Document: 422 U.S. 1 95 S.Ct. 2016. 44 L.Ed.2d 643 INTERCOUNTY CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION et al., Petitioners,v.Noah C. A. WALTER, etc., al. No. 74—362. Argued April 23, 1975. Decided June 16, Syllabus Section 13 of the Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act provides that right to compensation for disability under shall be barred unless a claim therefor is filed within one year after injury. 22 that, upon his own initiative or application any party in interest, on ground change conditions because mistake determination fact, Deputy Commissioner Bureau Employees' (the agency charged with administering Act) may, 'at time prior date last payment compensation, whether not order has been issued, at rejection claim,' review case issue 'new order' which may terminate, continue, reinstate, increase, decrease such award compensation. A claimant, who was injured 1960 while working petitioner employer, total permanent § 13's one-year statute limitations. Petitioner insurance carrier, advance an by Commissioner, first paid weekly amount though denying extent disability, but 1965 notice it contesting reducing 50% temporary 1968 stopped reaching maximum its liability condition other than death. In 1970, two years receipt voluntary payment, claimant requested hearing this being action adjudicate merits either him carrier 10 following filing claim, no having entered during period. Respondent then petitioners brought suit enjoin enforcement. The District Court held Appeals reversed. Held: While language ambiguous, section's legislative history, including history amendment inserting phrase 'whether issued,' shows limit meant apply only Commissioner's power modify previously orders, therefore section does bar consideration timely 13, subject respect took until more claimant's payment. Taken historical statutory context, issued' properly interpreted mean merely imposed existing orders runs from final even if sought modified actually date. Pp. 6-12. 163 U.S.App.D.C. 147, 500 F.2d 815, affirmed. John Duncan, III, Washington, D.C., petitioners. Frank H. Easterbrook, respondents, pro hac vice, special leave Court. Mr. Justice REHNQUIST delivered opinion Act, Stat. 1432, 33 U.S.C. 913, provided 'The chapter injury.' We must decide same as amended, 922, bars deputy commissioner cessation payments. 2 Petitioners instant are Intercounty Construction Corp., Hartford Accident Indemnity Co., carrier. Respondents Noah Walter, administration Act,1 Mary Jones, personal representative Charles intervenor below employee Act. Claimant employer Columbia.2 Shortly thereafter, well limitations established Act,3 he Compensation. admitting injury course employment stated had begun $54 per week, payable commissioner.4 3 1965, controverting pending ground, inter alia, $27 rate disability. 1966 claims examiner benefits adjourned without claim. On January 1968, since payments totaled $17,280, February 11, Although 1960, neither nor intervening period resolving it.5 4 reversing initial concluded applicable awarding 921(b) against respondent Walter enforcement award. United States Columbia granted summary judgment petitioners, holding claim.6 appeal, Circuit reversed, erected barrier commissioner.7 5 Because conflict between Fifth Strachan Shipping Co. v. Hollis, 460 1108, cert. denied sub nom. Lewis 409 887, 93 114, 34 144 (1972), we certiorari. 419 1119, 801, 42 819 (1975). 6 provides: 7 'Modification awards 8 'Upon initiative, fact commissioner, accordance procedure prescribed 919 title, new Such affect paid, except increasing made effective injury, part due become unpaid, decreasing thereto excess decreased deducted unpaid manner method determined approval Secretary.' 9 urge, held, provision superimposes express contained providing claims, additional requiring where have made. their view, taken 22. contrast, respondents argue, issued him. commissioner. they say still-pending never here issue, it. 11 agree speaks ambiguously question before us. references order,' 'the limitation authority 'a commissioner' support interpretation orders. would make inapplicable enter filed. hand, points applicability all F.2d, 1116. This might also mean, when read provision, modification U.S.App.D.C., 150, 818; Strachen supra, 1117 (Ainsworth, J., dissenting). These conflicting indicia completely reconcilable considered alone, so resort provision. 12 enacted original 1927. 1424—1446. As concede, originally drafted applied commissioner: Awards 14 'Sec. Upon conditions, term final, 19, order.' Id., 1437. 15 adopted, 'during award' construed constrict previous pursuant Cf. F. Jarka Monahan, 29 741, 742 (Mass.1928). Commission (USECC), repeatedly recommended amended allow continuing 14th Ann.Rep. USECC 75 (1930); 15th 77 (1931); 16th 49 (1932); 17th 18 (1933). See Banks Chicago Grain Trimmers, 390 US. 459, 463—465, 88 1140, 1143—1144, 20 30 (1968). none annual reports there indication purpose broadening length could exercise 16 1934 Congress responded amending read: Cases 17 commission.' 48 807. inserted petitioners' rests, naturally urge intended 22, formerly claims. But bear out contention. 19 committee both Houses accompanying explain language: '(This bill) amends act broaden grounds can strictly limiting period, extends . 21 line recommendation (USECC) limits made.' S.Rep.No.588, 73d Cong., 2d Sess., 3—4 (1934); H.R.Rep.No.1244, (1934). similarly 464, S.Ct., 1144: 'broaden award." See, e.g., O'Keeffe AerojetGeneral Shipyards, 404 254, 255—256, 92 405, 406—407, 424 (1971). There superimpose limitations, addition required 23 1983 presently does. 52 1167. chief permitting claim.' largely superfluous already extended cover disposed And surrounding 1938 reveals clear congressional understanding Thus, example, House Report Amendment '(t)he extend cases provisions now connection finally acted commissioner.' H.R.Rep.No.1945, 75th 3d (1938). (Emphasis added.) H.R.Rep.No.1807, 74th Cong. 1st (1935); S.Rep.No.1199, H.R.Rep.No.2237, (1936); S.Rep.No.1988, 8—9 Regulations USECC, contemporaneously passage amendment, reflect administrative governed 'application(s) award.' CFR 31.15 (1938); 31.16 (1949). 24 indicated belief absence orderly conclusion incompatible scheme cooperation employers insurers envisaged court disagreed, indicating present procedures giving compel eliminate unfairness result fixed cases. 152, 820. 919(c); 706(1); Atlantic & Gulf Stevedores, Inc. Donovan, 274 794 (CA5 1960). Whatever resolution order, did establish decision 25 Affirmed. 1972, reponsibility transferred Office Workmen's Programs Department Labor. §§ 701.101—701.103 (1973). incorporates reference 901 seq. amended. D.C.Code Ann. 36—501 part: account .' 912 (1970 ed. Supp. III), requires give actual Since begin making called days receiving awaiting permits withholding dispute, common 914 III). Either obtain request 19(c) 919(c), practice many amicably settled through necessity formal n. 4, supra. unreported. reported 815 (1974).

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