Document: 486 U.S. 330 108 S.Ct. 1837 100 L.Ed.2d 349 MONESSEN SOUTHWESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY, Appellantv.Gerald L. MORGAN. No. 86-1743. Argued Feb. 22, 1988. Decided June 6, Syllabus Appellee suffered a permanent back injury while working as brakeman and conductor for appellant railroad. After returning to work in less physically demanding position, appellee brought an action under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) Pennsylvania state court, alleging that his was attributable appellant's negligence future earning power had been impaired result of injury. The trial judge refused instruct jury any damages award loss earnings should be reduced present value, but instead informed law (apparently referring case law) "now provides there need not such reduction." found awarded damages, assessed additional amount prejudgment interest pursuant Rule Civil Procedure 238, which requires courts personal actions add compensatory 10% per year, "damages delay," from date complaint filed or one year after cause accrued, whichever later, verdict. Superior Court affirmed. Supreme also affirmed, characterizing 238 mere "rule procedure," holding it inconsistent with FELA. It held whether properly discount value applied "total offset" method, inflation is presumed equal rates, question federal law, judge's use total offset rule St. Louis Southwestern R. Co. v. Dickerson, 470 409, 105 1347, 84 303. Held: 1. State may local practice FELA actions. Pp. 334-339. (a) proper measure FELA—including prevailing plaintiff—is inseparably connected right action, therefore issue substance must settled according rather than law. cannot avoid application by nothing more procedural device encourage settlements relieve court congestion. 335-336. (b) does authorize awards Although neither nor general statute, 28 U.S.C. § 1961, mentions interest, when Congress enacted 1908 common did allow suits wrongful death, courts. In enacting FELA, expressly dispensed other common-law doctrines era, no indication intended abrogate doctrine barring sub silentio. Moreover, lower have virtual unanimity available Congress' failure disturb longstanding, consistent judicial interpretation statute indicates at least acquiesces in, apparently affirms, interpretation. 336-339. 2. act consistently instructing appellee's lost value. supra. has task making determination cases, permissible recommend on methods calculating so long effect pre-empt jury's function. case, however, instructed zero rate matter damages. instruction improperly took essentially factual appropriate 339-342. 513 Pa. 86, 518 A.2d 1171 (1986), reversed remanded. WHITE, J., delivered opinion Court, BRENNAN, STEVENS, SCALIA, KENNEDY, JJ., joined, Parts I, II-A, III MARSHALL BLACKMUN, I II REHNQUIST, C.J., O'CONNOR, joined. concurring part dissenting part, MARSHALL, post, p. ---- Paul A. Manion, Pittsburgh, Pa., appellant. Thomas Hollander, appellee. Justice WHITE Court. 1 This concerns state-law rules affecting (FELA), 35 Stat. 65, amended, 45 51 et seq. 2 * employed railroad conductor. August 1977, fell alighting car back. He returned February 1979 position radio supply clerk. 3 Common Pleas Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, fall negligence. claimed because he could obtain certain incentive shift differential payments new position. 4 would Instead, she "[t]he now App. 61. Court's decision Kaczkowski Bolubasz, 491 561, 583, 421 1027, 1038-1039 (1980), cease discounting "as . shall rates these factors offsetting." 5 favor $125,000. $26,712.50 Rules Procedure. "add ., delay ten (10) percent annum, compounded," "the plaintiff initial accrual later," verdict.1 rejected contention 6 A three-judge panel 339 Pa.Super. 465, 489 254 (1985). 7 granted petition allowance appeal subsequently affirmed narrow margin. (1986). 