Document: 451 U.S. 596 101 S.Ct. 1945 68 L.Ed.2d 472 Frederico RODRIGUEZ, Luis Perez, and Srecko Barulec, Petitioners,v.COMPASS SHIPPING CO., LTD., et al. No. 79-1977. Argued Jan. 12, 1981. Decided May 18, 1981.* Rehearing Denied July 2, See 453 923, 3160. Syllabus Section 33(b) of the Longshoremen's Harbor Workers' Compensation Act provides that a longshoreman's acceptance, pursuant to an award in compensation order, from his employer for injuries incurred course employment "shall operate as assignment all right person entitled recover damages against [a other than employer] unless [the longshoreman] shall commence action such third within six months after award." Petitioner longshoremen, who had been injured aboard ship their employment, accepted under respective stevedore employers. More awards, each petitioner commenced Federal District Court shipowner involved, alleging negligently caused injury. The Courts granted summary judgments shipowners (respondents) on ground that, because petitioners failed bring suit causes assigned employers thereafter exclusive pursue third-party claims. Appeals affirmed. Held : precludes pursuing claims respondent shipowners. Pp. 602-618. (a) language § is both mandatory unequivocal. only conditions precedent statutory are acceptance order passage required 6-month period, which were satisfied these cases. When occurs, it transfers employee's entire action, words "all right" precluding possibility partial or concurrent rights employee sue postassignment period. Although petitioners' claims, statute does not expressly require they do so nor provide relief employees should lie dormant. 602-604. (b) Nothing legislative history shows any intent by Congress preserve period expires. To contrary, indicates once expires, possesses complete control Moreover, forecloses argument did intend claim be effective there was absence potential conflict interest between assignee longshoreman. simple standard set forth 33(b)—exclusive cause protects interests consistent with Act's general policy encouraging prompt efficient administration 604-612. (c) There no evidence gave procedural mechanism, assignment, compel either reassign response formal request so. And Congress' failure amend 1972, when thoroughly reexamined, congressional approval Appeals' decision holding notwithstanding 33(b), longshoreman has may maintain whenever becomes evident intention file claim. Such inaction modify plain terms 33(b). 612-617. 617 F.2d 955 622 572 575, Martin Lassoff, New York City, petitioners. Joseph T. Stearns Francis X. Byrn, respondents. Justice STEVENS delivered opinion Court. 1 question presented three cases1 whether prosecute personal injury negligent operation (Act), 33 U.S.C. 901 seq.2 2 Each regular employment. asserted whom he employed. order.3 later,4 defendant injury.5 motions judgment filed reason longshoremen's months, stevedores claims.6 Second Circuit affirmed, (1980); 575 (1980),7 we certiorari resolve contrary Fourth Caldwell v. Ogden Sea Transport, Inc., 618 1037 (1980). 449 818, 69, 66 20.8 3 dispute about parties' following award, elapsed. In former situation, action; recovery excess amount pay cost litigation reimburse paid belongs entirely longshoreman.9 latter litigation; net recovery—after costs have recouped—must shared 80% 20% employer.10 cases what right, if any, fails thereafter. Both its amendments dictate same answer. 4 * Even though direct, appropriate begin quoting our description last Term context appears: 5 "The comprehensive scheme governing shipowner. make election receipt person, 933(a). After receiving stevedore, given party. 933(b). If seek operates party." Bloomer Liberty Mutual Ins. Co., 445 74, 77-78, 100 925, 927-928, 63 215. 6 As apparent, plays central role this scheme. 7 It 933(b) (emphasis supplied).11 8 months. These admittedly cases.12 encompasses preclude one divest sue, possess post-assignment employer. 9 Application undisputed facts leads conclusion Petitioners actions well beyond compensation, offered excuse delay. Therefore, appear without statute. 