Document: 360 U.S. 273 79 S.Ct. 1184 3 L.Ed.2d 1224 Jackson D. MAGENAU, Administrator of the Estate Norman Ormsbee, Jr., Deceased, Petitioner,v.AETNA FREIGHT LINES, INC. No. 439. Argued May 18, 1959. Decided June 15, Mr. Harry L. Shniderman, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. William F. Illig, Erie, Pa., respondent. Justice CLARK delivered opinion Court. 1 This is a diversity case wrongful death petitioner's decedent, who was killed when tractor-trailer leased by respondent crashed off Pennsylvania highway. The action tried to jury on negligence theory and judgment went 161 F.Supp. 875. Court Appeals reversed, finding that under law decedent an employee Workmen's Compensation Act, Purdon's Pa.Stat.Ann., 1952, Tit. 77, provided exclusive remedy. Cir., 257 F.2d 445. We granted certiorari, 358 927, 311, 301, question whether, in light Byrd v. Blue Ridge Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., 1958, 356 525, 78 893, 2 953 (decided after this argued Appeals), matter relationship question. have concluded does control issue must therefore be reversed. Respondent interstate motor carrier freight certificated Interstate Commerce Act. 49 U.S.C.A. § 301 et seq. It had tractor-trailer, complete with driver from one Fidler, independent contractor. Its lease contract, which been effect four years, required Fidler furnish as well keep equipment repair. In connection evidence indicates authorized his driver, where circumstances required, hire services purchase necessities trips kind. vehicle were en route Syracuse, N.Y., Midland, 36,000 pounds steel mishap leading decedent's occurred. trip Syracuse so beset difficulties, such tire replacements, battery trouble brake failure, bad weather, it already consumed 7 days' time. Under ordinary conditions 20 hours elapsed time would sufficient. During stop at tavern near Waterford, Schroyer, talking keeper about truck troubles cousin entered place. Schroyer offered $25 accompany him remainder and, upon refusal, made same offer decedent. latter accepted. While weak point, indications are job aid event further encountered. Decedent experienced cars worked short mechanic. proceeded truck-trailer toward their destination, former driving. Some later found road downside embankment. Both men dead. ensued, petitioner alleged part continuing operate knowledge its defective brakes. Liability rested rule status liable contractor, whose operated former's I.C.C. certificate. Pennsylvania, Kissell Motor Age Transit Lines, 357 Pa. 204, 209, 53 A.2d 593, 597.1 Petitioner's invitee therefore, owed duty due care breach claimed trespasser law, only wanton misconduct. After discovery exhausted, moved summary ground engagement created employer-employee between State workmen's compensation statute. motion denied trial. submitted special interrogatories covering issues liability general charge damages. trial judge damage verdict $76,500. 4 Interrogatory 1,2 meaning now controversy, inquired whether 'reasonably necessary protection defendant's (respondent's) interests' engage held affirmative answer classified respondent's bringing within definition 104 Act.3 noted conceded 'casual' but not enough take out Act's coverage for, addition, casual employment 'not regular course business' This, said, practice open review. put 'into holding call dismissal suit, remedy 5 Since keystone Appeals' depends interpretation Special 1, we note views issue. non obstante veredicto, he observed 'the interrogatory * phraed require determine Aetna.' Rather, 'was simply secure reasonable necessity engaging decedent.' page 878. Likewise during trial, colloquy counsel interrogatory, advised: '(Y)ou notice there I refrain saying just what (decedent's) is. don't think find employed or not; law.' On balance believe examination record supports although admitted apparently inadvertent use words 'protection interest' may taken different jury. 6 Be may, however, should but, order meet 104's definition, likewise passed employment, if any, 'in course' business. Our came down subsequent argument Appeals. As said 'An essential characteristic (the federal system) manner which, civil common-law actions, distributes functions (assigning) decisions disputed questions fact jury.' Coop., supra, 537, 901. South Carolina cases, permitting courts decide factual without juries 'announced integral statute.' Id., 536, 900. court follow state rule.' 538, reasoning applies here. given no reason distinction trying court. claim 'integral relationship' statute rather cannot gainsaid all submitted. Act bars recovery here full If jury, proper instructions, finds facts show that, 104, business, then can new whole necessary, since these interrelated ultimate damages limited hearing interest fairness efficiency judicial administration. justify conclusions employee, Pennsylvania's either resolution those issues, along others arise evidence, will jury's amount recover action. 8 Reversed remanded. 9 FRANKFURTER, whom HARLAN STEWART join, dissenting. 10 shifting history. Today problem appears cast into questions: Ormsbee's not, been? But massed both sides prove disprove trespasser. showing something other than trespasser, introduced tended temporary respondent, hired emergency. countered urging petitioner, believed, proved Aetna applicable deprived against Aetna. judge, believing reserved until ruling §§ 22, 52, 462. And so, putting aside question, keeping original regarding mind, framed elicit answering following affirmative: 11 'Under case, do you unforeseen contingency arose reasonably interests Charles Jr. trip?' 12 also returned 13 refusing Aetna's motions notwithstanding verdict, reasoned did bar common because nature decisions, bring disagreed judge's thereunder. Reviewing administrator, necessitated doing, applying parties Erie R. Co. Tompkins, 304 64, 58 817, 82 L.Ed. 1188, Rules Decision 28 U.S.C. 1652, 1652. 