Document: 356 U.S. 525 78 S.Ct. 893 2 L.Ed.2d 953 James Earl BYRD, Petitioner,v.BLUE RIDGE RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, Inc. No. 57. Reargued April 28, 29, 1958. Decided May 19, Rehearing Denied June 23, See 357 933, 1366. Mr. Henry Hammer, Columbia, S.C., for petitioner. Messrs. Wesley M. Walker and Ray R. Williams, Greenville, respondent. Justice BRENNAN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This case was brought in District Court Western South Carolina. Jurisdiction based on diversity citizenship. 28 U.S.C. § 1332, U.S.C.A. 1332. The petitioner, a resident North Carolina, sued respondent, Carolina corporation, damages injuries allegedly caused by respondent's negligence. He had judgment jury verdict. Appeals Fourth Circuit reversed directed entry 238 F.2d 346. We granted certiorari, 352 999, 77 557, 544, subsequently ordered reargument, 355 950, 530, 527. respondent is business selling electric power to subscribers rural sections petitioner employed as lineman construction crew contractor. contractor, H. Bouligny, Inc., held contract with amount $334,300 building some 24 miles new lines, reconversion higher capacities about 88 existing substations breaker station. injured while connecting lines one substations. 3 One affirmative defenses that under Workmen's Compensation Act,1 petitioner—because work contracted be done his employer kind also own maintenance crews—had status statutory employee therefore barred from suing at law because obliged accept compensation benefits exclusive remedy injuries.2 Two questions concerning this defense are before us: (1) whether erred directing without remand give an opportunity introduce further evidence; (2) state practice notwithstanding, entitled determination factual issues raised defense. I. 4 Supreme has there no particular formula which determine owner 72—111. In Smith v. Fulmer, 198 S.C. 91, 97, 15 S.E.2d 681, 683, State said: 5 'And Marchbanks (Marchbanks Duke Power Co., 190 336, 825, said 'leading case' statute) reminds us language statute plain unambiguous, so many different situations may arise easily applied can laid down all cases. other words, 'it often matter extreme difficulty decide given falls within designation statute. It each largely question degree fact." 6 manager testified direct examination three its were built crews. When pressed cross-examination, however, answers left testimony such doubt lead trial judge say, 'I understood he changed testimony, they not three.' But credibility manager's general evidence support presented issue, became irrelevant interpretation 72—111 judge. striking close evidence3 ruled only if crews somebody else, if, proofs showed, facilities use. 'My idea engaging do something else. What (the respondent) doing—and everything repairing substations, it themselves.' On view meaning statute, evidence, even accepting true, lacked proof essential element defense, thus nothing meet own. 7 disagreed Court's Relying decisions among others, Boseman Pacific Mills, 193 479, 8 878, immunity action established constructed which, like petitioner's employer, necessary distribution selling. ordinarily local Appeals, cf. Ragan Merchants Transfer & Warehouse 337 534, 69 1233, 1235, 93 L.Ed. 1520, readily here since neither party now disputes interpretation. However, instead ordering might offer pertinent according correct interpretation, made record court noted Rural Electric Cooperative Act Carolina4 authorized construct, acquire, maintain, operate generating plants, buildings, equipment, any kinds property or convenient accomplish purposes corporation organized, pointed out class empowered charter perform. 9 resolved uncertainties manner favorable respondent: 'The respect Blue Ridge, stated most favorably (petitioner), discloses originally Ridge facilities, but where after war, including six operating time accident, independent contractors, accident employ capable handling technical detail substation construction.' 346, 350. 10 found financed loan United States, purchased materials used work, entered into engineering service company design supervision concluding these findings 'the main actor whole enterprise itself.' Ibid. 11 Finally, direction favor. '* * (T)here supplying electricity communities, constructing product *.' Id., page 351. 12 While adverted court's opinion, implicit verdict holding although having occasion erroneous That implied denial, motion rehearing sought ground '(T)he enter defendant grant denies plaintiff right contradiction issue defendant's would have exercised Judge adversely him dismiss, deprives constitutional issue.' 13 believe erred. agree argument insufficient withstand strike our reinstating determined court. offered Although sufficient fact question, circumstances discussed infra, properly decided jury. clear vital because, should resolve did entire record—consistent cases fact—might reasonably reach opposite conclusion ultimate employer. 