Document: 391 U.S. 73 88 S.Ct. 1515 20 L.Ed.2d 441 Minnie Brade GLONA, Petitioner,v.AMERICAN GUARANTEE & LIABILITY INSURANCE COMPANY et al. Nos. 508 and 639. Supreme Court of the United States Argued March 27 28, 1968. Decided May 20, Rehearing Denied Oct. 14, See 89 66. For dissenting opinion see 1512. William F. Wessel, New Orleans, La., for petitioner; Leonard J. Fagot, Marvin C. Grodsky Benjamin E. Smith, on brief. David R. Normann, respondents; Frank S. Normann Margot Mazeau, DJ Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered Court. 1 This suit was brought in Federal District under head diversity jurisdiction to recover a wrongful death suffered an automobile accident Louisiana. The plaintiff, Texas domiciliary, mother victim, her illegitimate son. Had statute1 been applicable, it would, as construed, have authorized action.2 But summary judgment granted ground that Louisiana law3 had no right action Appeals affirmed, rejecting claim discrimination violated Equal Protection Clause Fourteenth Amendment. 379 F.2d 545. We petition writ certiorari, 389 969, 477, 19 460, order hear case along with Levy v. Louisiana, 68, 1509. 2 follows curious course its sanctions against illegitimacy. A common-law wife is allowed sue statute.4 When married woman gives birth child, he is, few exceptions, conclusively presumed be legitimate.5 makes distinction between legitimate children where incest concerned.6 may inherit from child whom she has acknowledged vice versa.7 If son horse killed by defendant then died himself, his would loss property.8 were industrial at place employment, eligible recovery Workmen's Compensation Act, if dependent his.9 Yet argued since legislature dealing 'sin,' can deal selectively not compelled adopt comprehensive or even consistent measures. McLaughlin State Florida, 184, 191, 85 283, 287, 13 222. In this sense present different case, mere innocent, although made 'nonperson' legislature, when came damages mother. 3 we possible rational basis (Morey Doud, 354 457, 465—466, 77 1344, 1349—1350, 1485) assuming natural cause illegitimacy will served. It indeed, farfetched assume women so they compensated their death. law which creates open season illegitimates area accidents windfall tortfeasors. hardly causal connection are told, historic reason creation disability. To saythat test equal protection should 'legal' rather than biological relationship avoid issue. necessarily limits authority draw such lines chooses. 4 Opening courts suits kind conceivably temptation some assert motherhood fraudulently. That problem, however, concerns burden proof. Where claimant plainly mother, denies laws withhold relief merely because wrongfully killed, born out wedlock. 5 Reversed. 6 HARLAN, BLACK STEWART join, dissenting. 7 These decisions only classed constitutional curiosities. 8 At common law, person legally cognizable interest another person, could personal tortious injuries body.1 By statute, created both rights favor certain classes persons. question these cases whether way defined persons who constitutionally permissible. reached negative answer process described brute force. 9 One important why everywhere await statutory delineation one life inherently intractable. Rather offers proof love affection economic dependence every might think bell tolled him, stayed hands pending legislative action. Legislatures, responding same diffuseness interests, generally proper plaintiffs highly arbitrary based family relationships, excluding issues concerning actual effect plaintiff.2 10 followed traditional pattern. There actions lie surviving spouse deceased, any; none, parents deceased's brothers sisters, lies. According scheme, grown man did love,3 relieves him great entitles large inheritance. employee loses job employer action, minor cared neighbors relatives 'as own son' does therefore death.4 Perhaps most dramatic, parent, example, deceased there child: matter loved depended whom, what situation any survivor be, elects sue.5 short, whole scheme similar respect other States, everything says about nurture altogether irrelevant. plaintiff falls within accorded another. 11 chosen, another, define terms legal relation deceased. wife, not, but paramour.6 adopted parents. An parent taken hours acknowledge formally, claims him.7 acknowledge, bother until possibility tort arose. 