8 characterized procedure" designed meaningful settlement negotiations thereby alleviate congestion Id., 98-99, A.2d, 1177. concluded that, "worthy goal" specific provisions contravened purposes apply cases well involving only Ibid. 9 recognized so-called See 411, 1348, 303 (1985) (per curiam ). noted our discussion District Pennsylvania's Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp. Pfeifer, 462 523, 103 2541, 76 768 (1983), Longshoremen's Harbor Workers' Compensation (LHWCA), 33 904. We Pfeifer "whatever choose estimated stream earnings, make deliberate choice, assuming bound law." U.S., 552-553, S.Ct., 2558. Here, reviewing itself "deliberately selected" Bolubasz "after thorough consideration various worth theories rules." 92-93, 1174. Nor find inconsistency between Dickerson "an utter [an FELA] error." 412, 1348-1349. reasoned charging method." 94-95, 1175.2 10 probable jurisdiction, 484 813, 63, 98 27 (1987), reverse. 11 first consider 12 are required substantive adjudicating claims. supra, 1348; Chesapeake Ohio Kuhn, 284 44, 46-47, 52 45, 45-46, L.Ed. 157 (1931). [under action," "must principles administered courts." Kelly, 241 485, 491, 36 630, 632, 60 1117 (1916); see Norfolk Western Liepelt, 444 490, 493, 755, 757, 62 689 (1980). 13 what constitutes damages" necessarily includes plaintiff. Prejudgment normally whole actual sought recovered. West Virginia United States, 479 305, 310, 310-311, n. 2, 107 702, 706, 93 639 (1987); General Motors DeVex Corp., 461 648, 655-656, 2058, 2062-2063, 211 (1983); Poleto Consolidated Rail 826 F.2d 1270, 1278 (CA3 1987); Wilson Burlington Northern Co., 803 563, 566 (CA10 1986) (McKay, concurring), cert. denied, 480 946, 1604, 94 790 (1987). constitute significant portion plaintiff's recovery. example, court's increased recovery 20 percent. Accordingly, erred treating availability law.3 14 determine Dice Akron, C. Y. 342 359, 72 312, 96 398 (1952), permitted resolve questions release fraudulently obtained. ground too substantial rights accorded permit classified 'local procedure' denial manner here used." 363, 315. Brown Alabama, 338 294, 298-299, 70 105, 107-108, (1949). Similarly, defendant's potential liability this accept State's classification provision "local procedure."4 turn authorizes B 15 Neither makes mention interest. true silence obligation created not, without more, "manifes[t] unequivocal congressional purpose bear interest." Rodgers 332 371, 373, 68 5, 6-7, 92 (1947). 16 can discern sufficiently clear legislative intent regard we historical context. 1908, death. McCormick, Law Damages 56 (1935); T. Sedgwick, Measure 316 (9th ed. 1912).5 Pierce 255 398, 406, 41 365, 368, 65 697 (1921);6 Mowry Whitney, Wall. 620, 653, 860 (1872); Poleto, 1276, 1278; Wilson, 565; Louisiana Arkansas Pratt, 142 847, 848 (CA5 1944). defense contributory negligence, 53, order "to provide liberal injured workers" Kernan American Dredging 355 426, 432, 78 394, 382 (1958). But deal all equally well-established unpersuaded silentio.7 17 some "Congress [interpretation]." Cannon University Chicago, 441 677, 703, 99 1946, 1960-1961, 560 (1979); Gulf Oil Copp Paving 419 186, 200-201, 95 392, 401-402, 42 378 (1974); Flood 407 258, 283-284, 2099, 2112-2113, 32 728 (1972). over seven decades See, e.g., F.2d, 1279; 566; Kozar 449 1238, 1244 (CA6 1971); 848-849; M., P. P.R. Busby, 617, 619 (CA9 1930); Carmouche Southern Pacific Transportation 734 S.W.2d 46, 47 (Tex.App.1987); Melin 401 N.W.2d 418, 420 (Minn.App.1987); Wicks Central 129 N.J.Super. 145, 147, 322 488, 489, 66 N.J. 317, 331 Murmann New York, N.H. H.R. 258 N.Y. 447, 450, 180 N.E. 114, 115 (1932) ); Mobile O.R. Williams, 219 Ala. 249, 121 So. 722, 731 (1929); Bennett Atchison, S.F. 187 Iowa 897, 903-904, 174 N.W. 805, 807 (1919); Grow Oregon Short Line Utah 26, 29, 150 970, 971 (1915). amended several occasions since 1908. 291 (1910); 53 1404 (1939); 989 (1948). Yet, never attempted amend interest.8 unwilling face inaction alter longstanding apportionment carrier worker costs railroading injuries. If then provide.9 18 acted 19 governed based value." "self-evident" reason "a given sum money hand like payable future." 