Document: 525 U.S. 155119 S.Ct. 662142 L.Ed.2d 576 122 F.3d 99, reversed. SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES119 No. 97 475 EL AL ISRAEL AIRLINES, LTD., PETITIONER v. TSUI YUAN TSENG ON WRIT CERTIORARI TO STATES APPEALS FOR SECOND CIRCUIT [January 12, 1999] Justice Ginsburg delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Plaintiff-respondent Tsui Yuan Tseng was subjected to an intrusive security search at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York before she boarded El Al Israel Airlines May 22, 1993 flight Tel Aviv. seeks tort damages from for this occurrence. The episode-in-suit, both parties now submit, does not qualify as "accident" within meaning treaty popularly known Warsaw Convention, which governs air carrier liability "all international transportation." alleges psychic or psychosomatic injuries, but no "bodily injury," that term is used Convention. Her case presents a question Convention's exclusivity: When Convention allows recovery it correspondingly preclude passenger maintaining action under another source law, case, law? 2 exclusivity us has been settled prospectively protocol (Montreal Protocol 4) recently ratified by Senate.2 In accord with protocol, concedes, whose injury compensable (because entails injury" result "accident") will have recourse alternate remedy. We conclude United States subscribed, clarifies, change, domain. therefore hold personal suffered "on board [an] aircraft course any operations embarking disembarking," Art. 17, 49 Stat. 3018, if allowed available all. 3 Court Appeals Second Circuit ruled otherwise. court's view, plaintiff who did relief could seek local law sustained travel. 99 (1997). granted certiorari, 523 ___ (1998),3 and reverse Circuit's judgment. Recourse we are persuaded, would undermine uniform regulation designed foster. 4 * twice reserved decision on exclusivity. Air France Saks, 470 392 (1985), concluded passenger's caused airline be held accountable expressed view whether maintain "a state cause negligence." Id., 408. Eastern Airlines, Inc. Floyd, 499 530 (1991), mental injuries unaccompanied physical Article 17 declined reach "provides exclusive during 553. resolve earlier 5 At outset, highlight key provisions interpreting. Chapter I entitled "Scope Definitions," declares 1(1) "[C]onvention shall apply all transportation persons, baggage, goods performed hire." 3014.4 III, "Liability Carrier," defines Articles 18, 19 three kinds provides. establishes conditions passengers: 6 "The liable damage event death wounding other bodily passenger, accident so took place disembarking." 3018. 7 18 baggage goods. 3019.5 delay. Ibid.6 24, referring back 19, instructs: 8 "(1) cases covered articles damages, however founded, can only brought subject limits set out convention. 9 "(2) article preceding paragraph also apply, without prejudice questions persons right bring suit what their respective rights." 3020.7 II 10 With backdrop, next describe episode-in-suit. On 1993, arrived (hereinafter JFK) conformity standard preboarding procedures, guard questioned about her destination travel plans. considered Tseng's responses "illogical," ranked "high risk" passenger. taken private room where person were searched explosives detonating devices. She told remove shoes, jacket, sweater, lower blue jeans midhip. A female then body outside clothes hand electronic wand. 11 After search, lasted 15 minutes, personnel decided pose threat flight. later testified "was really sick very upset" flight, "emotionally traumatized disturbed" month-long trip Israel, that, upon return, underwent medical psychiatric treatment lingering effects search. 101 (CA2 1997) (internal quotation marks omitted). 12 filed against 1994 court first instance. complaint alleged claim based episode JFK. pleading charged, inter alia, assault false imprisonment, injury. removed federal court. 13 District Court, after bench trial, dismissed claim. See 919 Supp. 155 (SDNY 1996). That claim, concluded, governed creates "accident Supp., 157 158. stated, because "sustained id., 158, permit "recovery ibid. (citing U.S., 552). further pursue alternately, law; read 24 shields 17. 14 reversed relevant part. 1997).8 17's compass had occurred; Appeals' drafters "ai[m] impose close absolute liability" individual's "personal reaction" "routine operating procedures," measures although "inconvenien[t] embarass[ing]," "price passengers pay safety." 