Document: 330 U.S. 446 67 S.Ct. 847 91 L.Ed. 1011 AMERICAN STEVEDORES, Inc.,v.PORELLO et al. UNITED STATES v. LAURO. Nos. 69 and 514. Argued Dec. 11, 12, 1946. Decided March 10, 1947. As Amended June 23, Answer to Certified Question Conformed May 22, See 162 F.2d 32. [Syllabus from pages 446-448 intentionally omitted] Mr. Edward Ash, of New York City, for petitioner American stevedores. Jacob Rassner, respondents Rosario Porello Lauro. J. Frank Staley, Washington, D.C., respondent the United states. Justice REED delivered opinion Court. 1 Porello, a longshoreman, was injured in 1942 while working hold U.S.S. Thomas Stone, public vessel States. His employer, Stevedores, Inc. (called hereinafter), engaged loading under stevedoring contract with Within two weeks accident which caused injuries American's insurance carrier, compliance § 14 Longshoremen's Harbor Workers' Compensation Act,1 33 U.S.C. §§ 901—950, U.S.C.A. without compulsion an award compensation by deputy commissioner 19, began payments who negotiated checks he received. In 1943 gave notice accordance 33(a) election sue States as third party tortfeasor rather than receive compensation. same month filed libel, amended November, 1943, recover damages Public Vessels Act 1925,2 46 781 seq., his person sustained accident. Exceptions libel being overruled, answered, denying fault on its part claiming sovereign immunity suit. Later, petition charging setting forth indemnity provision contract, impleaded American.3 then answered asserting affirmative defense that, accepting payments, had lost right tortfeasor. 2 The District Court held that not barred maintaining action. At trial it appeared beam lying athwart hatch fallen into struck causing complained of. court negligent providing locking device end beam, through foreman, whose orders operator cargo boom be dislodged. awarded States, contribution joint extent half damage less received Porello. On cross appeals Circuit Appeals bound make completely whole. With modification affirmed decree below. Cir., 153 605. important issue this proceeding is whether makes liable account personal injuries. thought question decided Canadian Aviator case,4 but since squarely posed tha case we granted certiorari order determine at time. 328 827, 66 1013 3 provides 'libel personam admiralty may brought against * *.'5 Petitioner argues only remedy property. 'Damages,' however, have historically been both injury property person—a fact too well-known overlooked Congress enacting statute.6 Nor easy conceive any reason, absent intent contrary, inserted word 'property' statute, obvious method imposing limitation here contends. nonetheless legislative history statute conclusively shows congressional limit redress damage. 4 briefly detailed. Starting 1920 various bills were introduced provided liability Government suit vessels.7 We need consider, pending 68th present act passed: H.R. 6989, 9075 9535. first suits 'for collision vessel.' second, designed amendment Suits Admiralty Act, supported Maritime Law Association States,8 would so limited vessels operated merchant vessels, thus made unquestionably vessels.9 This bill never reached floor Congress. bill, 9535, enacted became Act. Although 'designed substitute 6989,'10 omitted words 'by collision' resulting collisions vessels. discussion significance inquiry related last these bills. It true, points out, proponent House, Underhill, said, when introduced: 'The I simply allows owners has dam ged or other agents.'11 Further, could where blame charged Government, answered: 'Not entirely; man's damaged, can bring suit.'12 These statements not, answers questions provide well property, nor does appear speaker time attentive such possible distinctions. also true Committee report said 'the chief purpose grant private merchandise action their goods damaged result Government-owned vessel.'13 However, letter Attorney General incorporated, which, addressed predecessor serves, absence contradiction report, indication Committee's intended effect act. That explicitly stated proposed intends give relief now given operation 9, 1920.' clear, inferred, least strongly opposite implied Underhill's remarks, understood persons suffering damage.14 Moreover, Senate there members body believed property.15 5 passage Federal Tort Claims Act16 attests growing feeling should put aside armor cases federal employees tortiously To future throw form maritime Act; excepts coverage 'Any claim 3, 1925 (The Act) (U.S.C., title 46, secs. 781-790, inclusive) *.'17 cannot believe read light evinces Congressional 6 determination dispose all issues raised case. When court, American, here, pleaded having accepted whatever admits 33(b) 1938 mere acceptance compensation, award, operate assignment employer employee's cause tortfeasor, conclusion courts former wording Act.18 But contends did no more, still operates conclusive sue. quite clear kind intention commissioner,19 argument technically imperfect. event, are sides coin. Surely after until neither employee If held, responsible over might lose chance recoup party, escape liability. unusual circumstances case, protected itself controverting compensation.20 way probably forced consequent itself. 7 unless controverts must begin within injury.21 receives soon force Yet upon period during elect sue, save general one year compensation.22 apparent unable earn, they sorely needed, compelling him up fit judgment election. For reasons think preclude thereafter electing 8 further below, jurisdiction therefore granting full beyond power. A maritime. Atlantic Transport Co. Imbrovek, 234 52, 62, 34 733, 58 1208, 51 L.R.A.,N.S., 1157; Muskegon, 275 F. 348. And although contracts partly non-maritime nature doubtful, raising doubts concerned performance activities. Richard Winslow, 71 426; Pillsbury Flour Mills Interlake S.S. Co., 40 439. sever arising out wholly activities needlessly multiply litigation. Such normal clause others more determines do conditions place payment. 9 Whether rightly construed below difficult question. that: 10 Stevedore performing service shcedule shall otherwise handling stowing same, ship including apparel equipment, wharves, docks, lighters, elevators, cars, carfloats used connection therewith, negligence Stevedore, employees, servants.' 