14 Petitioner asserts our 953, make determination To agree second proposition totally misinterpreted stated requires application rests deviate settled accept proceedings below adopted unless baseless.1 Moreover, based primarily extrapolation finding. Judge Goodrich '(w)e escape conclusion (jury) hiring Ormsbee business defendant, namely, transportation goods truck. riding all.' 448. Thus applied jury-found court-interpreted barred review has repeatedly deferred local reached lower courts.2 What case? statutory language cases interpreting three uncommonly circuit judges. Finally, prior function.3 Nor historical analysis support assumption adoption Seventh Amendment.4 Whether set constitutes pure province. charge, thereto, interpreted Appeals, permit withheld sphere power, duty, capability. 15 suppose correct conclude erred resolved relevant inquiries. Still prevail For fail request himself law.5 believed oflaw ought otherwise.6 Indeed requested objected refused. shall continue barring some extraordinary present, failure waiver any right submission.7 least requisite raising appeal way objection.8 16 Certiorari petition urged ruled deprive thus raised basic dealt Byrd. More particular consideration could expected certiorari9 apparent neither statement correct. briefs merits oral inescapably clear failed present qualifies development certiorari jurisdiction10 promulgated guide exercise.11 turning solely unique involving justifies discretionary jurisdiction. When discovered, even argument, existed suitable Court's determination, dismissed improvidently granted.12 reasons disposition argument—action often fairly Court—were expounded Chief Taft: 17 'If suggested much effort conflict enabled us dispose before merits, very important consistent granting writ except principles settlement importance public distinguished parties, real embarrassing authority Circuit Courts Appeal. certainly comes head.'13 18 becomes complained-of error probably committed position assert it, regard controlling observing exercise jurisdiction granted. 19 HARLAN, joins, Plenary indeed majority Court, involved basis concession 1. presents concerning classification decision premise accordingly mistaken one. acting assessment justifying power criteria Rule 19. my Brother FRANKFURTER granted, join dissenting opinion. 21 Even considered properly presented, most done remand decision. A retrial justified treating court, instead see Persing Citizens Traction Co., 294 230, 144 A. 97; Vescio 336 502, 546; merely 'form mode' procedure 'an part' rights Before deciding difficult subtle members more competent speak law. Also Stat. 557, amended, 315, provides certificate holder carry insurance satisfy final injuries 'negligent vehicles certificate.' 'Interrogatory Number Section provides: 'The term 'employe,' used act declared synonymous servant, includes— 'All natural persons perform another valuable consideration, character employer, articles materials up, cleaned, washed, altered, ornamented, finished repaired, adapted sale worker's own home, premises, management employer. Every executive officer corporation elected appointed accordance charter by-laws corporation, officers Commonwealth political subdivisions, employe corporation.' See, e.g., National Labor Relations Board Pittsburgh S.S. 340 498, 502—503, 71 453, 455, 456, 95 479; Federal Trade Commission American Tobacco 274 543, 47 663, 1193. Railroad Texas Pullman 312 496, 499, 61 643, 85 971; Reitz Mealey, 314 33, 39, 62 24, 28, 86 21; MacGregor Mutual Life Assurance 315 280, 281, 607, 846; Helvering Stuart, 317 154, 162—163, 63 140, 144—145, 87 154; modified grounds 602, Palmer Hoffman, 318 109, 118, 477, 482, 645; Huddleston Dwyer, 322 232, 237, 64 1015, 1018, 88 1246; Hillsborough Tp. Somerset County, N.J. Cromwell, 326 620, 630, 66 445, 451, 90 358; Steele General Mills, 329 433, 438—439, 67 439, 442, 91 402; Gardner New Jersey, 565, 575, 467, 472, 504; Francis Southern Pacific 333 447—448, 68 611, 612, 92 798; Spiegel Commissioner Internal Revenue, 335 701, 707—708, 69 303—304, 93 330; Propper Clark, 337 486—487, 1333, 1341—1342, 1480; Ragan Merchants Transfer & Warehouse 530, 534, 1233, 1235, 1520; Skelly Oil Phillips Petroleum 339 667, 674, 70 876, 880, 94 1194; United States Gerlach Live Stock 725, 755, 955, 970, 1231; Williams States, 341 97, 100, 576, 578, 774; Sutton Leib, 342 402, 411, 72 398, 404, 96 448; Bernhardt Polygraphic 350 198, 204—205, 76 273, 276—277, 100 199; pages 212, 279, 281 (concurring opinions); Box 351 159, 165, 728, 732, 1055; 169—170, 734, 735 (dissenting opinion). Cf. Ex parte Peterson, 253 300, 310, 40 546, 919: limitation imposed (Seventh) amendment enjoyment obstructed, interfered with.' See Scott, Trial Jury Reform Civil Procedure, 31 Harv.L.Rev. 669, 684—686 (1918). Court: words, 'Mr. Knox (attorney petitioner): employees.' Transcript Record, p. 173a. 169a. Minds, 250 368, 375, 39 531, 533, 1039; Shutte Thompson, Wall. 151, 164, 123. Fed.Rules Civ.Proc., 49, 51, 'We aided arguments, necessarily rely especial petitions, replies, supporting briefs. Unless carefully prepared, contain appropriate references record, studied accuracy, brevity, clearness whatever ready adequate understanding points requiring attention, interested prejudiced impeded efforts causes constantly crowd docket.' Furness, Withy Yang-Tsze Ins. Ass'n, 242 430, 434, 37 141, 142, 409. Dick York 359 437, 447, 921, 927 Supreme 19, Layne Bowler Corp. Western Well Works, 261 387, 43 422, 712. 393, 423.

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