Document: 348 U.S. 110 75 S.Ct. 141 99 L.Ed. 139 UNITED STATES of America, Petitioner,v.Peter BROWN. No. 38. Argued Nov. 15, 1954. Decided Dec. 6, Mr.Samuel D. Slade, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Mr. Lee S. Kreindler, New York City, respondent. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion Court. 1 This is a suit under Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b), U.S.C.A. brought by respondent, discharged veteran, damages negligence in treatment his left knee Veterans Administration Hospital. The injury to occurred while respondent was on active duty Armed Services. led honorable discharge 1944. In 1950, performed an operation knee; but continued dislocate frequently. So another 1951. It during latter that allegedly defective tourniquet used, as result which nerves respondent's leg were seriously and permanently injured. 2 Independent Offices Appropriation 1935, 48 Stat. 526, 38 501a, allows compensation both where veteran suffers hospitalization existing aggravated treatment. Each considered though it 'service connected'. Respondent received award when he honorably discharged; increased after 1951 operation. 3 District Court agreed with contention petitioner sole relief Act dismissed complaint Act. Appeals reversed. Cir., 209 F.2d 463. case here petition certiorari we granted 347 951, 74 680 because doubts whether Brooks v. United States, 337 49, 69 918, 93 1200, or Feres 340 135, 71 153, 95 152, controlled this case. 4 held servicemen covered not incident caused their military service. 52, 920. case, leave negligently injured public highway government employee driving truck States. fact sought paid Act* bar recovery We refused 'pronounce doctrine election remedies, Congress has done so.' Id., at 53, 5 decision involved three cases, each injury, serviceman furlough; alleged part other members Forces. did disapprove merely distinguished it, holding does cover 'injuries injuries arise out are course activity service.' 146, 159. peculiar special relationship soldier superiors, effects maintenance such suits discipline, extreme results might obtain if allowed negligent orders given acts committed duty, read excluding claims character. 141—143, 156—157. 6 present is, our view, governed Brooks, Feres. incurred subject discipline. discharge, enjoyed civilian status. resulted from applied veterans' hospital. there, course, had been service And causal relation sufficient bring claim But, unlike one foreign broad pattern liability States undertook 7 That provides that, 'The shall be liable * same manner extent private individual like circumstances *.' 2674, 2674. emphasized how sharp would break tradition there asserted against noting effect 'to waive immunity recognized causes action', 'not visit Government novel unprecedented liabilities.' 142, 157. But cannot said here. Certainly cognizable local law, defendant party. Responsibility hospitals patients may notorious owners automobiles. without support. See, example, Sheehan North Country Community Hosp., 273 N.Y. 163, N.E.2d 28, 109 A.L.R. 1197, cases collected 25 A.L.R.2d 29. 8 could, make system exclusive remedy. Johansen 343 427, 72 849, 96 1051, so Employees' Compensation 751 et seq., could sue Public Vessels 46 781 seq. noted 920, usual workmen's statute respect different those governing veterans, no indication made right veteran's remedy, receipt disability payments remedies preclude only reduced amount any judgment adhere result. also line drawn between duty. Since act giving rise service, governs must affirmed. 9 Affirmed. 10 BLACK, whom REED MINTON join, dissenting. 11 actions death due army truck. pointed accident nothing do 'army careers' soldiers neither nor When two off riding along state own car business bore kind past, future connection army. Thus, have they never worn uniform all. however, inseparably related should controlling. veterans hospital eligible admitted solely war gave him Moreover, actually being treated injury. 12 For entitled precisely benefits inflicted soldier.* previously held, I think correctly, 152. now holds can. To permit recover seems unjustifiable discrimination require. indicated amounts 53—54, 920—921. See remand, 176 482, 484. 'Where aggravation hospitalization, medical surgical awarded disability, aggravation, connected 501a.

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