Document: 336 U.S. 511 69 S.Ct. 707 93 L.Ed. 850 FARRELLv.UNITED STATES et al. No. 267. Argued Jan. 14, 1949. Decided April 4, Messrs. Myron Scott and Silas Blake Axtell, both of New York City, for petitioner . Mr. Newell A. Clapp, Washington, D.C., respondents. Justice JACKSON delivered the opinion Court. 1 Petitioner, a seaman, brought suit in admiralty to recover damages under Jones Act, 46 U.S.C.A. § 688, maintenance, cure wages maritime law. The issue negligence was decided against him by courts below claim is abandoned here. Petition certiorari review other issues granted. 335 869, 165. 2 I. Maintenance Cure. 3 facts which occasion maintenance this seaman are not dispute. claimant, 22 years age good health, member Merchant Marine. He service S.S. James E. Haviland, merchant vessel owned operated United States as cargo troopship. On February 5, 1944, she docked at Palermo, Sicily, Farrell granted shore leave required his return ship 6 p.m. same day. overstayed about eight o'clock began, rain darkness, make way ship. became lost misdirected wrong gate, he entered shore-front area mile from where lay moored. generally blacked out but petitioner's companion, forty or fifty feet away, saw fall over guard chain into drydock lighted sufficiently night work then progress. grievously injured. 4 treated without expense himself various government hospitals until June 30, when discharged Norfolk, Virginia, completely disabled. totally permanently blind suffers post-traumatic convulsions probably will become more freq ent possibility further cure. From time require some medical care ease attacks headaches epilepic convulsions. court concluded that duty shipowner furnish does extend beyond maximum possible has been effected. Petitioner contends entitled long disabled, case life. 5 Admittedly there no authority any statute American decisions proposition But an argument based upon ancient Cleirac, Jugmens d'Oleron, Arts. 7 notes Cleirac; Consolato del Mare, cc. 182, 137; Pard Coll.Mar. 152; authorities have paid considerable respect. See Story, Circuit Justice, Reed v. Canfield, 20 Fed.Cas. pages 426, 429, 11,641. A translation note relied reads: 'If defending fighting enemy corsairs, mariner maimed, disabled serve on board rest life, besides charge cure, shall be maintained lives cost cargo. Vide Hanseatic Law, Art. 35.' Article 35 Laws Hanse Towns referred 8 'Art. XXXV. seamen obliged defend their rovers, pain losing wages; if they wounded, healed cured general concerned common average. If anyone them maimed like average.' 9 We need elaborate meanings weight given these medieval pronouncements As show, were written pirates operatic characters real-life perils sea. When bore down ship, all unless would hazard life limb desperate defense. saved cargo, it something nature salvage sacrifice effort contribution principles average may justly due. Perhaps than humanitarian considerations, inducement stand generated doctrine saving her entitles lifelong struggle. 10 construe old-time law with what liberality we will, cannot made cover case. This beset snug berth harbor had capitulated allied forces six months before. No sea corsairs appeared menaced her. It true engaged warlike operations legitimate target aircraft naval vessels, war risk, place attack progress imminent. Even pass assume always potential danger defense, injury taken position salvation. Far helping man moment, unable find her; ashore able adequately take himself. However patriotic motive enlisting however ready risk country, can rational basis awarding lifetime theory wounded while enemies. 11 claimed, however, even award exist, period allowed below. largely statements Court Calmar Steamship Corp. Taylor, 303 525, 58 651, 654, 82 993. There question stated whether rovide falling ill incurable disease its employ, extends payment lump-sum sufficient defray remainder laid aside cases incapacity caused employment said, 'We saying that, proves incurable, fair after voyage effect such improvement seaman's condition reasonably expected result nursing, care, treatment. satisfy demands policy underlie imposition obligation. Beyond think duty, least illness service.' 12 claimed reserved disclaimed judgment 'by employment' service' recognized created separate class different measure distinction exists premised In Aguilar Standard Oil Co. Jersey, 318 724, 63 930, 932, 87 1107, pointed logically historically derives dependence individual deserts, arises disability, anyone's fault. refused look personal activity moment determine right award. Aside gross misconduct insubordination, doing why how sustains affect decisive claims indemnity negligence. must, course, 'in ship,' meant must answerable call rather actually performance routine tasks specific orders. 13 merit go inclusive relatively simple, understood administered technical considerations. few exceptions conditions stir contentions, cause delays, invite litigation. could forfeit only conduct, whose wrongful quality simple men calling recognize—insubordination, disobedience orders, misconduct. hand, Master knew maintain erring careless much parent child. For purpose introduce graduation rights duties relative proximity 'employment' 'service alter harmony spirit function open door litigiousness landman's remedy so often promise ear broken hope. 14 Nor clear us particular litigant gain introduction contention made. should concede larger due those employment, seem farfetched hold applicable Claimant disobedient orders purposes leave. His workmen carrying repairs therein own. These matters invoked reduce usual right, difficult see circumstances warrant enlargement it. ship's expense, less more, turn ascertainment bounds. 