14 At events, plainly try Appeals' His dismiss viewed, analogous involuntary dismissal completed presentation evidence. Under Rule 41(b) Federal Rules Civil Procedure, U.S.C.A., defendant, waiving event granted, move upon facts shown relief.' argues, motion, counsel, effect, conceded submitting basis already case. asked counsel: 'In I overrule your you contemplate putting up reply?' Counsel answered: 'We haven't it, we making motion. frankly don't know point reply necessary. .' interruption prevented counsel's completion answer judge's comment: am inclined think far will hear (respondent's counsel) that. submit seems me been—I conflict that's concerned, far.' turned counsel followed long colloquy him,5 dismissed sustained involved doing others Upon cannot submitted offer. fully justified circumstance coming forward stage proceedings, penalized denial day Cf. Fountain Filson, 336 754, 971; Weade Dichmann, Wright Pugh, 801, 1326, 1704; Globe Liquor Co. Sam Roman, 332 571, 68 246, 92 177; Cone West Virginia Pulp Paper 330 212, 67 752, 91 849. II. A argues decision Adams DavisonPaxon 230 532, 96 566,6 negligence against store contractor who operated store's millinery department. denied owner's plaintiff's action. returned plaintiff. reversed, rested decisions, listed footnote 8, involving judicial review Industrial Commission 16 'Thus conflicts contractor) performing part 'trade, occupation' department store-appellant and, therefore, employee's) exclusively Law.' 543, 572. 17 state-court governs present 'divests normal function' disputed contend federal bound Erie Tompkins, 304 64, 58 817, 82 1188, follow secure uniform enforcement created State.7 18 First. Tompkins courts must definition state-created rights obligations courts. must, first examine rule Davison-Paxon way application required. Cities Service Oil Dunlap, 308 208, 60 201, 84 196. 19 administered Commission. hold that, actions 72—111, claim workman Commission's jurisdiction court, makes relating jurisdiction.8 states reasons why, decides cause defenses, displaced cited those concerned solely defining scope method may, course, distribute functions machinery sees fit. relied upon, furnish reason selecting rather than single They simply reflect policy, Crowell Benson, 285 22, 52 285, 76 598, administrative 'jurisdictional facts' final subject review. inescapable grounded practical consideration theretofore come become accustomed deciding aid juries. find suggest announced integral special relationship Thus requirement appears merely form mode enforcing immunity, Guaranty Trust New York York, 326 99, 108, 65 1464, 1469, 89 2079, intended parties. situation Dice Akron, C. Y.R. 342 359, 72 312, 398, substantial Employers' Liability Act, 45 51 et seq. Ohio could apply, fraudulent release 20 Second. following evinced broader policy effect conform near be—in absence considerations—to rules bear substantially litigation another failed apply rule.9 E.g., supra; Bernhardt Polygraphic 350 198, 273, 100 199. Concededly nature tribunal tries important parcel significantly achievement right. well instant personal-injury outcome affected Therefore, 'outcome' consideration, strong appear saying practice. 21 countervailing considerations here. system administering justice litigants invoke jurisdiction. An characteristic civil common-law actions, distributes between influence—if command10—of Seventh Amendment, assigns Jacob City 315 62 854, 86 1166.11 obligations, see, e.g., supra, every exact compliance rule12—not obligations—which disrupts allocating Herron Southern 283 383, 75 857. inquiry favoring yield interest furthering objective 22 rule. gainsaid allowing disrupt judge-jury Arizona grounds when appeared guilty contributory refused provision Constitution sole arbiter negligence.13 judge, 'state laws alter character function court' 'is sense matter, statutes interfere appropriate performance binding either Conformity 'Rules Decision' Act.' 94, 384. Perhaps more clearly light influence assigned factor process provides.' 95, Swift Tyson, Pet. 1, 865, governing allowed sitting disregard decisional law, never thought constitutions similarly disregarded. Green Neal's Lessee, 291, 402. Yet provisions court.14 23 Third. problem assumption certainty result follow, possibility case, supra. There factors reduce possibility. powers judges States comment weight witnesses, discretion likelihood require uniformity outcome.15 consider appeal taken disposed accordingly questions, instructions unnecessary shall direct. 25 Reversed remanded. 