103 104.9 some tension reasoning, shield same procedures" assessment diverse laws signatory nations (and, States, one Nation) governing imprisonment. 104. said, "clearly states resort precluded incident 'covered' there accident, either plane disembarking, led death, injury." 104 105. found support drafting history construed "indicate national intended provide remedy expressly apply." rejected argument allowance state-law claims when contravene treaty's goal uniformity. our Zicherman Korean Lines Co., 516 217 (1996), "instruct specifically expresses compelling interest uniformity warrant supplanting otherwise applicable law." F.3d, 107. III 16 accept given Al's do conclusion issue. supra, 7, n. 9. accept, again purposes decision, actions constitute "wilful misconduct"; accordingly, confront issue 25 see 5, 7.10 dispute episode-in-suit occurred embarking. Our inquiry begins text prescribes liability. "[I]t responsibility give specific words consistent shared expectations contracting parties." 399. "Because land, Const., II, §2, agreement among sovereign powers, traditionally aids its interpretation negotiating (travaux preparatoires) postratification understanding Zicherman, 226. provides "cases 17" French text, "les cas prevus l'article may "only th[e] [C]onvention." 3020. prescription model clear drafter's art. recognize lend themselves divergent interpretation. Appeals, means those actually So read, satisfy law. 20 hand, amicus curiae, refers generically stemming occurrences simply distinguishes class (Article cases) involving damaged luggage goods, delay (which address). asserting transit including failed conditions, notably, "accident," 405, manifestation injury, 552. 21 Respect ordinarily due reasonable views Executive Branch concerning treaty. Sumitomo Shoji America, Avagliano, 457 176, 184 185 (1982) ("Although conclusive, attributed Government agencies charged negotiation enforcement great weight."). Government's construction most faithful purpose, overall structure. 22 cardinal purpose observed, "achiev[e] rules arising 552; 230. signatories, preamble, "recognized advantage regulating manner carrier." 3014. To desired uniformity, sets array which, declares, "apply aircraft." Ibid. Chapter, describes areas (personal loss, destruction, occasioned 19), exempting carriers 20), monetary 22), circumstances limit (Articles 23 25). 4, 7. Given comprehensive scheme textual emphasis hard put delegates meant distinct, nonuniform individual nations. looked precedent guidance point, misperceived meaning. It misread say preempting here 107; 8. acknowledges centrally endeavors "to foster travel." recognizes addresses vel non. 231. itself involved auxiliary issues: lieu passengers, harms they compensated. 221, 227. Looking history, states' scholarly commentary, determined liability, leave domestic (the identified forum choice approaches) determination compensatory suitor. complementary accommodate balance interests seeking potential Before accord, injured file suits limitations forum's laws, regime. This exposure inhibited growth then-fledgling industry. 546; Lowenfeld & Mendelsohn, 80 Harv. L. Rev. 497, 500 (1967). Many time endeavored require condition travel, relieve reduce carrier's Conference Private Aeronautical Law, October 1929, Warsaw, Minutes 47 (R. Horner D. Legrez transls. 1975) Minutes). compromise between customers worldwide. denied contractual prerogative exclude limited amount recover, restricted Construing allow produce several anomalies. Carriers might exposed unlimited legal regimes, prevented, treaty, such Passengers physically emergency landing caps while merely mishap free sue potentially damages. encourage artful plaintiffs opt promised excess prescribed Potter Delta Lines, Inc., 98 881, 886 (CA5 Such reading scarcely advance predictability adherence achieved worldwide.12 26 feared Tseng, malfunctioning escalator airline's terminal airline, even recklessly disregarded duty keep proper repair. As pointed curiae submission, however, concerns, exclusively, occurring 3018; Brief Amicus Curiae 16. "[T]he preemptive effect extends than own substantive scope." carrier, therefore, "is indisputably scope: e.g., 'any disembarking.' " (quoting 17). 27 raises different concern. argues escape intentional torts permitted terms Respondent But already cautioned definition "unusual external passenger," "[t]his should flexibly applied." 