Document: 369 U.S. 1 82 S.Ct. 585 7 L.Ed.2d 492 Suzanne Thomas RICHARDS, etc., et al., Petitioners,v.UNITED STATES of America al. No. 59. Argued Nov. 15, 1961. Decided Feb. 26, 1962. Truman B. Rucker, Tulsa, Okl., for petitioners. Richard J. Medalie, Washington, D.C., respondent, the United States. W. Patterson, Dallas, Tex., American Airlines, Inc. Mr. Chief Justice WARREN delivered opinion Court. The question to be decided in this case is what law a Federal District Court should apply an action brought under Tort Claims Act1 where act negligence occurs one State and results injury death another State. basic provision Act states that Government shall liable tortious conduct committed by its employees acting within scope their employment 'under circumstances States, if private person, would claimant accordance with place or omission occurred.'2 parties urge alternatives selecting determine liability statute are: (1) internal occurred, (2) whole (including choice-of-law rules) (3) operative effect took place. 2 Although particular facts are relatively unimportant deciding before us, brief recitation them necessary set context our decision. petitioners personal representatives passengers killed when airplane, owned respondent crashed Missouri while en route from Oklahoma, New York City. Suit was against States Northern on theory Government, through Civil Aviation Agency, had 'negligently failed enforce terms Aeronautics regulations thereunder which prohibited practices then being used Inc., overhaul depot Oklahoma.'3 each either already received $15,000 settlement maximum amount recoverable Wrongful Death Act,4 been tendered amount. They sought additional amounts Oklahoma Act5 contains no limitation single person may recover tortfeasor. filed third-party complaint seeking reimbursement any might 3 After pretrial hearing, ruled complaints state claims upon relief could granted since not applied extraterritorially 'where occurring Missouri.'6 Alternatively, court noted applicable Act, 'then general including conflicts rule, thereunder,' thus precluding further recovery rule refer Missouri, effect.7 In dismissing petitioners' found it unnecessary pass asserted American. On appeal, Appeals Tenth Circuit affirmed judgment divided vote,8 majority agreeing lower cause based Act. dissent, chief judge, believing Congress intended occurred control rights liabilities parties, stated he thought error conflict-of-laws have remanded determination 4 That confronting us important recurring nature made apparent conflicting views expressed solution federal courts. five circuits has arisen, resolution reached adoption urged suit. contention, reference Section 1346(b) 'place occurred' directs application only State—here, Oklahoma—is supported Seventh Circuit's decision Voytas v. 256 F.2d 786, Columbia Eastern Air Lines Union Trust Co., 95 U.S.App.D.C. 189, 221 62, as well dissenting judge instant case. Government's interpretation order also give 2674,9 providing same manner individual, must adhered Second Landon 197 128, at bar. although willing abide advanced suggests, alternative, effect—here, Missouri—should control. This construction Ninth Marshall, 230 183, case, supra. It resolve three-fold conflict enunciate can uniformly cases we certiorari. 366 916, 81 1093, 6 240. I. 5 principal originally enacted Title IV Legislative Reorganization 1946,10 1346(b), reading pertinent part: '* * district courts exclusive jurisdiction civil actions money damages loss property, caused negligent wrongful employee his office employment, occurred.' 2674, relevant decision, provides: 8 'The liable, respecting tort claims, extent individual like circumstances, but interest prior punitive damages.' 