Document: 453 U.S. 473 101 S.Ct. 2870 69 L.Ed.2d 784 GULF OFFSHORE COMPANY, a Division of the Pool Company, Petitioner,v.MOBIL OIL CORPORATION et al. No. 80-590. Argued March 31, 1981. Decided July 1, Syllabus Respondent Mobil Oil Corp. contracted with petitioner for latter's performance certain operations on offshore oil drilling platforms. Under agreement, promised to indemnify all claims resulting directly or indirectly from work. One petitioner's employees (also respondent), working an platform above seabed Outer Continental Shelf, was injured while, because storm, he being evacuated aboard boat chartered by Mobil. The employee brought suit damages in Texas state court, alleging negligence and boatowner. filed third-party complaint indemnification against petitioner. trial court rejected contention that lacked subject-matter jurisdiction over Mobil's cause action arose under Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), which vested exclusive federal district court. During trial, denied request instruct jury personal injury awards are not subject income taxation they should increase decrease award contemplation tax consequences. found negligent awarded $900,000 his injuries. It also sustained injuries while performing work contract indemnification. then entered judgment amount $900,000. Court Civil Appeals affirmed, Supreme review. Held : 1. Federal courts do have indemnity cases arising OCSLA. Nothing language, structure, legislative history, underlying policies OCSLA suggests Congress intended exercise such actions. Pp. 477-484. (a) As general principle, may assume absent provision contrary disabling incompatibility between claim state-court adjudication. P. 477-478. (b) did explicitly grant And plan—declaring be area "exclusive jurisdiction" adopting "applicable inconsistent" laws adjacent States fill substantial "gaps" coverage law—is inimical inherent sovereignty political territory precludes entertaining concerning events occurring governed law. Nor can OCSLA's history read rebut presumption concurrent jurisdiction, given Congress' silence statute itself. 478-483. (c) operation OCSLA, borrows law govern it, will frustrated allowing actions advance interests identified enacting special relationship men platforms shore commute visit their families. 483-484. 2. Whether entitled instruction cautioning depends matters were addressed below initially considered it remand case. Subsequent Appeals' determination current case law, this decided Norfolk & Western R. Co. v. Liepelt, 444 490, 100 755, 62 689. In case, Employers' Liability Act, Court, absence any guidance statute, articulated common-law rule defendant is taxation. However, mandates State (Louisiana here) applies as "[t]o extent [it is] question whether incorporation finding "inconsistent" announced Liepelt need answered here only if Louisiana would require upon timely request. Thus, remanded determine requires and, does not, displaces 484-488. 594 S.W.2d 496, affirmed part, vacated remanded. Charles D. Kennedy, Houston, Tex., Frank Caton, respondent Joseph Jamail, Gaedecke. Justice POWELL delivered opinion Court. 1 This us 67 Stat. 462, amended, 43 U.S.C. § 1331 seq. (1976 ed. Supp.III). We consider 689 (1980), instructed taxation, applicable 2 * Corp., petitioner, Gulf Offshore Co., latter perform completion Louisiana. part While progress September 1975, advent Hurricane Eloise required workers Mexico. 3 Steven Gaedecke Shelf. storm approached, took him safely aboard. Shortly thereafter, assisting crewmen attempting evacuate other turbulent sea, washed across deck vessel wave. He suffered primarily back. 4 District Harris County, petitioner.1 its answer, had complaint. Petitioner argued United contention, went before jury. 5 submitting jury, them found, however, Based two verdicts, judge 6 affirmed. 496 (1979). held subjectmatter causes action.2 acknowledged but no explicit command federal-court exclusive. observed unnecessary incorporates scene events, when inconsistent laws. 1333(a)(2). reasoned, "[t]he end result application same matter where forum located, federal." S.W.2d, at 502. err refusing 7 granted certiorari resolve conflict suits OCSLA3 taxable appropriate 449 1033, 607, 66 494 (1980). II A. 8 principle straightforward: statecourt Dowd Box Courtney, 368 502, 507-508, 82 519, 522-523, 483 (1962); Claflin Houseman, 93 130, 136, 23 L.Ed. 833 (1876). premised relation National Government within our system. See Federalist (Hamilton). sovereignty, although Constitution limits powers each recognize paramount. confers rights binding courts, first instance laws.4 9 considering propriety particular claim, begins enjoy jurisdiction. California Arizona, 440 59, 66-67, 99 919, 924, 59 144 (1979); U.S., S.Ct., 522-523. Congress, confine either implicitly. rebutted statutory directive, unmistakable implication clear interests. ibid.; Claflin, supra, 137. Garner Teamsters, 346 485, 74 161, 98 228 (1953) (grievance Labor Relations Board prevent unfair labor practice relief injunction court). B 10 No one argues "originaljurisdiction controversies out connection conducted outer . ." 