Document: 346 U.S. 406 74 S.Ct. 202 98 L.Ed. 143 POPE & TALBOT, Inc.,v.HAWN et al. No. 13. Argued Oct. 12, 1953. Decided Dec. 7, Mr. Mark D. Alspach, Philadelphia, Pa., for petitioner. Charles Lakatos, respondent Hawn. Thomas F. Mount, Haenn Ship Ceiling Refitting Corp. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The Hawn sustained severe physical injuries when he slipped and fell through an uncovered hatch hole on petitioner Pope Talbot's vessel. ship was then berthed at a pier located in Pennsylvania waters Delaware River. Loading vessel with grain voyage had been temporarily interrupted to make minor repairs loading equipment. doing carpentry work this equipment it spread evenly thereby balance ship's load coming safer. He not employee but Company which hired these repairs. brought civil action United States District Court recover damages his injuries. His complaint charged that resulted from vessel's unseaworthiness negligence. In answering, Talbot denied both charges set up contributory negligence as defense each. addition, Hawn's employer third party defendant, alleging Haenna's caused injury claiming recovery over against by way contribution or indemnity. A jury found unseaworthy, negligent, negligent own contributed 17 1/2% damages. On basis, court entered judgment $29,700, less than $36,000 fixed also entered. 99 F.Supp. 226, 100 338. Appeals afirmed Talbot. It reversed Haenn. 198 F.2d 800. This granted certiorari. 2 basis our holding Halcyon Lines v. Corp., 342 282, 72 277, 96 318. case we held could be exacted under circumstances like those here involved. For reason affirm reversal Court's proceed consideration several questions presented grounds attack judgment. 3 First. Petitioner urges finding should have accepted complete bar recovery. contention appears rest two separate bases: (a) Admiralty has developed any definite rule effect negligence, therefore common-law bars govern admiralty, (b) law controls state's injured person is insuperable 4 harsh common wholly barred completely incompatible modern admiralty policy practice. Exercising its traditional discretion, now follows fairer more flexible allows such mitigation justice requires.1 presents no persuasive arguments adopt discredited doctrine automatically destroys all claims persons who their degree, however slight. 5 Nor can agree rights must determined Pennsylvania, which, said, would personal action. True, hurt inside ordinarily law. But navigable while working enable safer transportation cargo water. Consequently, maritime tort,2 type Constitution placed national power control 'its substantive well procedural features * *.' Panama R. Co. Johnson, 264 375, 386, 44 391, 393, 68 748. And asserted claim created arising out right rooted federal Even if were seeking enforce state-created remedy right, controlling. While states may sometimes supplement policies,3 state deprive substantial defined controlling acts Congress interpretative decisions These principles frequently declared adhere them. See e.g., Garrett Moore-McCormack Co., 317 239, 243—246, 63 246, 249—251, 87 cases there cited. Caldarola Eckert, 332 155, 67 1569, 91 1968, does support undertakes federally dilute fashioned power, dominant field. 6 Another argument because jurisdiction rested diversity citizenship 28 U.S.C. § 1332, U.S.C.A. 1332.4 principle established Erie Tompkins, 304 64, 58 817, 82 1188, invoked. That decided district courts try causes accordance laws. ended longstanding practice outcome lawsuits often depended whether they tried courthouse courthouse. Tompkins thus designed ensure litigants same kind measured legal standards liability. contended here, however, one sues somehow jeopardizes full otherwise would. certainly 'law side' docket much chance 'admiralty side.' Thus are asked use Erie-Tompkins bring about unfairness end. Once again, parties depend courthouse, even 'side' lawyer might guess best interests client. We decline depart equal embodied doctrine. Of course differently labelled court's docket. Seas Shipping Sieracki, 328 85, 88—89, 66 872, 874—875, 90 1099.5 correctly refused deny applying rule. 7 Second. making compensation payments obligations imposed Longshoremen's Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. Stat. 1424, 33 901 seq., seq. agreed refund contends reduced amount. points verdict includes sums past loss wages medical expenses argued very items account paid him. Consequently says keeps money will double allow him repay give unconscionable reward whose injury. weakness ingenious Act specific provisions permit recoup negligently causing frustrate purpose protect employers subjected absolute liability Moreover, reduction expense equivalent declined