Document: 461 U.S. 529 103 S.Ct. 1991 76 L.Ed.2d 120 PALLAS SHIPPING AGENCY, LTD., Petitionerv.Joseph DURIS. No. 82-502. Argued April 25, 1983. Decided May 23, Syllabus Under § 33(b) of the Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (Act), an injured longshoreman who accepts "compensation under award in a compensation order filed by deputy commissioner or [Benefits Review] Board" has six months which to file negligence action against third party, after time longshoreman's cause is irrevocably assigned his employer. Respondent was while working as aboard vessel that had been chartered petitioner's predecessor corporation. Respondent's employer (another company) did not contest right form (Form LS-206) with Labor Department indicating employer's agreement make payments respondent. Approximately 23 later, terminated payment benefits filing another LS-208) Department. subsequently suit Federal District Court recover for injuries, alleging they caused charterer's negligence. The dismissed claim lack jurisdiction. Appeals reversed, holding jurisdiction could properly be asserted over petitioner that, absence formal entered Secretary Labor, employee's acceptance lead assignment parties. Held: voluntary constitute "under order" so give rise claims parties 33(b). Pp. 532-539. (a) Act's comprehensive scheme governing rights longshoreman, term refers specifically administrative compensation. Here, no proceedings ever took place. Although respondent's employer, required Act, Forms LS-206 LS-208 relating compensation, nothing suggests forms equivalent "award order." 532-535. (b) history confirms "a does include document testifying Act. requirement designed protect from unexpected loss negligent party payments, permit him considered choice among available remedies. Cf. Bloomer v. Liberty Mutual Ins. Co., 445 74, 100 925, 63 215; American Stevedores, Inc. Porello, 330 446, 67 847, 91 L.Ed. 1011. 535-538. (c) prior frustrate aims ensuring prompt workers relieving claimants their employers undue expense burden litigating claims. regulations, desire seek indemnification may obtain upon request if there disagreement Moreover, even without statutory claims, can it made longshoreman. Thus, seeks bring shipowner, charterer, other person little gain contesting liability Pp.538-539 684 F.2d 352 (6th Cir., 1982), affirmed. Wm. D. Carle, III, Cleveland, Ohio, petitioner. Thomas W. Gallagher, Toledo, Justice MARSHALL delivered opinion Court. 1 This case presents question whether gives 2 * On 19, 1975, respondent Joseph Duris fell ladder M/V Regent Botan at Port Ohio. At accident, Erato Shipping, Duris' Toledo Overseas Terminal, Inc., (LHWCA). June 2, Form LS-206, entitled "Payment Without Award," Labor. indicated commence amount $149.14 every two weeks. Payments continued nearly years. 26, 1977, company LS-208, labelled "Compensation Payment Stopped Suspended." 3 February 1980, commenced this Northern Ohio injuries suffered result accident Botan. An amended complaint named Pallas Shipping Agency, Ltd., defendant. Petitioner successor alleged dry boat charterer maintaining he fell. failure establish personam 4 reversed. (CA6 1982). After concluding personal based on acts its corporation, court lapse triggered held cannot In reaching conclusion, declined follow decision Fourth Circuit Co. Ameta & 564 1097 (1977). We granted certiorari resolve inter-circuit conflict, --- ----, 371, 75 (1982), we now affirm. II 5 44 Stat. 1424, amended, 33 U.S.C. 901 et seq., provides If, generally true cases files liability, must pay disabled within weeks learning injury, 914; 20 CFR 702.231-702.232, appropriate form, 702.234. 6 When controverts contests actions taken respect claim, dispute resolved proceedings. 919. If informally procedures developed 702.301-702.319, contested will proceed hearing, culminates entry "reject[ing] mak[ing] claim." §§ 919(c), 919(e).1 making award, referred order," 919(e), reviewable Benefits Review Board, 921(b), enforceable federal court. 921(d). timely results substantial penalty. 914(f). 7 workers' constitutes exclusive recovery thereby relinquish any party. 933(a). however, sue months, all. employee fails period, See Rodriguez Compass 451 596, 101 1945, 68 472 (1981). Section full: 8 "Acceptance such Board shall operate all damages unless award." (part 2) 1440, 933(b). 9 contends Duris, along constituted resulted when failed next months. 10 disagree. triggers only accepted Board." (Emphasis added.) LHWCA following claim. 919(e).2 case, place, ordered commissioner. 11 correctly points out 914(c) "notify . begun suspended." But filings are distinguishable orders function, legal effect: issued commissioner; neither administratively nor judicially enforceable; pursuant embodied less penalty than comply terms order. 914(e), (f).3 Nothing these "an 12 intended language first incorporated into 1938.4 As described 79, 928, 215 (1980), "the [as originally enacted 1927] choose between receipt Mar. 4, 1927, 33, 1440. elected receive automatically 1938, Congress provided ., would damages. 1938 amendments, election paid award. ch. 685, 12, 13, 52 1168." 13 House Committee explained, 14 knowledge effect work grave injustice. might contingent commissioner, thus giving opportunity consider resultant ." H.R.Rep. 75th Cong., 3d Sess. (1938). 15 recognized 454-456, 851-852, 1011 (1947), clearly contemplate mere benefits, trigger immediate persons, adequately apprise 16 1959 eliminated harsh election-of-remedies requirement.5 allows accepting There indication, alter prerequisites action. To contrary, aim amending "to continue current judicial construction" retained portions provision. 105 Cong.Rec. 9226 (1959). noted above, see supra, 7, previously concluded occurred 17 continues equate conclusion proceedings, since enacted. 21-22, 1435-1437. Finally, limiting serve underlying congressional purposes though statute longer requires Service puts notice future irrevocable albeit immediately but later. Of equal importance, enhances well-considered allowing delay until established 18 It said encouraged instead payments. do find contention persuasive. Employers regulations makes 702.315(a) (1982). Marine Terminals Burnside 394 404, 89 1144, 22 385 (1969); Crescent Wharf Warehouse Barracuda Tanker Corp., 696 703 (CA9 1983). For reasons, LHWCA. 19 therefore conclude "[a]cceptance persons. Accordingly, judgment Affirmed. Even 19(c) issue uncontested argues, cf. Czaplicki Hoegh Silvercloud, 351 525, 528, n. 9, 946, 948 1387 (1956), disputed commencement instant lawsuit. 19(e) 919(e) provides: "The rejecting (referred chapter order) office copy thereof sent registered mail certified claimant last known address each." 14(f) 914(f), payable days becomes due, additional 20% unpaid stay pending review 14(e), days, 10% controverting nonpayment excused enacted, provided: "(a) account disability death determines some liable damages, elect, manner commission provide, person. "(b) Acceptance person, notified election." relevant part: person." 1168. explained 80, (1980): "In 1959, delete altogether. Aug. 18, 73 391. Existing law felt 'wor[k] hardship forcing take act because risks involved pursuing lawsuit party.' S.Rep. 428, 86th 1st Sess., 'usually elects simple reason expenses met immediately, years won lawsuit.' Ibid.; 229, (1959)."

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