26 WHITTAKER concurring dissenting part. 27 1936 Legislature passed known S.C.Code, 1952, Tit. 72. new, complete, detailed plan 'employer' 'employee'1 bodily latter 'by arising course employment,' fault 72—14. prescribes measure remedy,2 'shall exclude remedies common otherwise, account injury' (§ 72—121), vests over claims falling purview 72—66), State's 'errors law.' 72—356. Section expands terms 'employee' (note 1) providing, substance, "owner" premises 'undertakes perform execute trade, occupation contracts person (called 'subcontractor') execution subcontractor undertaken owner, liable pay Title been immediately him.' (Emphasis supplied.) Employees subcontractors commonly called 'statutory employees' 'owner.' 29 Petitioner, 'subcontractor' build transmission convert single-phase double-phase 87 construct two station 'owner,' severely arose employment. Subsequent injury received full provided Law. 30 Diversity existing, then suit here, injury, alleged, resulted 'owner's' respondent-'owner' answered setting up, employment, lineman, executing 'which (was) owner's) occupation.' urged, consequence, employee' Law, vested hence, suit. 31 adduced chief. Thereupon tending show charter, issued (S.C.Code, 12—1025), plants distributing electricity; (before Second World War) employees substation;3 (3) regularly men—8 linemen groundmen two-thirds whose spent extensions, 'a (its) (and) stood undisputed 32 moved jurisdictional it. Respondent wished set forth substance FRANKFURTER'S occurred. struck supporting record. declared phrase related being performed 'owner' 'for else.' Thereafter, district heard arguments overruled verdict,4 33 appeal, supportable controlling decisions. disclosed 'was product,' (238 351), (respondent's) occupation,' employee, claim. basis, directions 34 vacates remands reached prior directions, 35 join much opinion. because—although, ample, prima facie, sustain defense—petitioner waived adduce rebuttal words 'rested,' erroneously circumstances, insofar deprive legal right, waived, desires facie procedural legally resting, moves, favor sustains, error. fairly contended, appellate rested, 50, Fed.Rules Civ.Proc. urged stated, my analysis convinces fact, so. For stand. 36 proceeds discuss whether, Court, becomes necessary, jury—a mind, premature, us, need decide. premising 'upon immunity5 jury,' holds jury—not reasons. 37 As earlier shown, Law creates bundle respecting regardless fault, claims, Consonant 72—66, Commission, 72—356, allows law,' uniformly present, presents 1957, 566, last plaintiff, concessionaire store, injured, she claimed negligence, using stairway store. She defended ground, operation department, though concessionaire, her along saying: 38 'It consistently includes finding relate Knight Shepherd, 191 452, 906; Tedars Savannah River Veneer 202 363, 235, 147 A.L.R. 914; McDowell Stilley Plywood 210 173, 41 872; Miles 212 424, 48 26; Watson Wanamaker Wells, 506, 447; Gordon Hollywood-Beaufort Package Corp., 213 438, (439), 49 718; Holland Georgia Hardwood Lbr. 214 195, 744; Younginer J. A. Jones Const. 215 135, 54 545; Horton Baruch, 217 48, 59 545. 39 Emporium concessionaire) 571. 40 settled highest construing jurisdiction, this, substantive sits. 1188. same 'in block away.' 109, 1470, 2079. (78 900): 'Concededly jury.' And premise, conclusion, contrary 'Here (as supra) dealing recover derived States. When, happens non-resident, enforceable forms times, naturally enough, vary systems identic. adjudicating citizenship parties purpose, State, afford recovery unavailable nor affect State.' pages 108—109, 1469. 42 'substantive' 'procedural' mere conceptual labels talismanic. To call does otherwise purely authoritarian performance. denominated nevertheless materially trial, courts, rights, free 'procedural,' allow, nomenclature, allowable both are, 'sitting side side.' Klaxon Stentor Mfg. 313 487, 496, 61 1020, 1021, 85 1477. enforces procedure acquired Government identical Yet, spite difference procedure, is, 'only 'substantially 1470.' 203, 276, 'Where qualifies abridges right), Otherwise other, principle transgressed.' 533, 1234, 1520. immaterial (state-created rights) characterized opinions use unrelated specific us. endeavor formulate scientific terminology. expressed touches vitally proper essence, intent insure exercising parties, same, litigation, tried nub underlies transaction non-resident litigant away result. so, abstractions regarding 'substance' 'procedure', 1470. 43 Inasmuch construed requires courts—not juries—to inasmuch concedes 'that follows judge—not Insofar jury, departs past respectfully dissent II 44 FRANKFURTER, whom HARLAN joins, dissenting. citizenship, cooperative, organized S.C.Code 12—1001 seq., engaged members, extending availability users, areas State. Incident expansion services, whereby 24.19 rehabilitate capacity 87.69 contract, citizen seriously burned attempted make connection equipment outside line through mistake Bouligny's employees, current running. Petitioner filed Bouligny pursuant 72—1 operated, recovered 46 true employer's (Bouligny's) employer' 111 Law.1 virtue election proceed proceeding (§§ 72—121, 72—123).2 After in, activity firm's unless $126,786.80. 