10 attempt avoid mandated language, contend construed include unexpressed condition assignment—namely, possible employer-stevedore employee—or grant implicit reassigned sue. Normally, contentions would foreclosed lack ambiguity language. But also unambiguous 1956 held Czaplicki Hoegh Silvercloud, 351 525, 76 946, L.Ed. 1387, contained limited exception. therefore evaluate light relevant history. making evaluation, however, adhere rule "[a]bsent clearly expressed statutory] must ordinarily regarded conclusive." Consumer Product Safety Comm'n GTE Sylvania, 447 102, 108, 2051, 2056, 64 766. II 11 originally enacted 1927, elect certain proof fault, less certain, but probably more generous, remedy party.13 accept effected immediate negligence.14 Under original Act, could both, nothing election. See, e. g., Toomey Waterman S. Corp., 123 718, 721 (CA2 1941). 12 1938, amended payment "under deputy commissioner."15 This change designed protect harsh consequences improvident election.16 thereby reduced danger being advised consequences, 1938 amendment mitigate those made. 13 1956, enforce party, supra.17 case, party allegedly responsible unseaworthy insured Travelers Insurance Co. Because recovering payments made insurance carrier,18 carrier prosecuting defending claim, sufficient suit. assignee's employee, allow own name.19 hold occurred; rather, "the peculiar facts" consequent bar action.20 14 Two years Czaplicki, Johnson Sword Line, 257 541 (1958), Third different sort accepting previously held, Ryan Stevedoring Pan-Atlantic S.S. 350 124, 232, 133, liable assert indemnity employer-stevedore. That inevitably created stevedore's recouping awarded avoiding risk substantially larger liability indemnitor. reasoned authorized practical effect enlarging conflict-of-interest rationale narrowly rested encompass every case action.21 Accordingly, court concluded presumed exist obviously lacking merit. F.2d, at 544-546.22 15 impact upon brought attention well. House Subcommittee conducted hearings proposed legislation ultimately evolved into 1959 Act.23 One bills considered H.R.5357, provided, among things, successfully pursued keep one-third recovery. explained Congressman Zelenko, bill's author, provisions problems identified Black's dissenting Stevedoring.24 Other witnesses appearing before concern problem endorsed H.R.5357 solution problem.25 16 1959, acted claims.26 Its create define exception law. Rather, adopted Zelenko bill amending postpone law until 33(e) retain one-fifth proceeds successful action.27 provision, course, give unqualified during financial circumstances imperative settlement forfeiting liberal bringing employer's interest—or possibly erroneous evaluation merits claim—might result abandonment.28 provided additional incentive giving him share 17 purports encourage qualify takes place. claims.29 18 defined Stevedoring.30 unequivocally choice favor first then thereafter, instead opting form simultaneous joint control. employers, Potomac Electric Power Director, Office Programs, 268, 282, 509, 517, 446. III 19 end occurs automatically, retains "readily found" mechanism implementing nonstatutory reassignment, id., 1046, find substantive itself discerned. 20 predicate Circuit's analysis assumption lose simply take decided thereafter.31 "practical problem" fashioned "solution" "does specifically provide." Id., 1045. We persuaded readily found indeed act promptly employer.32 will choose character procedures outlined fashioning new remedies deal aspect addressed.33 fact parties sometimes fail meritorious refusing unequivocal bar. IV 21 Finally, relying Edmonds Compagnie Generale Transatlantique, 443 256, 99 2753, 61 521, argue re-examined, evidences Columbia Wynn, 120 U.S.App.D.C. 13, 343 295 (1965) (per curiam ). 16, 298. Joyner F & B Enterprises, 145 262, 264, 448 1185, 1187 (1971). protection, apply present. judgment, justify independent Act.34 U.S.App.D.C., 22 For reasons already stated, correctly construe amendments.35 true disclaim amendments. Nor endorse Wynn decision. importantly, interpretation announced can hardly compared well-established maritime issue Edmonds. believe "Congress relied conditions" created. Edmonds, supra, 273, S.Ct., 2763.36 fact, changes 1972 remind us purposes minimize need means providing workmen. SeeBloomer, U.S., 86, 932. 