require case. 8 Third. reverse overruling 1099. independent stevedoring company, stevedore cargo. shipowner appliances. strong protest unwarranted extension seaworthiness workers other seamen. identical repeated here. reject again Sieracki. asked, distinguish there. pointed Sieracki 'stevedore.' not. protection gave slight differences fact cannot fairly justify distinction urged between cases. Sieracki's based name 'stevedore' did relationship historic seaworthiness. being loaded defect. put so go once. There hurt. need neither nor stevedores seamen voyage. All danger. entitled treatment 9 Fourth. concurring raises question concerning negligence—a argues case, sustaining sue unseaworthiness, them category 'seamen' cannot, Osceola, 189 158, 23 483, 47 760, maintain shipowner. Osceola crew member employed master member's 'fellow servants.' Recoveries members limited actions maintenance cure. member. ship. fellow servants. Having contract employment shipowner, upheld blotted long-recognized negligence.6 Neither what said contention. fact, dissent predicated objection adding existing strange indeed hold decision recognized additional shipboard unwittingly deprived 10 Affirmed. 11 FRANKFURTER, concurring. 12 told 'right law.' No student cited statement. 13 1903, first time unseaworthy condition Not until 1920, Congress, 46 688, given alternatives suing unseaworthiness. Pacific S.S. Peterson, 278 130, 138, 49 75, 77, 73 220. As longshoremen, providing safe conditions work. 1926 extended benefits Jones Act, construing 'seaman' include longshoreman. International Stevedoring Haverty, 272 50, 19, 157. preferring different mode longshoremen seamen, displaced workmen's act applicable solely longshoremen. Like business invitees, passengers freight consignees, Then April 22, 1946, 1099, owner seamen's remedy. Until today, never alternative members. summary history hardly shows deep roots needlessly decide exist. 14 I Appeals, supports recovery.1 This, course, assumes worker 15 peculiarly cause jurisdiction,' 73, 77. nature without fault recovery, although relevant assessing supra. irrelevant issue. commingle engraft onto foreign right. 16 If only count it, seaworthy claim, considerations come into play before us. below indicates application since plaintiff contributorily negligent. Therefore, rely bar. Whether available difficult disposition unnecessary view Both after recognizing recovered negligence—often described 'negligence ship'—as invitees. Compare Leathers Blessing, 105 626, 26 1192, Max Morris Curry, 137 1, 29, 34 586. Although where elements probably present, rarely used term. plaintiff's default altogether, rather served reduce awarded. 18 assimilated inevitably doubts still except insofar applicable, enforceable. Cf. Hamilton, 207 398, 133, 52 264. members' negligence.2 Did laboring old 'service ship' (328 880) leave seamen?3 19 hand, broadened shore workers; seaman's status depriving attained status. other, longshoreman able 'play ways': entitled, is, enjoy prior seaman. non-statutory remedies injuries, member, true 'ward admiralty,' one. statutory justifies according remedies, define including 20 Since affords broadly construed courts, Mahnich Southern note 2, supra, rare constitute arise, longshoreman, 21 practical importance measure difficulty. subtle issues judicial lawmaking main source ought embarrass future answers premature pronouncements, especially benefit mature submissions counsel. 22 problem give. imply suit Supreme prevented recovering overrule provide purport rights, apply contents 239. enforcing fails afford too complicated passed upon answer depends decides. E.g., 1968. 24 JACKSON, whom REED BURTON join, dissenting. 25 conducive dispassionate remind ourselves unquestionably covered Nobody harbor usually receive suffered slightly circumstances. What issue bonus above scale general, special create party, bareboat charterer refer seems me confuse tort destroy integrity former system peculiarities risks seagoing labor. 27 1. Diversity Citizenship State Law. instituted side court, specifically 'jurisdiction citizenship' pleading requisites jurisdiction. After amendment, alleged ordinary lack shall presently point out, allegations invocation Federal Commonwealth territorial sustained. permissible Judiciary 1789, 76—77, Courts 'exclusive original cognizance *; saving suitors, cases, remedy, competent Under reservation appear considerable room law, do undertake how much. 29 form action, trial. instructions scrambled doctrines indemnity 30 But, fail jury, interrogatories, reported himself guilty and, defeats some sustain verdict. 31 2. Action Negligence. 