Document: 361 U.S. 314 80 S.Ct. 341 4 L.Ed.2d 305 Henry L. HESS, Jr., Administrator of the Estate George William Graham, Deceased, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES America. No. 5. Argued Oct. 15, 1959. Decided Jan. 18, 1960. Mr. Cleveland C. Cory, Portland, Or., for petitioner. Alan S. Rosenthal, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice STEWART delivered opinion Court. 1 This action was brought against United States under Federal Tort Claims Act1 to recover death petitioner's decedent, W. Graham. Graham drowned in Columbia River while course his employment as a carpenter foreman Larson Construction Company, an independent contractor which had undertaken perform repairs at Bonneville Dam. That structure is owned and operated by States. 2 As preliminary job it contracted accomplish, decided send working party boat foot spillway dam take soundings. told government inspector plan asked that operating personnel be requested close two additional gates near point where soundings were taken. request complied with. then dispatched group employees area tug-and-barge unit. member this party. Approaching dam, tug barge veered struck pier, staving hole barge. The unit carried northwardly river towards part open. There capsized turbulent water. Grapham all but one fellow killed. Their deaths occurred on navigable waters within territorial limits State Oregon. 3 theory complaint Graham's been proximately caused failure sufficient number Liability asserted general wrongful statute Oregon,2 well another State, Employers' Law,3 also creates right certain circumstances. permits recovery 'caused act or omission another,' liability $20,000, makes decedent's contributory negligence absolute bar recovery.4 In limited Law applies, road considerably easier. Under defendant liable 'use every device, care precaution practicable use protection safety life limb * *.'5 no monetary limitation liability, goes only mitigate damages.6 5 After trial without jury, District Court entered judgment Since waters, court ruled case decision maritime law, would apply Upon basis detailed findings fact concluded there because 'not its employees.' Law, court's view 'this Act not applicable reason Government responsible work being performed, further high standard required Act, if applied these cases, unconstitutional.' 1958 A.M.C. 660. 6 Appeals affirmed, holding erred finding proved, agreeing 'could constitutionally case.' appellate expressly refrained from deciding 'whether correct ruling that, applied, thereunder performed decedent.' 9 Cir., 259 F.2d 285, 292. Certiorari granted consider seemingly important question federal law. 359 923, 79 604, 627. 7 At reaches us, petitioner longer challenges guilty such make His sole claim here he erroneously deprived opportunity invoke Law. 8 grants Courts jurisdiction civil actions 'for injury loss property, personal negligent any employee acting scope office employment, circumstances States, private person, claimant accordance with law place occurred.' 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b), U.S.C.A. 1346(b). allegedly Oregon, must therefore determined place. controversy is, correctly held, reach admiralty jurisdiction, Plymouth, Wall. 20, 18 L.Ed. 125; Kermarec v. Compagnie Generale, 358 625, 406, 550. Oregon required, therefore, look it. Chelentis Luckenbach S.S. Co., 247 372, 38 501; 62 1171; Carlisle Packing Co. Sandanger, 255, 42 475, 66 927.7 10 Although itself confers death, Harrisburg, 119 199, 140, 30 358, yet 'where results tort committed state whose statutes give account act, courts will entertain libel personam damages sustained those whom given.' Western Fuel Garcia, 257 233, 242, 89, 90, 210. See Hamilton, 207 398, 133, 52 264; La Bourgogne, 210 95, 664, 973; Levinson Deupree, 345 648, 73 914, 97 1319; Tungus Skovgaard, 588, 503, 524; New York Jersey Sandy Hook Pilots Ass'n Halecki, 613, 517, 541. enforces 'as originating foreign jurisdiction.' 652, 916. 11 means conduct said rise measured admiralty's standards duty, substantive 615, 518. Curtis A. Garcia y Cia., 241 30; H.S., Inc., 72, 130 341; Klingseisen Costanzo Transp. 101 902; Lusi, Ltd., 206 223; Truelson Whitney & Bodden Shipping 412; Quinette Bisso, 136 F. 825, L.R.A.,N.S.., 303; Lee Pure Oil 218 711; Feige Hurley, 89 575; Holley Manfred Stansfield, 269 317.8 '(A)dmiralty courts, when invoked protect rights rooted endeavor determine issues State.' Garrett Moore-McCormack 317 239, 245, 63 246, 251, 87 239. 12 Accepting principle, we find constitutional impediment application, Oregon's otherwise terms apply. We are concerned adjudication, reaching particular given cases. What last Term controlling here: 13 'The policy expressed Legislature enacting merely shall recovery, nor even tortious resulting actionable, recoverable kind death. It incumbent upon enforcing enforce all; may pick choose.' page 593, 507. 