23 Three Amendments pertinent. First, level benefits increased, increasing likelihood recoverable fault adequate.37 Second, shipowner's eliminated, removing category courts, placing definite limits costs, source employees.38 Third, nearly absolute unseaworthiness further narrowing area relative importance awards favored method compensation.39 generally Scindia Steam Navigation De Los Santos, 156, 164-165, 1614, 1620-1621, 1. changes, necessarily balanced conflicting vessel owner, interpreting various details compromise, wisest closely written.40 meaning respected. V 24 sum, conclude Whatever continued validity decide today,41 involve based. essentially conflicts inherent relationships stevedores, notion some post-Czaplicki decisions untenable Amendments. leave another day specific serious foreseen 33. 25 Affirmed. Together Perez Arya National Shipping Ltd., Barulec Ove Skou, R. A., (see Court's Rule 19.4). single petition behalf petitioners, lawsuits proceeded independently earlier stages litigation. separate opinions issued. Rodriguez Compass 456 F.Supp. 1014 (SDNY 1978); 468 799 1979); 471 358 1979). affirmed published opinion, (1980), unpublished orders citing Rodriguez. provides: "Acceptance commissioner [Benefits Review] Board 44 Stat. (part 2) 1440, amended, cases, plaintiffs agreed settlements informal conferences convened Programs. since-amended regulation embodied orders, see CFR 702.315(a) (1976), entered argued lower courts provision activated "compensation Board," rejected argument, concluding agreements reached official equivalent Rodriguez, 1018-1020; F.Supp., 360-362. agreed. 958-960. challenged ruling certiorari, granting extend question. 20. decision, assume operated apparently below award" approximately 32 year compensation. 957; 800; 359. 33(a), 933(a), "If account disability death payable chapter determines persons employ damages, receive person." 5(b) 905(b), "In event covered negligence vessel, anyone otherwise thereof, accordance section 933 title, directly indirectly warranties void. employed stevedoring services, permitted engaged services vessel. building repair subsection based warranty seaworthiness breach thereof time occurred. except available chapter." although contention more, establishes resulting reassignment longshoreman, opportunity present establishing interest, 1387. 1023; 801; 362. Despite discovery, none able supporting allegation, accordingly n. 1, supra. issued eight days Circuit. 33(f) 933(f), institutes proceedings prescribed subdivision sum equal Secretary over recovered 933(e), "Any distributed follows: "(1) to— "(A) expenses respect compromise (including reasonable attorney's fee determined Board); "(B) actually furnished 907 title; "(C) amounts compensation; "(D) value computed schedule prepared Secretary, estimated commissioner, retained trust fund become due, finally remaining representative; "(2) representative, belong employer." 269, 2761, described 33(b): "Under 933(b), administrative stevedore-employer sues months." nn. 3, 4, enacted, 33(a) read: elect, notice manner commission provide, 1440. provided: notified election." From 52 1168. amendment's purpose Report: remove complaint regarding mere work automatically tort feasor. Acceptance knowledge grave injustice. might properly contingent thus . consider loss refusal alleged injury." H.R.Rep.No.1945, 75th Cong., 3d Sess., (1938). Hernandez Costa Armatori, p. 467 1064, 1066 (EDNY 1979), affirmance 573 1980). interim two significance case. 1946, Seas Sieracki, 328 85, 872, 90 1099, unseaworthiness, negligence. indemnification contractual duty workmanlike service. overruled Sieracki Stevedoring. 2757. 33(i) read insurer subrogated "Travelers, therefore, proper action." 529, 948. subrogation now 33(h), 933(h). reasoning detail: "[T]he even assigned. inconsistent assignee, presumably want recoup employee. Since comes likely better position institute 'or instituting proceeding.' 33(d), 933(d). think presupposes through obtain Here, where interests, defeat would, effect, itself, adverse circumstance, enforce, name, originally." 531, 950. At several points emphasized nature holding: "Czaplicki's most suffer enforced. circumstances, cannot agree precluded enforcing himself." 