1333(b).5 black letter mere operate oust action.6 Bank New York Trust 296 463, 479, 56 343, 348, 80 331 (1936). 11 declares jurisdiction." 1333(a)(1). Chevron Huson, 404 97, 100, 92 349, 352, 30 (1971).7 contend assertion evinces congressional intent Fluor Ocean Services, Inc. Rucker 341 F.Supp. 757, 760 (E.D.La.1972). argument perceived relating think mistakes purpose necessitating 12 extends "Constitution civil States" subsoil "artificial islands fixed structures" built discovery, extraction, transportation minerals. All surrogate 1333(a)(2); Rodrigue Aetna Casualty 395 355-359, 89 1835, 1837-1839, 360 (1969). involving content borrowed State, id., 362-365, 1840-1842. Cf. Kimbell Foods, Inc., 715, 1448, 711 (1979) (state incorporated common priority liens created law). 13 plan Ohio River Contract Gordon, 244 68, 37 599, 61 997 (1917). 16 457 (personal wrongful-death "within national park place States, exterior boundaries State" shall maintained State). Evans Cornman, 398 419, 424, 90 1752, 1756, 26 370 (1970) (residents "subject process courts"). "The judiciary power every government looks beyond own local municipal laws, lays hold subjects litigation parties though dispute relative most distant globe." 82, p. 514 (H. Lodge 1908) (Hamilton), quoted 138. routinely States' See, e. g., Dennick Railroad 103 11, 439 (1881). Allstate Ins. Hague, 302, 633, 521 (1981). That location event giving rise rather than another introduce new limitation State's jurisdiction.8 72, 601. 14 Section 1333(a)(3) provides "adoption never interpreted basis claiming interest behalf property natural resources thereof revenues therefrom." contravene provision. again confuses judicial speaks geographic concerned assure control resources. n. 7, supra. language refers "any over" real property, minerals, revenues, action. Indeed, opponents urged extend seaward least some purposes. Cong.Rec. 7230 (remarks Sen. Ellender), 7232 Long) (1953). Senate Report explains make plain adoption cannot "for participation administration areas outside boundaries." 1953 S.Rep., 23. 15 relies principally criticisms Senators Louisiana, Ellender Long, who opposed bill eventually became OCSLA.9 Yet fears doubts opposition authoritative guide construction legislation." Schwegmann Bros. Calvert Distillers 384, 394, 71 745, 750, 95 1035 (1951).10 Moreover, amendments offered sought confer mineral wealth cases. (Sen. (1953).11 C factors generally recommending include12 desirability uniform interpretation, expertise judges assumed greater hospitality peculiarly claims.13 These support whose governing rules There interpretation vary State. applying these certainly thought unsympathetic labeled 17 Allowing A recurring consideration deliberations leading enactment "the [platforms] families." 365, 1842. allow workers, lawyers, pursue individual familiar, convenient, possibly less expensive fora. 103, 353 limitations OCSLA). 18 summary, nothing III 19 104(a)(2) Internal Revenue Code 1954, 104(a)(2). so ruling relied Johnson Penrod Drilling 510 F.2d 234, 236-237 (CA5) (en banc) (per curiam), cert. denied, 423 839, 96 46 58 (1975), Jones prohibited presenting evidence instructing impact taxes based lost wages. subsequently (FELA) 45 51 seq., future wages (1980).14 now properly jury.15 20 Our task source must available discussed above, apply subchapter laws." those "which extended margin Ibid. thus contains choice-of-law 8, agree substantive unless 21 To directive both potentially Subsequently decision noted we FELA taxation.16 afforded issue, holding rule. eliminate juries "an doubt speculation might improper computation damages." 498, 759-760.17 furthers strong fairness efficiency claims. If been silent about given. 22 But silent. distinguish judge-made seem "inconsistent," controls. Doubt arises, remedy provided thereby "specifically uniformity" paramount goal. 104, 354. Chevron, recognized "Congress made filling 'gaps' law; intend themselves creating law." Id., 104-105, face analogous question: preclude actions? answer question18 solely superseded. circumstances better decides error refuse instruction, address respondents' prejudiced error. 24 Affirmed 25 STEWART BLACKMUN, whom BRENNAN MARSHALL join, concurring result. 27 I join Court's Parts II, concur further proceedings applicability adopted write separately reservations expressed intention expansively, unwise present posture. 