11 indemnify if resulted alone. Respondent, interpretation render meaningless 'be fault' meaning long whole negligence. 12 insists merely existing law. record answer contention either party. stands ambiguous. Evidence taken parties, not.23 parties meant solely fully reimburse Finally, proportion bore total fault. usual rule admiralty, each pay moiety damages, Alabama, 92 695, 23 763; Atlas, 93 302, 863; Barbarino Stanhope 151 553, alternative, measure comparative negligence, necessarily parties. Conparative unknown our Max Morris, 137 1, 29, 586; Henry S. Grove, 22 444; see Robinson Admiralty, p. 91. From finding contract. left instance benefit evidence interprets apply facts would, course, free adjudge responsibility applicable rules 13 affirm reverse much awards remand Lauro, No. 514, certificate Second Circuit. quoted note.24 death wrongful will lie settled 'results tort committed navigable waters State statutes death' entertain t ose whom given. Western Fuel Garcia, 257 233, 42 89, 210. Just Chambers, 312 383, 388—391, 668, 61 687, 691—693, 85 903. Here occurred York, death. suffered distinguished Death supreme injury. conclude 'damages' 781, means 130—134 Decedent Estate Law. Accordingly follows: includes recoverable representative because human being. 15 Affirmed reversed part; answered. 16 FRANKFURTER, CHIEF JUSTICE concurs, dissenting. 17 Without disregarding heretofore attached history, Act1 scope 18 hardly maintained legal phrase 'damages vessel' cover due failure proper longshoreman. problem construction term applied money hurt What vessel'. Standing itself, phrase, spontaneously read, mean inflicted incurred operation. All Aviator, Ltd. 324 215, 65 639, 89 .l.Ed. 901, personnel purposes 'causing' another vessel. 19 stand They illuminated accurately summarized Government's brief avail ourselves it: 20 'On 1924, Underhill Cong., 1st Sess., change far concerned. time, already bills, 6989 9075, authorized likewise successor series session 1920. vessel,' approval interested departments. new measure, revise and, remove making exactly those powerful support Judge Hough, country's outstanding judge. unqualified departments, insisting changes. 21 omission predecessors subject criticisms, some cited protracted delays attempt rewrite meet objections thereto. Instead Committee, limiting covered purpose, nowhere discussed. explaining legislation, stated, however (66 Cong.Rec. 2087): agents.' Never course debates House expressly extended Many debates, petitioner's brief, seem indicate intended. accordingly submit decisive weight injury.' scores recent years 'decisive weight' history. done even enactment carried meaning. An impressive decisions enjoins us disregard war terms deny other. find conflict reading dogmatic inhospitality illuminations without. Court.2 44 Stat. 1424, 52 1164. 43 1112: '* impleading towage salvage services, salvage, rendered *.' Rule 56, Rules Practice Courts Jurisdiction, 28 following section 723. Ltd., 901. 1112, 781. noted distinction between damages. Black's Dictionary cautions 'damage,' 'loss, injury, deterioration,' 'to plural,—' damages,'—which loss damage.' 15977, 66th 3d Sess.; 6256, 67th Sess. Hearings before Judiciary Representatives, 21, 1924. 741, 742, 742: 'No owned shall, view herein personam, arrest seizure judicial process possessions *'. 'In privately operated, possessed, commencement for, corporation mentioned 741 title, be, employed tugboat corporation. *' Johnson Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corporation, 280 320, 50 118, 74 451; Brady Roosevelt 317 575, 63 425, 87 471. S.Rep.No. 941, 2d 2087. 2088. 1. Of chiefly urged bill—the owners. committee, stating, one. By token clearly discarded omitting supra, n. 4. note supra. So pertinent comments follow, 3560: 'Mr. Robinson. Senator Delaware state bill. seems considerable importance. Bayard. President, f om Arkansas right; great There continuous applications Houses consideration people accidents concerned, enable them district courts. nearly 200 Houses. aggrieved reason shortcomings go prosecute appearance collision, on, care deal saved Government. 'Incidentally, accomplish something country ago. opportunity justice offense individual. enacted, relieve many measures claims. claims nature.' 601, 79th 401—424, 921—946. Id., 421. formerly provided, 1440: 'Acceptance entitled person, notified election.' Under precluded suing Sciortino Dimon 39 210, 1019; Toomey Waterman 123 718; Nako Maru, 101 716; Freader Cities Service Trans. F.Supp. 456. Contra, Johnsen American-Hwaiian 98 847. provides, 1168: person.' 933(a), 933(a): 'If disability payable chapter elect, giving manner commission provide, 914(d) (h), 914(d, h). 914(b), (e), 914(b, e). 913(a), 913(a). moved allowing take proof respecting alternative remanding hearing clause. denied motion. 24 'Statement 27, Peter Lauro died 26, Marra Bros., contracting stevedores, board respondent's vessel, designated 596, docked Pier 4, Staten Island, York. fell vessel's main deck hold. accident, America, respondent, allocated Army. loaded consisted Army Navy Lend-Lease material shipped North Africa. deceased, hired load 'Thereafter, Lauro's widow Eastern America 1925; Section wrongfully awarding libelant sum $25,000. appeal came appeal, respondent-appellant contended only, 'Question certified 'Does 'damages,' appears sentence 781: 'A States: Provided, arose 6th day April, 1920' mean, well, Sections 130 134 Consol.Laws, c. 13, being? While question, aforesaid, hereby submitted Supreme Court.' 'That 'a reinforced Report S.Rep.No.941, Court's finds overriding commenting Bill, 'intends vessels' afford prefer General's expressed charge choice. antedated statement Representative Underhill. Compare Durkee Famous Foods, 306 68, 71, 59 456, 457, 458, 83 492, 'stated set quoted.' reject subsequent authoritative proponents legislation accept refer, discard favor dim remote what deemed controlling illumination.

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