530, 949. "Respondents since not, proceed parties, rather chose revoke But, pointed out, 'election sides coin.' American Stevedores, Inc. Porello, 330 446, 455, 67 847, 852, 91 1011. here procedure secure proceeds, action. reason, step toward suit." 532-533, 950-951. Stevedoring: "Since recouped company, employer-stevedoring companies, anticipate resist made, taken place company refuse shipowner, token eventual high way hence carrier." F.2d., 545. articulated greater detail Black know wins lawsuit, loses lawsuit." 145, 243. Cf. Di Somma N. V. Koninklyke Nederlandsche Stoomboot, 188 292 1960). expansion uniformly federal courts. broad reading situation Sabol Merritt Chapman Scott 241 765 1957). Hearings Special Committee Education Labor Bills Relating 84th 2d Sess. (May 23, 24, June 11, 1956) (House Hearings). opened testimony inserting record copy "endangered seriously weakened" longshoremen parties. Hearings, indicated dissent accurately summarized damaging effects 12. He went explain: "H.R.5357 avoids eliminates Judge detriment Ibid. Later, questioning members Subcommittee, connection "I hope I answered your trying show be. factual legal assuming pending time, proceeding it, suffer. talking about. go chooses ahead, so; starts lawsuit so, avail himself gets measure protection." 15. added them 12-13, 19, 43-44, 102. 28, 44-45, 61-62, 72, 103-105, 106-107, 110, 115, 124-125. 83-84, 92-93. noted Czaplicki's attorneys participated hearings, They informed argued. 59, 62. 26 Report predecessor stated: "Developments concerned automatic ." H.R.Rep.No.229, 86th 1st (1959). 27 5, 28 Senate committee revise permit act. theory practice [a] sound approach difficult problem. amendment, principle applied due recognition equities involved. ". S.Rep.No.428, (1959), U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News pp. 2134, 2135. 29 2-3; 3-4. 15, 19-20, 44-45. 30 Whether unsuual problems, whether, extent, survived 31 "Ordinarily, having facing achieved LHWCA. "But LHWCA yet interrupt wrench expectations. arise design inadvertence while exclusively his. Following failure, may, variety reasons, thought sufficiently warrant expense militates dilatory point threatened limitations these, precisely degree all, faces direct solution: forcing somehow retrieving While solution, certainly intended lost barred prosecution anyone. What needed adequately whatever reason." aptly evaluated so-called "problem" action: "[W]hatever neglects, claim." 802. "Consequently, done before, reject 'theory nowhere appears never mentioned process, comport intent, restricts remedial .' Northeast Marine Terminal Caputo, 432 [249], 278-279 [97 2348, 2365, 53 320]." 271, 2762. 34 suggest justified normal reluctance customer. However, rejecting similar 1067-1068, flaw reasoning: "[T]his kind matter viewed invalidate assignment. always Presumably prefer offense "Plaintiff referred 'conflicts interest' aware enacting exceptions out Act." addition, where, often 933(h), much significance. unlikely sacrifice fear antagonizing customer stevedore. 35 Czaplicki. discussed 605-607, drawn redress inequities arose avoided 36 Indeed, shortly decided, Fifth still good law, case-by-case basis. McClendon Charente Steamship 348 298, 301-303 (1965). declined adopt Wynn. 303. 37 Programs Rasmussen, 440 29, 32-35, 903, 906-908, 59 122. 38 39 explanation eliminating remedy, accompanying heard number line increased recent resources utilized improved spent defray costs. Industry testified despite 1961 frequency rates decreased industry, maximum remained constant, higher recoveries workers encouraged delay return H.R.Rep.No.92-1441, 92d (1972), 4698, 4702. 40 put down pen, neither rewrite call back 'to cancel half Line.' Our task interpret said .." 47, 913. 41 indicates, undercut basis troubled "no procedure" interest. amendments, procedure: Similarly, extent progeny sought Stevedoring, eliminate judicially "[B]efore [1972] Amendments, suit, frequently With abolition common shipowner." 84-85, 932-933, Valentino Rickners Rhederei, G. M. B. H., 552 466, 470 1977).

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