28 makes clear, ante, 488, determine, first, what form second, "other acknowledges, agree, contained creates "[d]oubt," 487, instruction. understand incorporating permit lands determined essentially bordering lands. apparently provide kind uniformity result, regardless shelf neighboring thus, encourage use weigh, initial differs rule, desire outweighs need, find self-evident "federal rule" greatly "furthers claims," 486, Act. my view, settled remains open claimed grounds allegation caused accident. Prior into conditional settlement agreement Mobil, limited potential recovery $200,000; return agreed proceed contract. personam business Texas. resident Tex. Kemper Group, 386 So.2d 1006 (La.App.1980); Friedrich Whittaker 467 1012 (S.D.Tex.1979); Gravois Travelers Indemnity 173 550 (La.App.1965). Permitting entertain facilitates enforcement rights. hear stand ready vindicate right, always review, course, Martin Hunter's Lessee, Wheat. 304, 346-348, 97 (1816). practical concern more important creation 1875 federal-question amended recodified jurisdictional provisions 1978, without effecting change casts light issue today. Pub.L. 95-372, Title 208(b), 657. S.Conf.Rep.No.95-1091, 114 (1978). cf. 208(a)(2)(B), 657 (contemplating Attorney General violations Act). codified 1349(b)(1) ed., opinion, employ citations prior recodification. defeats reliance 1333(a)(2): "All administered enforced officers States." phrase "such laws" 1333(a)(2) infra, 480-481. merely like indicates exclude confirms "to assert development vast resources." S.Rep.No.411, 83d Cong., 1st Sess., (hereinafter S.Rep.). enacted wake decisions enjoyed ownership exclusion States. Texas, 339 707, 70 918, 94 1221 (1950); 699, 914, 1216 (1950). California, 332 19, 1658, 91 1889 (1947). Maryland 451 725, 730, 2114, 2120, 68 576 chose retain underlay high seas there implicated foreign Nation. 6. Much framework granting leases exploration extraction minerals submerged §§ 1334-1343. unaware, close, longstanding manifested itself gaps 1842, emphasized involves express supersede normal apply. 102-103, 353, 926 (1971). proper venue found: "in resides nearest arose." report Committee Department Justice, "have lawmaking enforcement" Department's premise "not comparable federally owned State." 1333(a)(1) located Senator Long fear placed courts. (minority report); 7233 Most Senators' statements regarding effect criticize placing criminal 7231-7232 Ellender). gives crimes, 3231, has relevance Exclusive protect parties. plaintiff choose prefers, remove could originally 1441(b). Also, deciding collaterally even raising directly. Note, Jurisdiction Courts Private Actions, Harv.L.Rev. 509, (1957). Redish Muench, Adjudication Causes Action 75 Mich.L.Rev. 311, 329-335 (1976); Harv.L.Rev., supra n.12, 511-515. court's refusal showing plaintiff's earnings. 493-496, 757-759. second Respondents argue necessity requested preserve objection manner incorrect. merits reject foreclosed Gaedecke's evidentiary predicate taxes. Respondents' prospectively insubstantial. Here, direct appeal. "[A]n appellate time renders decision." Thorpe Housing Authority City Durham, 393 268, 281, 518, 525, 474 (1969); see Schooner Peggy, Cranch 49 (1801). well exception "manifest injustice," Bradley Richmond School Board, 416 696, 717, 2006, 2019, 40 476 (1974), equitable reach private extinguish retrial Lang Pacific 624 1275, 1279-1280, (CA5 1980). considerations retroactive application: failure give lead recovering windfall award. 497-498, 759-760. overwhelming weight authority supports decision. O'Byrne St. Louis Southwestern 632 1285 1980); Flanigan Burlington Northern 880 (CA8 supra; Crabtree Louis-San Francisco Ill.App.3d 35, 44 Ill.Dec. 113, 411 N.E.2d Other applied retroactively comment. Cazad Chesapeake 622 72 (CA4 Seaboard Coast Line Yow, 384 (Ala.1980). Ingle Illinois Central 608 76 (Mo.App.1980), 450 916, 1359, indicated quotation approval explanation Domeracki Humble Refining 443 1245, 1251 (CA3), 883, 212, 165 (1971), longshoreman's unseaworthiness vessel. " 'We take notice "tax consciousness" American public. Yet, recognize, Dempsey Thompson, 363 Mo. 339, 251 42 (1952), few members public aware exemption Code. ' "[T]here danger today's tax-conscious (mistakenly course) therefore verdict big enough get deserves after imaginary taken it." 'II Harper James, Law Torts 25.12, 1327-1328 (1956).' 497, 759. None reasoning directed particularly FELA. come attention conclusive guidance. Compare earlier Guerra Young Construction 882 (La.App.1964) (not deny instruction), later DeBose Trapani, 295 (La.App.1974), Francis 376 609 (La.App.1979) (proper instruction). Fifth Circuit diversity Croce Bromley 623 1084 sub nom. Cortese, 981, 1516, 816 (1981), followed Guerra.

Category: 9