explicated say "vessel Title Every maintain places employments install, furnish, maintain, devices reference established employers order life, health, employment, employees." proposal joint 8. Of course, longer obtain 905(b). Harlan, joined Justices Frankfurter Whittaker, dissented, was, merely U.S., 201. panel divided. Judge Meskill wrote principal Friendly, concurring Bonsal, sitting designation, dissented. majority accept 'saddle 905(b).' 1249 35." 856. so-called "control test" would, inconsistently statute, entirely occurring majority's approach, called anticipation standard," hazard—for "where too alone remedy, industry affirmatively joins hazard." endeavor reach realistic anticipation." 856-857. refused face otherwise, unavailable litigation. 509. specifically bearing dispute. brief 24, argued notified defect, opportunity, duty, repair. Tr. Oral Arg. States Coast Guard issued ships. Ch. Subchapter Cargo Miscellaneous Vessels ships applicable, certificate intervals. detailed requirements testing winches. accepting private organizations recognized Guard, International Gear Bureau, manual specifying procedures. appear respective situations now us. asserts 14. Also, Jalaratna appears Indian nation signatory Convention Life Sea, 1960, board current, valid certificate." 90.05-1 note affirming verdict Irizarry Compania Maritime Navegacion Netumar, A., 79-7876 (CA2, May 22, 1980), cert. pending, 80-94, Joint Code New York Association, Port Committee. prepared labor shipping association union contains commonly agreed practices safely." "[t]he owner, master tools spaces operations." became contributed effective simple crane event. Cf. (1971). necessitated my ante, 162, discussed 1981), plain unnecessary fully, it. seek reduced Edmonds 443 256, 99 2753, 61 521 (1979). stevedore—even concurrently negligent—receives up full amount payments. Bloomer Liberty Mutual Ins. 445 74, 925, 63 215 (1980) (stevedore's lien proportional share costs litigating suit). automatic reimbursement, "concurrently insulated pay workmen's benefits, inadequate environment Edmonds, 274, 2764 (BLACKMUN, J., dissenting). avoidable hazards, unusual reasonably. Any stringent, less defined, skew intended. 682, 687-688 1978) (Friendly,

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