Document: 340 U.S. 523 71 S.Ct. 432 95 L.Ed. 503 WARRENv.UNITED STATES. THE ANNA HOWARD SHAW et al. No. 87. Argued Jan. 2, 1951. Decided Feb. 26, Messrs. Saul Sperling and Charles A. Ellis, New York City for petitioner. Mr. Leavenworth Colby, Washington, D.C., respondents. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Petitioner seeks in this suit maintenance cure from United States, as owner S. Anna Howard Shaw. was a messman who went ashore on leave while vessel at Naples 1944. He two other members crew first did some sightseeing. Then three them drank one bottle wine to dance hall, where they stayed an hour half, dancing. There room adjoining hall that overlooked ocean. French doors opened onto unprotected ledge which extended out building few feet. stepped within 6 inches edge leaned over take look. As he so, took hold iron rod seemed be attached building. The came off petitioner lost his balance fell, breaking leg. 2 District Court awarded maintenance.1 75 F.Supp. 210, 76 735. Appeals disallowed it. Cir., 179 F.2d 919. case is here certiorari. 3 Shipowners' Liability Convention, proclaimed by President Sept. 29, 1939, 54 Stat. 1693, provides Art. 2: 4 '1. shipowner shall liable respect of— 5 '(a) sickness injury occurring between date specified articles agreement reporting duty termination engagement; '(b) death resulting such or injury. 7 '2. Provided national laws regulations may make exceptions of: 8 incurred otherwise than service ship; 9 due wilful act, default misbehaviour sick, injured deceased person; 10 '(c) infirmity intentionally concealed when engagement entered into.' 11 Petitioner's argument twofold. maintains under paragraph shipowner's provide absolute are not operative until statute enacted puts force. argues second place that, even if without Act Congress, conduct 'wilful misbehaviour' meaning paragraph. An amicus curiae received 'in ship' Paragraph 2(a) 2. 12 support petitioner's point concurring Chief Stone Waterman Steamship Corp. v. Jones, 318 724, 738,2 63 930, 937, 87 1107. But we think preferred view opposed. Our conclusion permitted virtue general maritime law no Congress necessary give 13 language its ordinary range meaning, easily permits construction. It 'national regulations' exceptions. term our jurisprudence usually includes rules court decisions well legislative acts. That held Erie R. C. Tompkins, 304 64, 58 817, 819, 82 1188, true phrase 'The several states' used Judiciary Act. 73, § 34. No reason apparent why more restricted should given regulations'. purpose Convention would served narrow meaning. This product International Labor Organization.3 Its international system regulation liability. aimed providing reasonable average could applied any country.4 We find suggestion it designed adopt strict standard liability provides. aim indeed change materially American standards but equalize operating costs raising member nations level.5 If shipping industry unless each nation act reduced it, can hardly believe plain indication have been made. Much body had developed through centuries judicial decisions. To reject start anew with complete code novel drastic step. Under construction application. definition itself helps average, leaving creation source recognize. serves conforms normal words used. both state decisional define particularity. 14 degree fault bar recovery cure. thought otherwise. question whether 'due 2(b) Convention. prescribed negligence misbehavior. In has long seaman will forfeit right cure, must 'some positively vicious conduct—such gross willful disobedience orders.' Chandos, Sawy, 544, 549—550; Carlisle, 39 F. 807, 813, L.R.A. 52; Ben Flint, Fed.Cas.No.1,299, Biss. 562, 566. And see Reed Canfield, Fed.Cas.No.11,641, Summ. 195, 206. Aguilar Standard Oil Co., 731, 934, 1107, stated rule follows: 'Conceptions contributory negligence, fellow-servant doctrine, assumption risk defense against Only misbehavior deliberate indiscretion suffices deprive protection.' 