Document: 502 U.S. 197 112 S.Ct. 560 116 L.Ed.2d Kenneth HILTON, Petitionerv.SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC RAILWAYS COMMISSION. No. 90-848. Argued Oct. 8, 1991. Decided Dec. 16, Syllabus Respondent South Carolina Public Railways Commission, a state agency that is common carrier engaged in interstate commerce by railroad, was sued court under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) its employee, petitioner Hilton, who alleged he injured course of his employment as result Commission's negligence. In dismissing complaint on ground FELA does not authorize damages action against agency, even if suit maintained forum, trial acknowledged Parden v. Terminal Railway Alabama Docks Dept., 377 184, 84 1207, 12 233, this Court interpreted to permit such actions, but held effect had been overruled subsequent decisions Court. The Supreme affirmed. Held: creates cause state-owned enforceable court. Pp. 201-207. (a) Absent sufficient, countervailing justifications for departing from precedent, strong considerations favoring adherence stare decisis case compel reaffirm insofar it held, U.S., at 187-188, S.Ct., 1210-1211, when Congress used phrase "[e]very railroad" describe class employers subject FELA's terms, intended include railroads. Weight must be accorded continued acceptance holding Congress, which has almost 30 years take corrective disagreed with holding, chosen do so. Moreover, overruling would require an extensive legislative response many States, including Carolina, have specifically excluded railroad workers workers' compensation coverage assumption adequately protects those event injuries caused employer's negligence, and dislodge settled rights expectations employees acting assumption. Overruling also throw into doubt Court's entire federal scheme regulation applies 201-203. (b) Decisions depart case. Welch Texas Dept. Highways Transportation, 483 468, 478, 107 2941, 2948, 97 389—which Jones Act, incorporates remedial scheme, abrogate States' Eleventh Amendment immunity court, ibid., explicitly reserved question whether (or FELA) create id., 476, n. 6, 2947, 6 (plurality opinion); see 495, 2957 (WHITE, J., concurring)—cannot characterized having considered rejected aforementioned arguments following decisis, since neither addressed nor discussed most vital consideration today's decision: confer state-court strip all protection state-employed workers. Further, cannot treated determinative issue here presented, Welch's statement may constitutionally secured "only" making intention unmistakably clear statutory language, 471, 2944, made context establishing rule constitutional law based Amendment, apply courts. Nor effectively Will Michigan State Police, 491 58, 65, 109 2304, 2308, 105 45, which, "person" suable 42 U.S.C. § 1983, relied part lack any "clear statement" statute congressional intent impose liability. Will's per se law, only "ordinary construction," ibid. case, Will, pure construction, where doctrine compelling. Thus inquiry need decide satisfies standard, prevail over applied longstanding construction implicating important reliance interests. And either overcome or inapplicable so liability upon Supremacy Clause makes every State, fully 203-207. Reversed remanded. KENNEDY, delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., WHITE, STEVENS, SOUTER, JJ., joined. BLACKMUN, concurred judgment. O'CONNOR, filed dissenting opinion, SCALIA, THOMAS, took no decision Robert J. Beckham, Jacksonville, Fla., petitioner. Keating L. Simons, III, Charleston, S.C. respondent. Justice KENNEDY 1 we (FELA), 53 Stat. 1404, 45 §§ 51-60, We hold does, reaffirming our 233 (1964). 2 * Petitioner Hilton employee Commission. some 300 employees, created 1969. alleges scope negligence Commission accident. now before us 3 To recover injuries, first United States District That pending announced 389 (1987), 33, 41 1007, 46 U.S.C.App. 688, immunity. FELA; and, understanding suits well FELA, dismissed action. He refiled us. 4 Hilton's money forum. Though acknowledging supra, said "has severely limited Court." App. Pet. Cert. 22. "is longer good law," 23, ordered dismissed, whereupon appealed 5 While appeal pending, decided Freeman 302 51, 393 S.E.2d 383 (1990). Addressing same raised suits. As did concluded decisions. authorizes railroads, entering business operating waives latter Welch, accord more recent jurisprudence, explicit declining FELA), States. Id., concurring). other words, disturb statutory-construction Parden. 