Document: 342 U.S. 396 72 S.Ct. 421 96 L.Ed. 441 FIRST NAT. BANK OF CHICAGOv.UNITED AIR LINES, Inc. No. 349. Argued Jan. 8, 1952. Decided March 3, Rehearing Denied April 7, See 343 921, 675. Mr. Robert J. Burdett, Chicago, Ill., for petitioner. David Jacker, respondent. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 John Louis Nelson was killed when one respondent's airliners crashed in Utah. Claiming $200,000 under Utah wrongful death statute, petitioner brought this action a United States district court Illinois. Decedent prior to his resident and citizen Illinois; petitioner, executor, is an Illinois bank; respondent, Air Lines, Inc., Delaware corporation doing business Since jurisdictional amount diversity citizenship requirements have been met, case properly triable 28 U.S.C. § 1332, U.S.C.A. unless ch. 70, 2 Revised Statutes bars action. This law provides: 'no shall be or prosecuted State recover damages occurring outside where right such exists laws place occurred service process suit may had upon defendant place.' The District Court Appeals, relying on doctrine declared Erie R. Co. v. Tompkins, 304 64, 58 817, 82 1188, as discussed applied later cases,1 held that state statute binding federal well courts constituted bar maintenance action.2 In so doing, they rejected two constitutional contentions made by petitioner: (1) Congress having granted jurisdiction pursuant power Article III Constitution, cannot abridged destroyed statute; (2) violates Full Faith Credit Clause Constitution (Art. IV, 1) providing claims deaths not enforced defendants could We need discuss first contention Tompkins problems presented it, we recently Hughes Fetter, 341 609, 71 980, 95 1212, Wisconsin much like Illinois, did violate Clause. It consider full faith credit question with reference certiorari. 875, 168. 3 invalidated supra, barred any caused state. before us today exact duplicate single exception permitted another state's if about. That willing its try some out-of-state actions no reason refusal grant others. reasons supporting our invalidation Wisconsin's apply equal force true although agrees cases obtained While said Fetter it relevant might only which defendants, were careful point out fact crucial. Nor crucial here excludes can tried other states. hold again forbids exclusion. should dismissed case. 4 Reversed. 5 JACKSON, whom MINTON joins, concurring result. 6 I part company road will travel reach destination all agree stop, at least night. But sometimes path are beating more important future wayfarer than choose lodge. 7 There possible routes agreed destination. One requires prescribing limitations own unconstitutional—a century half precedent constrains avoid way available. This, together adherence views expressed dissent persuades me resolve issue Act confers jurisdiction. 8 Whether validly close her litigation kind, most assuredly prescribe subject matter even sit State. already has done this, 1332(a)(1), powerless enlarge, vary, limit requirement. parties showed controversy required Congress, therefore court, virtue being, their 9 suggestion progeny diminish sitting assimilating limitation impose seems confuse substantive law. followed, gone far requiring exercising same would courts. interpreting Rules Decision Act, 1652, reads follows: 'The several states, except treaties Acts otherwise require provide, regarded rules decision civil States, apply.' indeed fanciful suggest relating applicable 'rule decision' passing specifically 'otherwise provided.' 1332(a)(1). enters grace but States. 10 establishment is, however, beginning end trial court. What must adjudicating rights these parties? silent point, line reasoning imply look conflicts rule govern kind has, refused entertain supposed hard find. 11 my view, derives from does For regardless what say subject, believe, free refuse forum, but, undertook adjudicate parties, Utah, because elements wrong alleged essence certain transactions, wherever litigated, legal consequences occurred. Order Commercial Travelers Wolfe, 331 586, 67 1355, 91 1687; Hancock Mutual Life Ins. Yates, 299 178, 57 129, 81 106. 12 undoubtedly area freedom matters, unreached law, prevail Klaxon Stentor Electric Mfg. Co., 313 487, 61 1020, 85 1477. transaction associated compels forum litigated jurisdiction, instead determines apply? 13 Court's detour follows itinerary: bound wrong; remake provide opposite provided; then remade pretend applying too tortuous excursion me. provision liability tort adjudged and, being within statutory Court, ascertain without straining through sieve. 14 REED, dissenting. 15 ground extended compel claim effectively cause arose. 16 conclusion stated supra. 17 FRANKFURTER, 18 As based series culminating Woods Interstate Realty 337 535, 69 1235, 93 1524, disposes it. Clause, adhere 614, 983, 1212. E.g., Angel Bullington, 330 183, 657, 832; 1524. Cir., 190 F.2d 493. Appeals cited relied former holdings, Trust Chicago Pennsylvania 183 640, Munch 184 630.

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