12 today, I am understand, rules must base definition class relationships. Exactly how marginally more 'rational' clear, neither nor acknowledgment indicative exist two frankly, preposterous suggest into 'nonpersons,' that, analogy done here deny benefits doing business corporate form.8 issue stem existence relationship, decided recognize unless formalities marriage, question, complied with. obvious justification decision. conceded, power provide people choose live together go through marriage and, default, bear them, logical enfore requirements declaring general upon relationships shall well biology those present. Moreover, many reasons empowered require first place, simplify particular proceeding reliance formal papers contest proof.9 death, determine heirs intestates, like, paternity maternity merits exceedingly odd proposition. 14 states complex difficult principle. Certain classifications 'inherently suspect,' take mean them differentiating requires very strong affirmative justification. difference formally these. Other impermissible intelligible consequences flow them. thinks better drawn unconstitutional. stitutional. improve Congress much broader consider understand bases strictly demand formalized. 15 affirm state court Fifth Circuit. Vernon's Ann.Tex.Rev.Civ.Stat. Art. 4675 (1952). indicated case. F.2d, 546, n. 2. Galveston, H. S.A.R. Co. Walker, 48 Tex.Civ.App. 52, 106 S.W. 705 (1907). applicable provision set 69, 1509, 1510, 441, 1. As noted, Article 2315 Civil Code, providing recovery, 'the father either * *.' statute 'legitimate' held decedent ascendant sibling Youchican P.R. Co., 147 La. 1080, 86 So. 551 (1920); Buie Hester, So.2d 733 (Ct.App.La.1962). also Green G.I.R. 141 120, 74 717 (1917); Jackson Lindlom, 84 101 (Ct.App.La.1955). Vaughan Dalton-Lard Lumber 119 61, 43 926 Chivers Couch Motor Lines, 159 544 (Ct.App.La.1964). La.Civ.Code Ann. 184 Lambert Lambert, 164 661 (Ct.App.La.1964); Harris Illinois Central 220 734 (C.A.5th Cir. 1955); cf. Lewis Powell, 178 769 (Ct.App.La.1965). La.Rev.Stat.Ann. § 14:78 Arts. 918, 922 2315, (1952 Supp.1967). §§ 23:1231, 23:1252, 23:1253 (1964); Thompson Vestal Mfg. 208 83, 119, 22 842, 854 (1945); Note, Tulane L.Rev. 145 (1945). Van Beeck Sabine Towing 300 342, 344—345, 57 452, 453—454, 81 L.Ed. 685, cited. English Lord Campbell's Vict., c. 93 (1846), 'has served model acts country.' Tiffany, Death Wrongful Act (2d ed., 1913). provided 'shall Benefit Wife, Husband, Parent, Child noteworthy Canadian words 'child' 'parent' exclude Dickinson North Eastern Hurl. Colt. 735, L.T.R.(N.S.) 299; Gibson Midland Ont. 658. recent survey American field comments '(i)f rule probably word 'children' used pertaining beneficiaries, refers children, thus legitimates application principle statutes patterned after use 'kin' kin, say 'father' 'mother,' 'children,' 'brothers' 'sisters,' father, sisters.' Speiser, Recovery 587 (1966). He even, like Shakespeare's Edmund, spent contriving treachery family. Supposing Bard views legitimacy, easily discerned Edmund's character utters defense thing cares for, himself. Numerous cases, reflecting difficulty attempting 'real' insisted strict conformity required stated extended interpretation analogous cases. E.g., Bradley Swift 167 249, 37 (1928). happens, occasion Louisiana's construction. Mobile Life Ins. Brame, 95 754, 24 580, holding insurance company, having paid insured, tortfeasor law. See, e.g., Burthlong Huber, La.App., 480; Doucet Travelers D.C., 91 F.Supp. 864. speaks tortfeasors going free. However, left parent. Under Court's opinion, perhaps henceforth cut off though self-supporting adult, elect sue. Incidentally, proving nonexistence Trahan Southern Pacific 209 334. time, lawfully married, support living adulterously someone else. Jones Massachusetts Bonding 55 88. 16 594, 596, aff'd, 842 (1944), stated: 'Children referred (the statute) include lawful wedlock who, being illegitimate, legitimated pursuant methods expressly established law.' 203 Code provides declaration, parents, executed presence notary public witnesses. corporations example suggested elementary form denied, willful, negligent, innocent alike, incorporation properly Even liability arises federal defining looked appropriate State. Seaboard Air Line Kenney, 240 489, 36 458, 60 762, arising Employers' Liability 35 Stat. 65, amended, 291, relied Carolina determination 'next kin' half siblings rahter father. De Sylva Ballentine, 351 570, 76 974, 100 1415, Copyright 61 652, 17 U.S.C. seq., reference California law; writing him; involved acknowledged, included term. Two Justices, concurring unanimous result, look term 'children.' Nowhere, Constitution. Bell Tug Shrike, 332 330, Fourth Circuit Virginia 'widow' entitled bring 41 1007, 46 688. Plaintiff 'married' 'husband' time already married. Although pre-existing later dissolved divorce, continued 'husband,' marriages. Consequently, 'widow.' suggestion involved.

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