9 designed primarily remove sovereign immunity suits and, certain specific exceptions, render circumstances.11 evident patterned operate complete independence principles developed common refined judicial various Rather, build legal relationships formulated characterized extent, statutory scheme exemplary generally interstitial character law. If meant alter supplant specifically done so limited objectives is, notwithstanding law, Congress, waiving employees, imposed restrictions conditions substance liability.12 We whether, exercised power choice laws And, because issue controlled formal expression will need pause consider whether rests diversity citizenship extended such this, statute.13 addition, even though left implication task giving content controlling itself, presented situation wholly distinguishable those initial inquiry appropriate simple law.14 Here, decide, first, words direct second, most consistent legislative purpose enacting II. 10 history extensive,15 not, except negative way, helpful solving problem multistate repeatedly observed did problems during long period legislation prepared enactment.16 concern illustrated history,17 injured operating government vehicle otherwise situations rarely involving question.18 these instances, normally occur simultaneously jurisdiction, clear, meaning 'the required. however, faced events touching more than 'place'—a apparently explicitly consider—and, thus, compelled critical words. 11 expressly determined occurred,19 must, course, start assumption ordinary used. believe difficult conceive precise language command employ Thus first reject alternative Airlines. materials cited American20 lack probative force sense, they completely unpersuasive support argument 'act omission' effect. ease inherent lends attractiveness, bound framework chosen wisdom latter process construction. conclude has, requires courts, actions, look instance acts III. 12 However, completed. Having rejected third initially inconsistent express terminology now reach 'law place.' Do embrace place? problem, unlike discussed II, supra, dealt therefore establish due regard variant interests policies legislation. 13 fundamental section read isolation Act,21 fulfilling responsibility interpreting legislation, 'we guided sentence member sentence, (should) provisions object policy.'22 assume adrift questions provided definite answer which, indicated, intimately related Thus, whole, purpose, occurred. 14 led conclusion other persuasive factors fact very among here illustrates reasonable view First, enables treat 'private circumstances,' considered whole.23 followed vast States,24 substantive parties. Therefore, forum enable treated circumstances.25 Moreover, provides degree flexibility possible Recently there tendency part some depart take into account having significant contact litigation.26 see compelling reason saddle prevent implementing policy rules adopted it. Should continue rejection older appear inappropriate inequitable,27 step approach, whole. 15 absence evidence contrary, do adopt inflexible Despite enact litigation type independent States' development rules, particularly involved here, so. Nor persuaded require forth Act,28 coextensive seems sufficient note instances also, list exceptions indirect modification rules. Certainly nothing remotely supports intend Government.29 16 Under find courts' pronouncements cannot given extra-territorial effect.30 IV. 17 Our State's doctrine indicated discussion Part III opinion.31 Where sufficiently substantial activity question, State, analysis possessed involved, constitutionally activity.32 free own factual situation.33 Both sitting Circuit, interpreted decisions,34 held controlling, declare death.35 Missouri's controls conceded petitioner $15,000, full compensation claims. Accordingly, below were correct holding that, granted. affirmed. 18 Affirmed. 28 U.S.C. §§ 1291, 1346, 1402, 1504, 2110, 2401, 2402, 2411, 2412, 2671—2680, U.S.C.A. 2671—2680. § 1346(b). 72 Stat. 778, 49 1425, Administrator Agency charged enforcing inspection, maintenance, repair all equipment air transportation. Mo.Rev.Stat.1949, 537.090, V.A.M.S. Subsequent origination Code amended provide $25,000. Mo.Rev.Stat.1959, 537.090. Okl.Stat., 1951, Tit. 12, 1051—1054. reported. Gochenour St. Louis-San Francisco R. 205 Okl. 594, 239 P.2d 769. 285 521. 2674. 