14 'Even Southern Pacific Jensen, fathered 'uniformity' concept, recognized uniformity offended 'the cases.' 244 205, 216, 37 524, 529, 61 1086. anomaly hold create exists. power includes necessity permitted not. Cf. Caldarola Eckert, 332 155, 67 1569, 91 1968.' 594, 15 have open whether might contain provisions so offensive traditional principles decline them. issue presents problem. Indeed, points out, contains many more consonance than State's statute. hold, created inhibition. 16 Whether terms, construed Supreme Court, extend present case, whether, applicable, violated prescribes, questions do undertake decide, intimate view. made alternative inapplicable matter did question. has argued here, leave disposition home Oregon.9 17 set aside remanded Ninth Circuit. So ordered. 19 CHIEF JUSTICE, BLACK, DOUGLAS BRENNAN join solely compulsion Court's 524. They believe long represented prevails should evenhandedly, despite contrary views some originally joining measure helps defendant, Tungus, militates does here. However, they note their continued disagreement reserve position overruled, particularly light application engendered among original subscribers. various separate opinions Goett Union Carbide Corp., 340, 357, et seq. 20 HARLAN, FRANKFURTER joins, dissenting. 21 264, settled occurring available Term, held could maintained limitations placed question, involved namely, lies greater duty governed same occurred.1 22 I read aright, holds victim dies result wholly governs liability.2 time leaves 'provisions them,' 'presents problem.' 23 cannot agree growing out torts pervasively controlled conclusion event, Nor can subscribe intimation reserves seriously debate. Because importance issue, fuller statement my justified appropriate lesser concern. I. 24 surely beyond dispute Ore.Rev.Stat. 654.305, imposes stricter imposed cases like reasonable attendant circumstances, negligence. 630, 632, 409, 410, statute, other hand, use— 25 'every limb, preserving efficiency regard cost suitable material appliance (sic) devices.' 654.305. 26 'much higher degree care,' Hoffman Broadway Hazelwood, 139 Or. 519, P.2d 349, 351, 814; 83 A.L.R. 1008, generally defendants accident Camenzind Freeland Furniture 158, 172—173, 174 P. 139, 144. much indeed understand deny. II. 27 Had resulted injuries short clear except follows doctrine supremacy affairs, rule first unmistakably announced 501, 1171, rejected notion 'saving clause' Judiciary 1789, Stat. 77, rules derogation law.3 seaman, seeking compensatory claimed employer. Historically, cause action. shipowner injured crewman provide maintenance cure, irrespective negligence; full indemnity owing breach warranty seaworthiness.4 first, Merchant Marine 1915, 1185,5 notwithstanding, still rule. so, free tort: 'Plainly, think, saving clause sanctioned enforced through remedy common law; nothing therein reveals intention complaining election defendant's common-law rather presented, ask relief, sea.' Id., 384, 504. 29 soon reiterated subsequent 927, which, Chelentis, crew shipowner. Injury mislabeling gasoline stock preserver board. A plaintiff ground vessel unseaworthy respects named; existence denied. proceeding instituted court.' 259, 477. second Robins Dry Dock Repair Dahl, 266 449, 45 157, 69 action, again negligence, employer shipboard injury. Such existed admiralty, Atlantic Transport West Virginia Imbrovek, 234 52, 34 733, 58 1208, duty. Here too principle upheld. An instruction permitting jury requirements erroneous. liabilities parties arose depended enlarged impaired statute.' 457, 158. Largely passage Jones 46 688, 688,6 bound nonadmiralty courts,7 raised litigation several decades. however, demonstrates pervasive Act. denied power, characterizing 'procedural,' own burden proof fraud obtaining release seaman. Rather adopted thus manifests vitality area. 244, 10, 250. 31 remained Pope Talbot, Hawn, 346 74 202, 98 143, demonstrate embodied decisions withered time. shore-based carpenter, employed contractor, sought based negligence8 unseaworthiness. both grounds, effect plaintiff's diminish, defeat, recovery. debarred applying 32 Finally, when, came consider, 550, shipowner's toward social guest member, hesitation about proposition govern admiralty. 33 error governing York. aboard ship waters. complained occurred. legal arising measurable If court, reference necessary parties. 476, 927. Where exercises conferred diversity citizenship choose forum, different, though trial. Whatever doubt once score effectively laid rest 410—411, 204 (205—211).' 