631-632; And, Kelly demonstrate, governs cases. Hence, "failure 1349. although "used be" juries were reduce "something called worth," provided reduction. Tr. 701-702. "law" referred 1027 conclusively worth. error basis just failed choice" how LHWCA "assum[ed] [was] 553, 2548. 21 Under determination. observed "it difficult mathematical computation ordinary juryman calculate deferred payments, annual rests, reach cash 632. declined decide "[w]hether difficulty met admitting testimony expert witnesses, receiving evidence standard annuity tables values worked out periods covering expectancies life." suggest permitting calculation made jury. 22 addressed directly two years later Louisville Nashville Holloway, 246 525, 38 379, 867 (1918), defendant entitled losses computed legal rate. give "sought subject estimate [such a] rigid limitatio[n]." 528, 380-381.10 23 There There, repeatedly indicated "trier fact." 534, 536, 538, 547-548, 550-551, 32, 2549, 2550, 2551, 2555-2556, 2557-2558 32. Of course, tried bench, fact" 24 do mean foreclosed assisting its calculations. Indeed, " '[t]he average accident converted into graduate seminar economic forecasting,' id., 548, 2556 (quotingDoca Marina Mercante Nicaraguense, S.A., 634 30, 39 (CA2 1980)), prevent proceedings becoming unnecessarily prolonged hopelessly mired "difficult computation." function.11 instructions methods—provided they "subject limitatio[n]," 380-381—are deference appellate review. 25 reversal. IV 26 conclude action. judgment reversed, remanded further opinion. ordered. whom joins, part. 29 agree conclusion suit seq., liberty supplement refusing join Because hasty uniformly unavailable fails follow teaching prior undermines FELA's system compensation, dissent Part II-B. 30 Section 51, "shall liable [employee] suffering negligence" employees. Enacted ensure compensation workers their employers fellow employees, uses broad language turn, "has construed even broadly" assessment intent. S.F.R. Buell, 557, 561-562, 1410, 1413-1414, 563 "accepted [a] construction accomplish" "Act's humanitarian purposes." Urie Thompson, 337 163, 180, 69 1018, 1030, 1282 (1949); 562, 1413-1414. accord principles, him losses, time trial.1 31 allows "damages," specifically "damages" Nonetheless, "in absence prohibition fashioned denied particular statutory obligations appraisal imposing them light deemed relevant Court." 7, Plainly, "congressional purpose" providing compensate Nothing history decisions suggests anything fully. "general principle" interpreting flexible remedies. ("[I]t creation static remedy, developed enlarged meet changing conditions concepts industry's duty toward workers"). Together, principle indicate To rail employee fully income trial, necessary income, it. "The foregone spent out-of-pocket expenses much party her wage rate." (concurring opinion), recognition full contexts, authorized overall whole. Devex 654-656, 2061-2063, (1983) (patent infringement); Jacobs 290 13, 16-17, 54 27-28, (1933) (eminent domain); Waite 282 508, 509, 227, 75 494 (1931) Miller Robertson, 266 243, 256-259, 73, 78-79, 265 (1924) (contract). short, pretrial whole, FELA.2 seem apparent, therefore, normal method deciding questions, case. reaching opposite conclusion, relies principally barred Ante, 337-338.3 From combination disallow entirely cases—an intent, effect, deny covered FELA.4 Closer scrutiny development reveals flaws facile analysis. 34 law's hostility usually traced medieval view evil thing. D. Dobbs, Remedies 3.5, 165 (1973); (1935). Before Henry VIII, English prohibited payment lending money. 283 1912). abhorrence forms gradually receded, enactment, "almost universally country 293; 293 (8th 1891). Thus, authority writing 1891, before passage gradual extension allowing clear." 