7 addressing issue, found "dispositive" (1989). brought 1983 Michigan. term statute, regardless forum maintained. State. controlled ruling instant read will unless contains "unmistakably language" showing Deciding text language conforming 8 When petitioner's reached --- ----, affirmed dismissal one-sentence curiam citing Freeman. granted certiorari, 498 111 950, 1038 (1991), reverse. II 9 Our analysis ultimate determination are informed central importance jurisprudence. Respondents ask overrule 28-year-old interpretation, enunciated Parden, enacted railroad," 1210-1211.1 Just two Terms ago, Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corp. Feeney, 495 299, 110 1868, 264 (1990), assumed applicability railroads finding defendant, bistate compact corporation, waived had. should reexamine construction. Because these circumstances, answer no. Time time again, recognized "the fundamental law." 494, 2957; Patterson McLean Credit Union, 164, 172, 2363, 2370, 132 (1989); Burnet Coronado Oil & Gas Co., 285 393, 406, 52 443, 447, 76 L.Ed. 815 (1932) (Brandeis, dissenting). Adherence precedent promotes stability, predictability, respect judicial authority. Vasquez Hillery, 474 254, 265-266, 106 617, 624-625, 88 598 (1986). For reasons, without compelling justification. Arizona Rumsey, 467 203, 212, 104 2305, 2310, 81 164 (1984). 10 policies favor far outweigh suggesting departure. "Considerations special force area here, unlike power implicated, remains free alter what done." Patterson, 172-173, 2370-2371. could corrected it, weight earlier holding. Stare added legislature, public sphere, citizens, private realm, acted previous decision, instance response. This 11 Workers' Compensation laws exclude their coverage, because provides adequate See, e.g., Colo.Rev.Stat. 8-41-201 (Supp. 1990); D.C.Code 36-301(9)(D) (1981); Ind.Code 22-3-7-9(d) (Supp.1991); La.Rev.Stat.Ann. 23:1037 (West 1985); Neb.Rev.Stat. 48-106(1) (1988). Counsel respondent conceded during oral argument precluded seeking alternative remedy like exclusion law. S.C.Code 42-1-350 (1976). statutes, meanwhile putting risk they protected cases California, 297 175, 56 421, 80 567 (1936) (Safety Appliance Act); California Taylor, 353 553, 77 1037, 1034 (1957) (Railway Labor Transportation Union Long Island R. 455 678, 102 1349, 71 547 (1982). These factors weigh adhering find precedents. III argues already 2948. accurate; were, controlling here. characterization inaccurate today, employed decision. Indeed, omission can best explained assumption, express concurring (and too FELA2) terms extends jurisdiction courts entertain constraints, plausible explanation absence discussion practical adverse effects portion pertained minimal. 13 treat presented indeed "Congress statute." Atascadero Hospital Scanlon, 473 234, 242, 3142, 3147, 87 171 (1985) (emphasis added). Congressional expressed statute; look history inquiry. Dellmuth Muth, 223, 230, 2397, 2400, 181 establish Amendment. developed after undercut reasoning Parden's overruled. But stated occasions, courts." 63-63, 2307, Maine Thiboutot, 448 1, 9, 7, 100 2502, 2507, 65 555 (1980); Nevada Hall, 440 410, 420-421, 99 1182, 1188-1189, 59 416 (1979). 14 becomes, then, argues, said, later supra. make solely function reading adopt prohibiting interpretation general absent intends light led partial govern 15 think misconstrues import entirety jurisprudence It relevant consideration. 66-67, 2309-2310; Hafer Melo, 358, 364, ---- (1991). primary focus was, been, 1983. 64, 68-70, 2310-2311; compare 229-230, 2400-2401. If adopted sort advocated respondent, unnecessary. different respect: involve application while former construction." 2308. conclusion evident discussions EEOC Wyoming, 460 226, 244, 18, 103 1054, 1064, 75 18 (1983), Gregory Ashcroft, 501 2395, 2406, 115 410 (1991) last Term. Both plain "a ambiguous," rather than law; implicated distinction draw supported particular fact resolve today. 6. 16 resolved one monetary requirement ought assistance drafting interpreting legislation. serves parallel separate inquiries liability: canons interpretation. cases, followed. resulting symmetry, State's immunity, be, both courts, much commend it. avoids federalism-related concerns arise National Government uses exclusive recovery statute. inconsequential argument. Symmetry aesthetics. predictability order. symmetry imperative override just themselves rest order decisis. 