405 (emphasis added). hearing loss "indisputably result[ed] internal reaction usual, normal, expected operation 406 noted, 9, chose occurred, affirmative answer still unable recover treaty; gain compensation solely injuries. B 28 preliminary draft submitted conference made "in wounding, traveler." 264; 401. narrowed encompass "accident." 205. improbable intended, skirt pursuing law.13 29 Inspecting stressed proposal Czechoslovak delegation absence stipulation itself, 'the relative carriage each [signatory] State apply.' 105 176). withdrawn amendment title read: "Convention For Unification Of Certain Rules Relating Transportation By Air." 3014 added); saw indication "that 30 British House Lords, Sidhu Airways plc, [1997] All E. R. 193, inconclusive. Inclusion word "certain" title, Lords reasoned, accurately indicated "the [C]onvention concerned certain only, relating air." 204. example, "anything obligations insurance, particular compulsory insurance third party risks." words, partial harmonisation, directed issues deals," ibid., them, issues, aim unify." Pointing objective "ensure uniformity," 209, suggested underscore controlled "chapters attempting deal." light Lords' exposition, satisfied bear weight placed it. C 31 Montreal Senate September 28, 1998,14 amends part: "In ." Both agree amended clear: precludes bringing cannot establish Revised urges agree, alter, rule 32 Supporting position revised preemption established, disfavored generally, particularly matters health safety stake. 33. post, ("[A] like Act Congress, preempt unless intent clear.") (Stevens, J., dissenting). overlooks regard nation-state, subdivisions nation, focus perspective partners. home-centered analysis, applied, mechanically, construing obligations. 33 Decisions courts signatories corroborate effect. Sidhu, face psychological resulting occurrence R., 201, 207. Reviewing structure, access remedies, common otherwise, country he chooses raise his action." Courts bound recognized encompassing effect.16 "opinions sister signatories," "entitled considerable weight." 404 underlying sum, counsel adhere 34 35 reasons Accordingly, judgment Circuit. Notes 36 1. Air, Oct. 3000, 3014, T. S. 876 (1934), note following U.S.C. § 40105. 37 2. Amend Carriage signed Done Hague 8, 1955 4), reprinted Exec. Rep. 20, pp. (1998). 38 3. Federal divided Krys Lufthansa German 119 1515, 1518, (CA11 (recognizing split). Circuit, Third Abramson Japan 739 F.2d 130, 134 (1984), cert. denied, 1059 (1985). contrast, Fifth 885 (1996). 39 4. Citations official English translation 3023. Where relevant, out, addition, text. 3000 3009; 392, 397 40 5. provides, destruction of, to, checked 3019. 41 6. provides: goods." 42 forth number Among these, relieves "taken necessary avoid damage." harm baggage. invalidates "[a]ny [contract] provision tending fix laid down 25(1) renders inapplicable misconduct." 43 affirmed, discussion, Court's favor 108. petition certiorari regarding 44 An "an unexpected unusual happening passenger." 405. definition, cautioned, "be applied surrounding injuries." "[u]sing flexible application Supreme Court," "accident": "[A] routine erroneously aircraft, fairly characterized accident." 155, 158 disagreed. described searches "routine" part terrorism-prevention effort "widely encouraged law," price degree far afforded them." 103. observed reasonably aware kind conducts daily. risk mistakes, i.e., innocent searched, "[i]nherent detect malefactors," explained. thus encountered "ordinary events procedures transportation," event." questionable "flexibly applied" Saks. parties, disposition event, core remain. suffers "death, 530, 552 meet, 158; fails turn satisfy. 45 10. courts, urged 25, altered matter, "no evidence basis inferring [the selection searched] anything more mistake. Even mistake misconduct," added, "there wilful." left finding misconduct" undisturbed. brief opposition cite 25. preserved putting 46 11. reads: Dans les aux et toute en responsabilite, quelque titre que ce soit, ne peut e ;tre exercee dans limites prevues par la presente s'appliquent egalement dispositions de l'alinea precedent, sans des personnes qui ont le droit d'agir leurs droits respectifs." 3006. Literally translated, anticipated 17," Cassell's Dictionary 132, 592 (D. Girard ed. 1973), provided Oxford-Hachette 645 (M. Correard V. Grundy eds. 1994). 