32 failure overcome provides difficulties, formidable counsel makes it. Notwithstanding this, implies relies help toward supporting gives employer, claimant clear provided this. 71 157, attempted Immediately made exclusive, conferred workers. So liable employer. invoking law—the invitee—he possible tort. tricky one, resurrecting involved many aspects longer force. event, charge theories possibly fair understanding instructed hand necessary theory itself least submission eliminate confusing 3. Indemnity Unseaworthiness. 35 Along submitted liability, unseaworthy. seaman compensatory show 36 explained page 171, 485, adopted British legislation, wherein 'in every service, express implied, thereof, obligation implied reasonable means insure during voyage.' American warranty seaworthiness, relieved exercise due diligence rests 321 96, 100, 64 455, 457, 88 561. begun, tried, breach 37 principal reliance advanced novel virtual repetition earlier effort promptly rebuffed enacted preserve distinction. greater departure rejected taken further expanded logic saying aboard ship, fit sailing. repair works contractor unjustified. cite authority holding, think 38 carpenter employ repairing company. company certain sent direction worked. seem hires contracting firm guarantees starts. everything ship-shape, services repairmen. 39 expansion repairman illogical, contrary decisional consistent scheme sharp seafaring man worker. 40 From ancient times landsmen, sea service service. board merchant ties fate joins community labor extremely hard. Voyages long, tedious treacherous. Shipwreck, stranding, capture pirates. fire, eventualities threatened. Scurvy common, ships little prepared combat disease. Discipline cruel, savage punishments inflicted. Poor food, cramped quarters, long hours subjection lot ameliorated, laborer suffers entirely discipline risk tied freedom restricted. unusual dependent medicine, care welfare supplies Contrast lived home, free employment, took hazard attached job building ashore. 41 differentiation contrasted apparent study U.S.C., c. 18, 541 governs most obvious respects claimant's position land-based laborer, bargain, strike quit, subject extraordinary hazards, differed (there exceptions) part crew. 42 Government superintends engagement discharge apprentices terms execution contract, presence proper time. §§ 545, 561, 565. penalties taking virtue agreement supervision. 567—568, 575. Every day hour render neglect mentioned giving twenty-four hours' notice inability, forfeit one-half day's pay. neglects deserts, emoluments. 576. Unlike land 'exerted utmost save vessel, cargo, stores 592. advance earned same, assignment allotment dependents 599. credit, sum exceeding dollar recoverable debt contracted 602. 43 important majority complain unfit crew, body, tackle, apparel, furniture, intended thereupon inquiry determination, refuse proceed, 653, 655. inspection comply standards, 660—1, 660a, water obtain examination. 662. More importantly, man. not, may, striking quitting job. Desertion, refusing join absence within sailing port, duty sufficient reason, arrival port she security, punishable forfeitures wages. option master, willful disobedience lawful command irons cease, continued four days five bread cease. To added forfeitures. 701. more, enough demonstrate knew respected difference preserved plus workers, claimant, 45 myself believe either congressional tradition sense mingle types done division discuss, my conclusion below. 586; Arizona Anelich, 298 110, 122, 56 707, 711, 80 1075, cited; Socony-Vacuum Oil Smith, 305 424, 428—429, 59 262, 265, 83 265; Jacob New York City, 315 752, 755, 62 854, 855, 86 1166; compare Moore McCormack 244—245, 250—251, Belden Chase, 150 674, 264, 1218. Atlantic Transport Imbrovek, 234 52, 61—63, 733, 735, 1208. Just Chambers, 312 383, 387—392, 668, 61 687, 690—693, 85 903; Kelly Washington ex rel. Foss 302 13, 87, 93, Government. situation 1331, 'under Constitution, laws treaties States.' Doucette Vincent, Cir., 194 834 Jansson Swedish Lines, 185 212, A.L.R.2d 1385. Jordine Walling, somewhat similar regard words 1007 'as meaning new rules side. Such unreasonable unwilling attribute it.' 395, Illustrative unbroken line contractors rightfully transacting shipowners' are: 1882, 1192; Morris, 1890, Gerrity Kate Cann, D.C.1880, 241; Helios, D.C.1882, 732, Judge Addison Brown; Grays Stevedore Fountain, 1925, 385; Tide Water Associated Richardson, 1948, 169 802; Brady Roosevelt 1943, 575, 577, 425, 426, 471. collected A.L.R. 1025—1034. raised trial us servant rule, went further. stated doubtful servant, master's Osceola's reaffirmed Chelentis Luckenbach 247 372, 501, 1172. unconcerned stevedore's remotest intimation minority thought

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