15 peculiar sense international law, application ecific rules depends acceptance States. problem sick injured every country and, 1936, General Conference International Labor Organization Genevasubmitted draft convention states. ratified Senate proclaimed President effective October 29, 1939. 54 Stat. 1693. paragraph thereof provides: 'The liable person cured, sickness declared permanent character.' 16 While enactment rule Congress controlling, amiss point limitation thus imposed accordance understanding familiar laws sympathetic problems. 17 Department issued summary Convention containing following subject: including lodging, disability permanent.' Robinson, Admiralty, p. 300. 18 Representatives organized advised traditional consideration substitution system workmen's compensation Longshoremen's Harbor Workers' Compensation 44 1424, amended, 33 U.S.C. §§ 901—950, seamen, heretofore noted, steadfastly opposed change. Hust Moore-McCormack Lines, 328 707, 715, 66 1218, 1222, 90 1534. legal representative one union Committee Marine House extended during '(a) receives treatment hospital, either inpatient out-patient; (b) convalescence, obtained.'1 Another representative, defining include hospitalization, 'In addition, outside hospital physical becomes fixed.'2 19 That end far possible, seems seen prior adoption Congress,3 despite occasional ambiguity language reservation situations before court. since Convention.4 recourse seaman. appropriate obtain unseaworthiness recover, trial jury, partial total disability. certain limited benefits. liability pension, neither give offset conception expectancy Indeed custom providing kind concurrently advantage removing benefits being wasted proverbial improvidence beneficiaries. Government contend future curative new proceeding amount expended receiving 21 help great plight most unfortunate. evidence afforded supplying finding negligence, afford distortion extraordinary measures relief impossible properly addressed courts. II. Wages. 23 two held completion port March 28, 1944. twelve December 16, 1943, date joined vessel. articles signed petitioner, printed form left vacant space subject footnote: 'Here described places named touch; done, probable length stated, terminate.' Haviland's articles, security reasons war, did describe terms provided, 'from Philadelphia, Atlantic Ocean eastward Philadelphia thence ports part world direct ordered directed department, commission agency * back final discharge States, term exceeding (twelve) calendar months.' questioned ships, coastwise trade, sign fixed period. contended last clause contract obligated months, irrespective termination voyage, therefore gave similar uncommon complied war-time requirements contracts.5 think, light industry times, nothing ambiguous terminated reimbark second voyage. twelve-month appears duration employment. error determining wages. 24 set forth, affirmed. 25 Affirmed. 26 DOUGLAS, whom BLACK, MURPHY RUTLEDGE concur, dissenting. 27 Wages.—The bound en route 'a Eastward little entire Enochasson Freeport Sulphur Co., F.2d 674, 675; Waterman Corp., Cir., 155 992, 996. I agree Judge Kirkpatrick principle likewise foreign voyages. Shields 73 F.Supp. 862 866. Any difference apparent. each binds obligation pay cotermious responsibility. supra. number voyages immaterial. extent demanded controlling. 28 Cure.—Calmar 993, involved cure1 manifested itself shipowner's ended reserving apply arose page 530, now presented, received returning plainly incurred service. 1107; Fed.Cas.No. Story view remained completed. 1832. Intervening lower qualified view. reasonable voyage.2 remained. test adopted through within reach science achieved. 29 discriminating. 30 though effected, entirely states 31 (1) longer aid nor means maintenance. present case, concerned. And situated has. 32 (2) One reaching also sustain needs concerned.3 situation payments continuing needed wounds allowed, Josephine & Mary, 120 459, 462, 464. Cf. Saunders Luckenbach 262 F. 845, 847. six-month allowed. Nevertheless Farrell's expenses continuing, district judge do believe past ex enses. To conclude ignore salutary supporting 34 doctrine. reflects concern state early poor improvident workers. Harden Gordon, Fed.Cas.No.6,047. recognizes imperative necessity nation peace marine. ships face ocean, who employ solicitous welfare. masters owners safety, welfare gives decree security, incurred. marine dignity equal important performs. 'the public preserving citizens commercial defence nation.' Id., Accordingly, injuries arising enterprise Their indeed business. nonetheless continues effected.4 Hearings Fisheries, 76th Cong., 1st Sess., H.R.6726 H.R.6881, 83. 131. See, example, Wensleydale, 41 829; Bouker 2, 241 831; Skolar Lehigh Valley R. 60 893; Point Fermin, 70 602. Lindgren Shephard 108 806; 459; Luksich Misetich, 140 812. F.R. 2477. includes food lodging; care. 831, 835. supra; Mars, 149 729; Eastern Dawn, 322; Troy, 121 901; Geistlinger Mercantile 295 176. District said: 'He continue spells fracture. healthy accident never showed signs epilepsy then. testimony shows blindness permanent, likelihood convulsive continue, possibly frequent, mentioned whenever persist.' Shipowners' Liability 1693, contrary result. cl. 1, contains power depart standard type 'Nothing award, agreement between shipowners ensures favourable provided Convention.'

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