628, 408. think clear, then, established line shrugged off discredited relic earlier day.9 total disregard grounded viable. Rather, appears For reasons now discussed mistaken III. 35 address myself why resort statutes.10 understanding shed pivotal case. 36 Unfortunately rationalization problem carry us very far. Holmes Hamilton content say used produce 'any lamentable lack uniformity' 135, 264. McReynolds 210, simply observed logical prior decisions,' '(t)he subject local character,' innovation 'will prejudice characteristic features interfere proper harmony international interstate relations.' 90.11 Other rationalizations desired. 'fill void' See, e.g., 41 Va.L.Rev. 252; B.U.L.Rev. 365, 366; cf. supra, 592, 506, But 'void' sense absence cases; subject. suggested acts regards wiser respect although deems unable alter disfavored Note, Harv.L.Rev. 84, 148, 149. Harrisburg firmly legislation reform, pages 590, 599, 505, 509, scarcely legitimate turn, reason, fault explanations emphasis supplement shortcomings, something always fully competent internally account. Instead, departure believe, recognize endeavoring accommodate policies statutes. approach Congress Death High Seas legislative history 'discloses congressional purpose 'unimpaired States" 'reflects deep concern way affected enactment law.' suggestion contemplated yielded id., 607—608, 514, opinion. 39 confuses things say, sometimes loosely remarked, absorbs embraced systems stand separately, mutually exclusive, conflict arises latter yields former face superior interest. This, what mind stated 'maritime character.' true inquiry becomes involving nature interest extent intrudes concerns, reasoning led summarily 40 authority matters Judge Addison Brown years ago City Norwalk, 55 98,12 highly illuminating. He gave '(1) rights, specially directed commerce navigation, alike sea shore; (2) police power; 'a intended life,' (Huntington Attrill, 146 657, 675, 224, (230, 1123)) most effectual sanctions, viz. imposing offender pay pecuniary indemnity; public, tends avert dependency pauperism survivors shifting support, least, community authors wrong; (3) interferes needful seas, interests.' 108. causes favor victim's estate beneficiaries represents response considerations peculiarly competence: providing family, preventing public responsibility who wrong. These intimately regulating familial relationships. Moreover, predominant, sole, instances legislating order affect conduct, since hypothesis federally already hardly kill injure. either meaningful inroads interests. To quote Brown: 43 does, indeed, new right, liability; single elements up fundamental essential grounds demand. All exist independently least wrong, damage, death; it, pilotage double wharfage add anything sustained. authorizes damages' existing. apparent, Clifford Steamboat Chase, 532 (21 369), 'take operation maxim person." 109. 44 'Before damnum absque injuria; became sense, marine place, nature, *.' 110. Thus, existing solely, nearly reaction strong, localized interests, real encroachment interests.13 Far different purports, impose person bear. Then regulate jurisdiction. induce applies precautions mere thought render import 'local' only. interests expression predominantly By token intrusion into regulated minimal. 47 justification, consistent adjudication upholding suggesting need activity question.14 IV. 48 Nothing relies calls today's holding. None them involved, assertion going standards.15 failing manifestly element assertion. truth clause,' state-created permission. premise offspring, proceeded. When asserted, must, show him recover; done so. chosen sue period, supra; 651—652, 916; relationship 651, 916, contributed fatal injury, 518, uniquely seaworthy ship, neither affords it.16 asking approaches jurisdiction,' 'endeavor State,' 251. having 'determine exists.' 507, 49 none apposite fallacious avoid exposing owed undue risk harm, use,' successors, prevent giving tort, thereby eschew forever obligations appearing bearing label 'wrongful act.' 50 intend go asserts, albeit almost afterthought, doctrines torts, notwithstanding statute.17 finds possible reservation instance resemble doctrines, concerned, comparable presumably tort. With deference, irrelevance seems plain. reviewing Law; constitutionality standard-of-care owner operator dam. minimal fixed situs ground—that reasonably found inapplicable. Neither assert, significantly empty nod, reached today. 51 'evenhandedness,' apparently invoking bear comparatively unfavorable provisions, fair favorable obtain, able enjoy benefits rules. But, 'we unevenhandedness consequence steadfastly adhered 75 years,18 Congress, enacted saw fit change way. 592—593, 506 acts, escape harsh consequences Those declined benefit left were. Certainly not, name permit exceed Constitution.19 affirm. 53 Memorandum WHITTAKER. 