60 842 (1946). See Feres 340 135, 71 153, L.Ed. 152, detailed purposes history. Soriano 352 270, 77 269, 306; Sherwood, 312 584, 61 767, 85 1058. Klaxon Co. Stentor Electric Mfg. 313 487, 1020, 1477. Vanston Bondholders Protective Committee Green, 329 156, 67 237, 91 162; McKenzie Irving 323 365, 65 405, 89 305; D'Oench, Duhme & Deposit Ins. Corp., 315 447, 62 676, 86 956. See, e.g., Holmberg Armbrecht, 327 392, 66 582, 90 743; Clearfield 318 363, 63 573, 87 838; 956; Royal Indemnity 289, 995, 1; Board Com'rs Jackson County 308 343, 285, 84 313. Hart Wechsler, Courts System, 679 seq. Hearings House Judiciary H.R. 5373 6463, 77th Cong., 2d Sess.; S.Rep. 1196, H.R.Rep. 2245, 1287, 79th 1st Sess. 68 Harv.L.Rev. 1455 (1955); 45 Iowa L.Rev. 125 (1959); N.Y.L.F. 484, 488—490 (1960). 2428, 76th 3d 3; 39, 66; Subcommittee 7236, 7, 16; Senate S. 2690, 9; 69 Cong.Rec. 2192, 2193, 3118; 12024. Knecht Cir., 242 929; Irish 225 Praylou, 208 291; Somerset Seafood 193 631; D'Anna 181 335; Olson 175 510; Modla 151 F.Supp. 198; Irvin 148 25. 19 20 9, 30. suggests testimony Francis Shea, Assistant Attorney General Judiciary, who stated, asked bring suit venue allowed resides Because 'wherein complained (28 1402(b)), 1402(b), contends addition bears relation choice-of-laws problems, considerations underlying substantially different determining allow isolated piece detract employed. 21 National Labor Relations Lion Oil 282, 288, 330, 333, 331; Cherokee Intermarriage Cases, 203 76, 89, 27 29, 34, 51 96; Panama Refining Ryan, 293 388, 439, 55 241, 256, 79 446 (Cardozo, J., dissenting). 22 Mastro Plastics Corp. Board, 350 76 349, 359, 100 309, quoting Boisdore's Heirs, How. 113, 122, 1009. 23 quoted text, defendant circumstances. 24 Restatement, Conflict Laws, 377, 378 391. repeated frequently citation serve purpose. For collection cases, Goodrich, 263—264; Stumberg, 182—187; 25 C.J.S. 28, nn. 27—30. example, American's Oklahoma. both defendants' Missouri. statute, allowing plaintiffs reside 1402(b); 510), arise individual's exactly manner. 26 Grant McAuliffe, 41 Cal.2d 859, 264 944, 42 A.L.R.2d 1162; Schmidt Driscoll Hotel, 249 Minn. 376, N.W.2d 365; Haumschild Continental Casualty Wis.2d 130, 814. Currie, Survival Actions: Adjudication versus Automation Stan.L.Rev. (1958). Cf. Vrooman Beech Aircraft 183 479; Levy Daniels' U-Drive Auto Renting 108 Conn. 143 A. 163, A.L.R. 846; Caldwell Gore, La. 501, So. 387; Burkett Globe 182 Miss. 423, 316. Black 161—162, 239, 162, analogous problem: 'In transaction, seldom mechanical formulae Determination exercise informed balancing contacts best accommodate equities states.' permits claimants sue available 1346(b); prescribes limitations shorter longer 2401(b); obtain trial jury 2402; regardless governing individuals, 2674; defendant, claim arising out assault, battery, false imprisonment, arrest, malicious prosecution, abuse process, libel, slander, misrepresentation, deceit, interference contract rights, whereas 2680(h); foreign country, 2680(k); exempts types activities, 2680. 29 fact, despite ambiguity exists material indicates applicable. term particularized situs omission. 35; local id., 27, 30, 59 61; 6; 4; 1400, 32; 30; (4) alleged tort. 44; (5) locale damage. 9. 30 Fenton Sinclair 206 19, 240 748. 31 Supra, U.S., pp. 12—13, S.Ct., 593—594 cited. Carroll Lanza, 349 408, 75 804, 99 1183; Watson Employers Liability 348 66, 166, 74; Pacific Industrial Accident Comm., 306 493, 629, 83 940. Hartford Delta Pine Land 292 143, 54 634, 78 1178; Home Insurance Dick, 281 397, 50 338, 74 926. 32 33 Alabama G.S.R. Carroll, 97 Ala. 126, 803, L.R.A. 433; Otey Midland Valley Kan. 755, P. 203; Connecticut Lumber Maine Central N.H. 553, 103 263; El Paso N.W.R. McComus, 36 Tex.Civ.App. 170, S.W. 760 (holding controls) 365 controls). Hunter Derby Foods, 110 970, 133 255; 35 Col.L.Rev. 202. 34 769; Miller Tennis, 140 185, 282 345. aware sister two relied largely dictum follow taken contend erroneous ordinarily accept determinations presented. Box 351 159, 165, 728, 732, 1055; Estate Spiegel Commissioner, 335 701, 707—708, 301, 303—304, 93 330; Huddleston Dwyer, 322 232, 64 1015, 1018, 88 1246.

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