17 long-standing Howlett Rose, 496 2430, 2438, 332 IV reasons stated, judgment reversed, remanded further proceedings inconsistent opinion. 19 ordered. 20 BLACKMUN concurs 21 THOMAS 22 whom SCALIA joins, dissenting. 23 example truism hard bad understandable reluctance leave leads contort confuse articulated opinions. reason, I respectfully dissent. 24 invokes running headlong away my view, cleanly applying precedents, (1989), rehabilitating largely repudiated, 25 upset " 'usual balance between Government,' clear. 2308 (quoting (1985)). determined requiring precisely kind legislation requires statement, long-established principle normally own consent. 67, 2309. 26 Act's (FELA's) provisions seamen, amount Congress' sovereign 474-476, 2946-2947. expressly "to extent Railway, . abrogation overruled." 27 follow fortiori Welch. necessary required itself dictates rules laid down revive substantially discredited litigants lower reason defunct. 28 tries drive wedge characterizing rule, says, implicated. contrast, use somewhat discretionary, Constitution See ante, 205-207. involves apply, holds "nonconstitutional" trumped 29 untenable. mere canon Instead, derives itself. struck Constitution. Although spells out aspect power, federalism underlying pervades structure: gives Nation; retain locally. 227, (1989) ("[A]brogation upsets 'the States,' placing considerable strain '[t]he principles inform Amendment' ") 238, 3145, Pennhurst School Halderman, 465 89, 100, 900, 907, 79 67 (1984)). Recognizing basic truth about governmental structure Constitution, wary extending enactments areas traditionally governed directed statement. outside context, rule's dimensions. 2401, ("This nothing acknowledgement substantial powers readily interfere"); ("[I]f 'unmistakably statute' 3147); Bass, 404 336, 349, 92 515, 523, 488 (1971) (clear "rooted concepts American federalism"). Thus, position employ ignores source rule. instance, one, forbearance due national governments, cements federation assumes show lightly abridging sovereignty retained From standpoint, little sense liable Sovereign crucial attribute infringed cases. suggested dichotomy less consider remarkable anomaly create: avenue obtaining 31 guidance not. obscurity point goals stability assertedly analysis. says manifested acquiescence silence, citizens "acted decision." Ante, 202. Yet previously despite presence considerations. 32 four manifest consent allow silence face (1987). Do intervening likely silently consented remaining encroachment sanctioned? How long remain silent declare constructive interpretation? suggestion can, better divine change listening substitutes telepathy 33 deciding ignore requirements considers past looks employers. standpoint however, generally assume waive right challenge traditional authority acquiesced in, on, regulation. 473, 2945-2946 (constructive sufficient). "reliance" exception thus reinstates theory waiver repeatedly rejected. 2945-2946; 241, 246-247, 3149-3150; 306, 34 sum, newly threatens eliminate altogether, except abrogated difficult, impossible, know statutes 35 fears strict 203. fear founded. recently usual "traditionally regulated States." Gregory, 2400. suits; Wabash, S.L. P.R. Co. Illinois, 118 557, 577, 4, 13-14, 244 (1886); 687, 1355, damages; 36 FELA. Feeney's course, appropriate defendants. within contemplated category defendants, then suit, "create entity subjected liability." 2442-2443, 37 owned were however. 51. fact, never clarified count submit stake suits, tailored concern. (when tenure judges, generally). A suit." 231, 2402. 38 clearly wanted Railroad owners, say happen owners quite doubtful thought causes 1908 enacted. 496, 2958 (SCALIA, judgment). Since, enacting wishes provide proper defendant consents capacity owner. agrees owner instead sovereign, agreed off mantle therefore affirm 39 concern Railway's determine doctrine, obfuscating schemes fill void left quickly callously fate Certainly, seeing compensated 40 Instead avoiding implications decisions, adhere them. premised fairness, unfair parties parse Therefore, Section pertinent part, provides: "Every engaging commerce. shall person suffering injury commerce....." specific precise ("Any seaman suffer personal employment," 688) correctly Petty Tennessee-Missouri Bridge Comm'n, 359 275, 282-283, 785, 790-791, 804 (1959), afford WHITE's concurrence, 2957, focused question, stating disturbed understand purport so." parties, agree resolution purposes

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