297. sure, claims often summarily dismissed wrongful-death suits. McCormick 56, 224. was, nonetheless, [that] allowed tort where pecuniary," 316, 630 1912), and, sometimes resulted Washington Georgetown Hickey, App.D.C. 269, 275-276 (1898); Georgia Banking Garr, 57 Ga. 277, 280 (1876); Ell N.D. 336, 353, 48 222, 227 (1891) (pursuant statute). However, frequently joined noneconomic injury, pain suffering, awarded. generalization about unavailability criticized Professor "hasty injudicious": "It seems clearly desirable permitted, if required, those purely pecuniary person." Against background, might mandating railroads damages," actually blanket Certainly, many remedies, past widely viewed context litigation inappropriate objects today. Corporation, 1278, Comment, PrejudgmentInterest: An Element Not Be Overlooked, Cumberland L.Rev. 521, 536-537 (1977). elements compensation.5 concluded, wages seeks here. Therefore, departure inquiry relation creating obligation, indifference policy justification. C 37 particularly curious coming, does, involves Awarding really sides same coin. For precisely 'a future,' ante, 339, quoting 631-632, (1916), paid past. hard recognize meaning discounted fail term encompasses mandate through thus half-recognizes recover 'the flow deprivation benefits.' Michigan Vreeland, 59, 70, 192, 196, 417 (1913). previous discussions present-value calculations, symmetry awarding instructed: precise entire injury—the moment capacity impaired. period judgment, invested will still able replicate stream."6 40 411-412, 1348-1349, sum, reading comports applying Procedure, went verdict, including 339-342, event. As proved. THE CHIEF JUSTICE 43 reasons impermissibly erroneously gave conclusive requiring reverse upholding decision. agree, circumstances left free among alternative accounting anticipated inflation. 44 majority correctly notes state-court approximation accordingly. 339—340 "Although [it is] single determining mandated take account sources increases 1349, plain: lump risk systematic overcompensation plaintiffs. explained great detail best approximate become reasonable debate almost Some uncertainties arise phenomenon price economy, others possibility "productivity gains" real time. Absent cautiously impose phenomena litigants bench trials, explain choice. 548-549, 2556-2557, 46 believed choice issue, "blindly [of] (1980)." 100, 1171, 1178 (1986) (dissenting below); 577-578. selected [in ] most nearly claimant extent injuries sustained." Whatever said precluding individual reexamining rule, improper examining suitability court. 546, 551-553, 2555, 2557-2558. reluctance select [any] [for value] proposed establish exclusive trials inflationary economy." 2555. better reasoning precludes automatic estimating below believe charge reflecting impermissible Believing always "essentially question," "recommend methods" 'rigid limitation[s].' 341-342. mixed fact, imagine competing disputed questions. If, parties offered conflicting foreseeable increases, promotions eligible rise market plus increases. Cf. 544-545, 2554-2555 (discussing Beaulieu Elliott, 434 P.2d 665 (Alaska 1967)). us, raises possibility. set 579-583, 1036-1039 rates. 1175. (Under Kaczkowski, noted, estimates effects gains," depend largely industry worked. 579-580, 1036-1037.) virtually facts connection illustrated suggestion levels Brief Appellant 34. 49 Appellant's instruction, moreover, inflation, appears potentially far misleading -type given. Compare 68a-69a say, think instruction. Nor, amply demonstrates, prediction experience sense. nonetheless concludes adopted occurred jurors. speculate something uncertain disconnected hand. 50 contrary supported (1918). say reached today compelled decisions. steps assumed reduction, imply Holloway Choosing arbitrary suppose takes investment opportunities generally 537-539, 2550-2552. indicates, reversible introduced support 546-547, party's claim "rigid limitatio[n]" discretion, limitation. 