15 exception cases made injuries intoxication, supra, page notes 12, case. Judge ruled, amount consumed finding intoxication. plainly negligent. Yet strain element wilfulness equivalent. sought use care looked down small balcony, evidenced seizure handhold. His measure up circumstances. agree 16 Finally suggested occur ship,' extends departing returning shore though time perform ship. contended doctrine during diversions after reached shore. Rutledge, speaking case, reasons extending follows, pages 733—734, 935: 17 'To relieve obligation cast upon hazards encountered only voyage. sound uses purposes 'exclusively personal' relation vessel's business. Men cannot live cooped aboard ship substantial impairment their efficiency, also serious danger discipline. Relaxation beyond confines work go on, so move smoothly. master sea grant leave, taken never obtain * short, elemental necessity sailing ships, part business old art, merely personal diversion. 18 voyage creates need relaxation ashore, satisfied distant unfamiliar ports. those surroundings seaman, disqualifying misconduct, contracts disease incurs injury, because voyage, separated him usual places association. By adding separation restrictions living working aboard, forges dual unique compulsions seeking relief wherever found. sum, ship's subjects risks attending hours strange surroundings. Accordingly extend same protections gives employment.' 19 reasoning applicable period reaching restrict along lines whittle 'by restrictive artificial distinctions' attempted repeat what said there, 'If leeway either direction, all considerations brought into being dictate sailor's behalf.' 735, 936. 20 Reversed. 21 JACKSON CLARK dissent ground were sustained going premises docked, prupose duty. route access choice essential service. refreshment varieties entertainment own. Unless employment policy accident insurance might wise depend legislation. 22 FRANKFURTER, dissenting. 23 involved 1693. I does afford basis libellant's claim. Assuming Article self-executing, matter do now decide, law. am unable reverse application proper facts. 24 gave description happened: 25 'Libellant 'Anna Shaw.' On October 30, 1944, Bay Naples, Italy, libellant left leave. company carpenter another messman, They waterfront town Bagnoli (referred Magnolia). group stopped various stores bought divided among them. About miles landed motor lifeboat, half so. Libellant says dancing most time, additional glass wine. 26 'After approached large window over-looking sea, sight waves rocks thirty-five feet below intrigued him. level floor observed sort wholly railing slightest misstep unsteadiness almost sure precipitate libellant. event, perilous undertaking balcony lean get better immediately below. did. When position toes shoes six edge, over, taking about one-half inch circumference, apparently affixed right. casual glance makes claim done more. like 'lightning arrester something type.' Whether fastenings weakened bombs shell fire, marked buildings vicinity extent, appear. Nor testimony disclose served. grasped fell. A similar windows broke fall far broken consequences cure.' 213. 27 concluded acted reckless disregard safety'. 216. Second Circuit unanimously reversed. 'In bar, cliff, obvious; requisite correspondingly higher. face evident danger, Warren very slight—a mere ba man acts circumstances show minimal regard act. insurer safety, recover her.' 919, 922. 28 judgment 'deliberate indiscretion', disturbed. sued States South African Line, Inc. agent operator. dismissed libel Hust Moore-McCormack Lines, 328 707, 66 1218, 90 1534. During pendency appeal cross-appeal petitioner, Fink Shepard S.S. 337 810, 69 1330, 93 1709, decided. decree reversed considered merits States. relied report Secretary State legislation implementing part: 'Many provisions convention there appear verbatim effective. Some convention, however, stating rule, thereto. Government excepted certain obligations alterations present practice, affirmatively statute.' H.R.Rep. 1328, 76th Cong., 1st Sess., p. 6. following say 'Section follows article sets forth covered entire convention. incorporated bill belief (1) self-executing establishes liability, although definite provided; (2) courts conflict country.' Id., passed House, 84 Cong.Rec. 10540, Senate. See Hearings, Subcommittee Committee Commerce, Senate, H.R. 6881, 3d Sess.; S.Doc. 113, 77th 7434. Fried, Relations Between Nations Organization, 41 Am.Pol.Sci.Rev. 963; Dillon, Conventions; (1942); Shotwell, Origins Organization (1934). became August 20, 1934. Treaties, Treaty Series, 874. Conference, Proceedings, Thirteenth Sess. (1929) 131. recommending ratification emphasized treaty legal raise thus costs. Sen.Exec.Rep. 8, 75th 3.

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