47 unsupportable decisions.3 elicited trial. sixteen-man 'outside crew,' extensions; War demand electrical great contractors work. All actually firm contract. Testimony altogether consistent; petitioner—and considered it—that none employing personal organized; moreover, discharge duty serve area operated. 'main actor' project: secured financing; consulting engineer prepared plans (approved supervised construction; constructed; responsibility de-energizing re-energizing From satisfied 'there concluded sustained, essentially nonjury controverted supported rest usual accorded reading Appeals. Estate Spiegel Commissioner, 335 701, 708, 301, 304, 330. depend behalf; determinative. Both approach conclusions entirely consistent declarations State.4 giving liberal Yeomans Anheuser-Busch, 65, 72, 833, 835, 136 894, 50 basic purpose inclusion employers their exclusion; add doubts exclusion.' short-sighted overlook exclusion consequence denying vis-a -vis situated. experienced Soper, recognized illiberality yielding temptation stand violence legislatively Berry Atlantic Greyhound Lines, Cir., 114 255, 257: be, possibly sometimes larger Act. This, though, balanced advantages action.' 53 ensued: Court: reply? You course. point, mean. 55 'Mr. Hammer (petitioner's counsel): case— 56 intend put wish law. prerogative in. Of can't reply. 57 Hammer: moving voluntary dismissal. defense? Yes, sir, game.' ruling, granting indicated intention verdict, said, allow include Motion Directed Verdict stricken, desire. *' Respondent's overruled. apparent introducing to—and did—submit basis. Clearly misled by, willingness If cast relevant bring withhold until abuse surely countenance, however philanthropic Nor 'game' mind. gave slightest indication additional how issue. equally issue—on construction—in rely appeal. read proceedings. Chief Parker esteemed circuit judiciary, interpreted knowledge ways lawyers. necessarily concluded, critical record, chose stood. baseless. Even susceptible interpretations, Courts especially appeals cases, substitute theirs. 63 order amply theory satisfactorily accordance hand, crucial controversy, agreed evidence—not, rate, inconsistency existed According required Accordingly, affirm judgment. 64 HARLAN, desire why affirmed. needed transmit furnishing power, itself let Since dispute furtherance business, perceive change event, very least showing expects disturb below. provides: workmen subcontractor. 'When person, section 72—113 72—114 referred 'owner', undertakes (in 72—116 72—121. Employee's accepted Title, respectively, death representative, parents, dependents next kin loss death.' 72—123. Only available. 'Either acceptance award procurement collection bar alternate remedy.' proceedings nonprofit immune tort liability D.C., 118 F.Supp. 868. remanded 542. permitted motions non obstante veredicto. 12—1025. remarks thereafter reiterated statement came several months 196; American Tel. 311 223, 179, 139; 1477; 2079; Angel Bullington, 183, 657, 832; 1520; Woods Interstate Realty 535, 1524; Cohen Beneficial Loan 541, 1221, 1528; 199; Sampson Channell, 110 128 394. Wannamaker Lumber Construction Morgan, Choice Governing Proof,58 Harv.L.Rev. 153; Beale, Conflict Laws, 594.1; Restatement pp. 699—701. Our of—and intimate upon—the protected Amendment embraces asserted, varying views problems Gorham Mutual Benefit Health Accident Ass'n, 1940, 97; Diederich News 1942, 144; McSweeney Prudential Ins. 660; Ettelson Metropolitan Life 1943, 137 62; Order Commercial Travelers America Duncan, 1955, 221 703. Cooper Brown, 126 874; Gutierrez Public Transportation 1948, 168 678; Glasgow, 1953, 208 908; Pierce Consulting Engineering Burlington, 607; Rowe Pennsylvania 1956, 231 922. Sibbach Wilson 312 655, 422, Procedure prevail risk shall, whatsoever, 5, Art. 18, A.R.S. 144, almost Oklahoma Constitution, art. 6, O.S.1951 Stoner 464, 284, contrary. raise established. nullifying control submission Herron. affects judge: displaces regard sufficiency immunity. conventionally defined §§ 72—11 72—12. c. 4, 72—151 72—165. see '(1)' collaterally material, '(2)' wholly immaterial, what lawfully pursue, pursued past. Rather, depends injury—i.e., speaks tense, limited time. 'allow' just stricken. mind significance, points urge Here, places treats 'immunity' liability. me, tribunals—the jurisdiction—has action, relief '§ death. supports example, ever conclusive criterion. rejected contention Hopkins Darlington 307, 4; Kennerly Ocmulgee 206 481, 792. accomplishment specialized skill 825.

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