Document: 429 U.S. 648 97 S.Ct. 835 51 L.Ed.2d 112 Francis X. DONOVANv.PENN SHIPPING CO., INC., et al. No. 76-613. Feb. 22, 1977. PER CURIAM. 1 The petitioner, while employed by the respondents as a seaman on §§ Penn Sailor, slipped wet paint, injuring his right wrist and elbow. He sued under Jones Act, 46 U.S.C. § 688, obtained $90,000 verdict at jury trial. moved to set aside excessive. Fed.Rules Civ.Proc. 50, 59. District Court granted motion, ordered new trial damages unless petitioner agreed remit $25,000 of award. 2 After some time submitted proposed order stating that he accepted "under protest" reduced $65,000, but reserving nonetheless "his appeal therefrom." This language was adopted in entering judgment for amount $65,000. 3 sought appellate review Court's decision conditional In so doing asked Appeals Second Circuit discard settled rule plaintiff who has remittitur may not seek reinstatement original verdict. refused petitioner's invitation, dismissed appeal. 536 F.2d 536. 4 (1) properly followed our precedents holding cannot "protest" an attempt open it challenge A line decisions stretching back 1889 firmly established propriety which agreed. Kennon v. Gilmer, 131 29-30, 9 696, 698-699, 33 L.Ed. 110 (1889); Lewis Wilson, 151 551, 554-555, 14 419, 420-421, 38 267 (1894); Koenigsberger Richmond Silver Mining Co., 158 41, 52, 15 751, 756, 39 889 (1895); Woodworth Chesbrough, 244 79, 82, 37 583, 584, 61 1005 (1917). 5 There are Federal Courts depart from these unbroken precedents. Those held or intimated accepts correctness order. See, e. g., Bonn Puerto Rico Int'l Airlines, Inc., 518 89, 94 (C.A. 1975); United States 1160.96 Acres Land, 432 910 1970); Gorsalitz Olin Mathieson Chemical Corp., 1033 Steinberg Indemnity Ins. Co. North America, 364 266 1966); Delta Engineering Corp. Scott, 322 11, 1963). Other have suggested when entertaining cases pursuant its diversity jurisdiction, federal court should look state practice determine whether such is permitted. See Burnett Coleman 507 726 6 1974); Manning Altec, 488 127 1973); Mooney Henderson Portion Pack 334 7 1964). (2, 3) proper role courts system reviewing size verdicts is, however, matter law, see Hanna Plumer, 380 460, 466-469, 85 1136, 1141-1142, 8 (1965); Byrd Blue Ridge Rural Electric Coop., 356 525, 78 893, 953 (1958), law always prohibited appeals situation bar. correctly adhered consistent this decisions. clarify whatever uncertainty might exist, we now reaffirm longstanding court, prosecuting cause action, accepted. petition writ certiorari granted, affirmed. So ordered. THE CHIEF JUSTICE Mr. Justice BLACKMUN would grant case argued given plenary consideration rather than disposed summarily.

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