380-381, 340-341. automatically prohibit employing rebuttable presumption rule. That reasonable, used chose deliberately. Unless shows argument appropriate, simply turning loose complex technical matters underlie value.* Kaczkowski. 68a-69a. suggested, show accurately Kaczkowski; opportunity evidence. 577; Assuming record suggestions (a leave address remand), require "deliberate suggested. verdict reinstated. offer exceed 125 offer, "delay made. three justices maintained "undermine[d] national uniformity achieve." 102, 1179. They "pure sophistry" majority's assertion device, observing "[a]ny damage twenty-five undeniably material damages." 101-102, addition, dissenters, refusal applied" asserted, 1178. Other 1274 1944); (1929). Appeals Third Circuit nature. 1274. acknowledged "both elements." Laudenberger Port Authority 496 52, 66, 436 154 (1981). BLACKMUN's concedes, authorities enactment "interest awarded" both Post, 347 (citing 224). Pierce, Government obtained criminal against corporation, fine imposed. civil corporation's shareholders satisfy judgment. "[a]t judgments interest; rests solely upon provision." 368. applicable postjudgment actions, either early depart extinguished death party. 67-68, 194-195, survival employee's statutes inapplicable procedure, 'but depends action.' 67, 194-195 (quoting Schreiber Sharpless, 110 76, 80, 423, 424, (1884)). considered proposal during deliberations Courts Improvement 1982, Pub.L. 97-164, 25. omitted final legislation. S.Rep. 97-275, pp. 11-12 (1981), U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News 11. obvious difference instant losses. 2061-2062, (1933); none seek arising similar causes occasion dispense silentio commonlaw dissent's characterization analysis "departure [the underlying] obligation." 348. presented Vicksburg Meridian Putnam, 118 545, 1, 257 (1886), passenger. shown tables. "tended mislead giving understand merely competent duration human life, life annuities, furnished absolute suffered." 4. derived computations guides conscience jury." 554, discussed aspect Putnam questioning continued validity intimating different 491-492, 632-633. "nothing prevents interested keeping control stipulating 'total offset' method's] trial." 550, 2557. At for, on, four distinct within FELA: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) earnings. GD 79-23765, Ct. Pleas, Cty., 694-695. lump-sum appellee, segregated my view, sanctions categories. denying windfall defendant. creates employer stall postpone possible. 656, 10, 2062, (1983). unlikely results program "liberal recovery" workers. "Congress' interpretation" 338-339. acquiescence auxiliary tool ambiguous provisions. expect affirmative move every indulges erroneous interpretation." Liberty Glass 524, 533-534, 229, 233-234, Helvering Reynolds, 313 428, 61 971, 973, 85 1438 (1941). "consistent relied unpersuasive. "Few contain extensive recent note older disposed point summarily." 1987). number opinions "excellent case" 566-568 Garcia 597 F.Supp. 1304 (Colo.1984), rev'd grounds, 818 713 Finally, construction, signaled result. (1958); Jamison Encarnacion, 281 635, 440, 74 1082 (1930). argue express reference is, itself, probative. succeed. First, above, approach technique silence. Second, authorization read recognizes: "Prejudgment recovered." 335 (emphasis added). Arguably, themselves truly compensatory. 8.1, 548-550 (1973). character. inherently established subjective discretion 14. speculative up realistic re Air Crash Disaster Near Illinois, May 25, 1979, 644 633 (CA7 1981), relied, stated plainly: "[Even when] [is rejected] separate element unquestionably involve form 'present value.' se allowable Illinois law] award, implicit 641. Despite contrary, 341, question. dealt Act, trier fact judge. 547, reason, resolved chosen 2556-2557 ("[W]e adopting [a 'real rate'] adopts 3% explains choice"). Third, Pfeifer's expressed expectation question." 342. Judges ordinarily expected explanations findings all.

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