54 Except implication, such, State—not remedially supplemented Wrongful Act—which conflicts dissent 345, 360, Brother HARLAN'S dissent. §§ 2674, 2674. 30.020. 654.305 'Action representative another, representatives surviving spouse dependents dependents, maintain wrongdoer, decedent lived, wrongdoer omission. commenced after include expenses paid incurred funeral, burial, doctor, hospital nursing services deceased.' 'Protection persons hazardous generally. Generally, owners, contractors subcontractors charge of, for, danger employes structure, machine apparatus 'Who prosecute damage unlimited. violations ORS 654.335 owner, subcontractor 654.335, children killed and, none, her lineal heirs mother father, be, limit amount awarded. entitled reside state, executor administrator deceased respective above named.' 654.325. 'Contributory defense, taken fixing damage.' 654.335. argues occurred' itself, extension land, land. term 'place' political entity, laws 'in manner individual circumstances.' between parties, exclusive 35, 36, 125. Magruder Grout, Within Admiralty Jurisdiction, Yale L.J. 395, 404. involve presented territory entity entity. Eastern Air Lines Trust 95 U.S.App.D.C. 189, 221 62. 537 seq., 761 seq.; 1007, 688; Longshoremen's Harbor Workers' Compensation 1424 901 contending refers following decisions, others: Byers Hardy, 337 806; Drefs Holman Transfer 452, 280 505; Rorvik North Lumber 99 58, 190 331; 195 163; D. Johnson Corp. Hutchens, 194 574; Coomer Supple Investment 128 274 302; Myers Staub, 201 663, 272 203; Tamm Sauset, 292, 135 868, L.R.A.1917D, 988; Warner Synnes, 114 451, 230 362; 235 305, 904; Walters Commission, 126 487, 245 1117; 634; 270 778. asserting inapplicable, cites authorities. unseaworthiness accepting Appeals, considered confer afforded provision rendering 'law occurred,' convert land treated falling 318, 7. While discussions current usually commence 1086, beginning instance. Jensen workmen's compensation rested 'common-law remedy' preserved embrace remedy, 'of character unknown 218, 530. later establish reflected broader principle. added progeny widely criticized, recognition validity premise. Gilmore Black put Admiralty, 1—17: 'If making subject, states field working.' Stevens, Erie R. Thompkins, 304 64, 817, 82 1188, Uniform General Maritime 64 246. classic formulation Osceola, 189 175, 483, 760. Providing 'seamen command fellow-servants authority.' Black, op. cit., 376 377. Socony-Vacuum Smith, 424, 59 262, 265; Beadle Spencer, 298 124, 56 712, 1082; Arizona Anelich, 110, 707, 1075. Hawn injuring invitee. Max Morris, 137 1, 29, 586. 1968, properly impinging enunciated successors. Tompkins, 263. become diluted Hart Wechsler, System, 482 483. Any doubts 'effectively 204, 409. Prior claims 522, 369, Commerce Clause, Sherlock Alling, 93 99, 102—103, 819, 820. Subsequently, was, little difficulty, assert act. 138, 679, 973. post-Jensen displaced. Great Lakes Dredge Kierejewski, 261 479, 418, 756; Spencer Kellogg Sons Hicks, 285 502, 512—513, 450, 453, 76 903. significance early Chase Alling largely academic, twentieth century developments. analysis unexplained local. attribute obtains activities, local' turned nuances exactly element. E.g., Grant Smith-Porter Rohde, 469, 321, see Robinson, 103; Larson, Workmen's Compensation, 89.22. Put way, although, would, 'local.' affirmed sub nom. 4, 364, 367—368, certificate dismissed motion McCullough York, N.H. H.R. 163 693, 1203, 312. reflection outside realm actions. Just Chambers, 312 383, 687, 85 903, survival tortfeasor. Here, too, breached answer. plaintiffs Red Cross Line Fruit 264 109, 274, 68 582, contract validity, contract, agreements arbitrate specifically enforceable. proceeded arbitration valid specific performance damages. 123—125, 276—277. acknowledged clauses contracts, live them, rendered justify result. overriding inferred maritime, over Cases connection activities remote fortuitous readily accepted applicable. purport treat basis. Court: supra ('negligence' Massachusetts Pennsylvania statutes); Delaware statute); West- ern California 664. 973 ('fault' French law); 1319 ('negligence act' Kentucky ('wrongful neglect default' 541 (same Tungus). lower courts: ('unlawful violence negligence' 902 case); 223 carelessness Florida 412 neglect, carelessness, unskilfulness (sic), Texas L.R.A., N.S., 303 Louisiana 711 omission, killing' Tennessee 575 statute). foregoing employee. remaining relied referred Halecki course, enforce,' 346, challenged provision, inhibit federal, cited, supra. ought explicitly rests evenhanded enforcement state-afforded offend Faithful adherence lead situations, depending accorded prevail flatly opposed short, opposite attributable differences cases—a remains cases—but involved.

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