12. aimed "balance carrier," "increasing strength industry, properly shifted away protecting toward Postratification adjustments, appropriately signatories. 48 13. Sir Alfred Dennis Great Britain stated important touches substance [it] excludes 213 1975). 14. 144 Cong. Rec. S11059 (Sept. 1998). President instrument ratification November 1998. enter into force March 1999. 50 15. "1. rights. "2. cargo, contract maximum exceeded whatever gave rise liability." 29. 51 See, Gal Northern Mountain Helicopters Dkt. 3491834918, 1998 B. C. Lexis 1351, *15 *16 (July 1998) (reviewing helicopter crash, judge Columbia concluded: pursuant . [T]he except Convention." (Hunter, chambers)); Naval-Torres Northwest 159 (4th) 67, 73, 77 (1998) (considering exposure, second-hand smoke, Ontario (General Division) contention statutory exist apart Convention," "where falls exhaustive rights plaintiff") (Sharpe, J.); Emery Freight Corp. Nerine Nurseries Ltd., N. Z. 723, 735 736, 737 (concluding "must comply [C]onventio[n]," Zealand Appeal recalled "general [C]onventio[n] protect across boundaries vagaries regime them dealing them"); Seagate Technology Int'l Changi Servs. Pte 1, lost Singapore noted: "form sole foundation respect falling scope articles. cases, satisfaction need and, fact, plead otherwise."). Stevens, dissenting 52 53 54 55 dissenting. 56 My disagreement holding today practical significance, just conclusively future recent ante, 2, affects narrow category past cases. nevertheless significant because, end, rests novel premise analysis differently treaties Because disagree premise, briefly explain why believe erred. 57 largely supplant preempts major categories: (1) accident;1 (2) baggage; (3) delays.2 Those categories surely comprise bulk disputes passengers. 58 avail "exclude limit" misconduct willful.3 Moreover, wrongful act equivalent wilful submitted." vast majority preempted unequivocally 59 Putting these aside, sliver incidents arise neither nor willful misconduct.4 Although Treaty realized arise, recognizing creating band Frankly, am persuaded belongs interstitial niche resolved determining petitioner's willfulness matter Be may, insisted decide assumption silent. 60 Saks differ cited footnote emphasize importance respecting effect," none nonaccident. Ante, 18.5 unique character few sliver, me central affected, treat not. 61 overriding achieving 'uniformity transportation,' 11, accommodated situations explicitly regardless how decides case. circumstances, basic tradeoff carriers' avoiding passengers' obtaining proving fault fully achieved. 62 involve misconduct. Under reckless omission Koirala Thai Int'l, Ltd, 126 1205, 1209 1210 (CA9 1997); Goldhirsch, supra n.1 121 (stating civil jurisdictions gross negligence satisfies broad increases nations." 63 Thus, significantly impaired preempted, misconduct, slightly enlarged relatively rare resulted wrong. raises, resolving, nonaccident though accidents. unlike receives benefit normally valid requires result.6 64 Everyone agrees literal accident. equally nothing result. contrary, response advanced delegation, 15, suggests assumed inference strong enough, ambiguity plaintiff's favor. suffices me, ambiguous firmly clear. Medtronic, Lohr, 518 470, 485 (1996); Department Revenue Ore. ACF Industries, 510 332, 351 (1994); CSX Transp., Easterwood, 507 658, 664 (1993); Rice Santa Fe Elevator Corp., 331 218, 230 (1947). reason, respectfully dissent. 65 held, covers accidents, defined 24(2)'s reference include nonaccidents. leading treatise 17: "If lawyer want applicable, must either: a) prove client 1; b) unavailable deliver ticket 3; c) guilty 25) d) 'accident'.)" Annotated: Legal Handbook (1988) 66 preceeding 67 himself convention default as, accordance submitted, Similarly said provisions, agent acting employment." 68 (damage goods) delay) accidents; 24(1). 398. 69 *2 *3 (involving crash noting invoked claiming accident"); 74, 76 smoke constitutes declining Court); 727, 728 24(1)); (same). While correct assertion terrorist attack E.R. puzzled came conclusion. frequently hijacking 405; Ayache Air-France, franc. dr. aerien 450, 451 [1984] (T.G.I. Paris, 1st ch.,) (France); Air-France Consorts Telchner, 232, 240 (S. Ct. Israel). 70 result, accidents victim's remedies 24. (1991). not, anomaly Since (whether psychological) 24(2), "merely traumatized"

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