Document: 503 U.S. 115 112 S.Ct. 1061 117 L.Ed.2d 261 Myra Jo COLLINS, Petitioner,v.CITY OF HARKER HEIGHTS, TEXAS. No. 90-1279. Argued Nov. 5, 1991. Decided Feb. 26, 1992. Syllabus Larry Collins, an employee in respondent city's sanitation department, died of asphyxia after entering a manhole to unstop sewer line. Petitioner, his widow, brought this action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging, inter alia, that Collins had right the Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment "to be free from unreasonable risks harm . and protected [city's] custom policy deliberate indifference toward [its employees'] safety"; city violated by following not training its employees about dangers working sewers providing safety equipment warnings; systematically intentionally failed provide required Texas statute. The District Court dismissed complaint on ground it did allege constitutional violation. Without reaching question whether Collins' rights, Appeals affirmed theory there been no "abuse governmental power," which court found necessary element 1983 action. Held: Because customary failure train or warn known hazards workplace does violate Clause, remedy for municipal who is fatally injured course employment as result failure. Pp. 119-130. (a) This Court's cases do support Appeals' reading requiring abuse power separate apart proof Contrary court's analysis, neither fact was government nor characterization something other than power" sufficient reason refusing entertain petitioner's federal claim 1983. Proper analysis requires two issues separated when asserted against municipality: (1) plaintiff's caused violation, (2) if so, responsible 119-120. (b) It assumed purpose decision complaint's use term "deliberate indifference" characterize department hold has also alleged See Canton v. Harris, 489 378, 109 1197, 103 412. 120-124. (c) Neither Clause's text—which, guarantees due process connection with any deprivation liberty State—nor history supports unprecedented imposes independent substantive duty upon municipalities certain minimal levels security workplace. Although "process" includes continuing obligation satisfy custodial standards those have already deprived their liberty, petitioner cannot maintain made, he voluntarily accepted, offer. Also unpersuasive employees, them harm, omission can properly characterized arbitrary, conscience-shocking, sense. Petitioner's analogous fairly typical tort state law, supplanted see e.g., Daniels Williams, 474 327, 332-333, 106 662, 665-666, 88 particularly area public employment, see, Bishop Wood, 426 341, 350, 96 2074, 2080, 48 684. In light presumption administration Government programs based rational decision-making takes account competing forces, decisions concerning allocation resources individual programs, such maintenance, particular aspects training, involve host choices must made locally elected representatives, rather judges interpreting country's basic charter Government. For same reasons, suggestion Hazard Communication Act her rejected. 125-130. 916 F.2d 284 (CA5 1990), affirmed. STEVENS, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Sanford Jay Rosen, San Francisco, Cal., petitioner. Lucas A. Powe, Jr., Seattle, Wash., respondent. Justice STEVENS 1 presented Civil Rights 1871, provides because customarily Even though conduct may actionable we apply Clause. 2 On October 21, 1988, Michael Harker Heights, Texas, alleging "had body, mind emotions Heights' employees." App. 7. Her lines manholes, at job sites, warnings. prior incident given notice lines1 Ibid. violation alleged. W-89-CA-168 (W.D.Tex., Oct. 30, 1988), 20. Fifth Circuit different theory. 1990). reach rights denied recovery action.2 Id., 287-288, n. 3. 3 contrary Ruge City Bellevue, 892 738 (CA8 1989), together our concern interpretation statute, prompted grant certiorari, 499 ----, 111 1579, 113 644 (1991). 4 * Our statute citizen effective abuses Martinez California, 444 277, 100 553, 62 481 (1980), DeShaney Winnebago County Department Social Services, 189, 998, 249 (1989). More importantly, draw distinction between abusive nonabusive violations. 5 rests largely had, through allegedly tortious conduct, harmed one ordinary over whom exercised power. relationship, however, controlling significance. hand, pursued equally pedestrians resulted fatal injury inadvertently stepped into open manhole, holding would speak situation all, although seem pedestrian should analyzed similar manner logical application might bar potentially meritorious claims if, example, dangerous assignment retaliation political speech, cf. St. Louis Praprotnik, 485 112, 108 915, 99 107 (1988), gender, Monell New York Dept. 436 658, 98 2018, 56 611 (1978). First Amendment, Equal Protection Clauses provisions Federal Constitution afford protection serve well are served them, cause all citizens abridgement protections. decedent 6 Nevertheless, proper us Oklahoma Tuttle, 471 808, 817, 105 2427, 2433, 85 791 (1985) (opinion REHNQUIST, J.); id., 828-829, S.Ct., 2438-2439 Brennan, concurring part judgment). most opinions discussing involved latter issue, appropriate discuss before considering II 7 Section "any person" who, color deprives another Constitution.3 Monell, held Congress intended local entities included among persons applies. U.S., 690, 2035. At time, clear liable "unless pursuant official some nature tort." 691, 2036.4 emphasized 8 "a municipality solely employs tortfeasor—or, words, respondeat superior 9 10 "[T]herefore, sued inflicted agents. Instead, execution government's custom, lawmakers whose edicts acts said represent policy, inflicts entity 1983." 694, 2037-2038 (emphasis original). 11 series later cases, considered acting law provided basis imposing liability city. each adequately proved focused attention issue liability. Thus, supra, police officer decedent's but wrongful single without policy-making authority establish policy. And adverse taken plaintiff concluded subordinate necessarily reflect Pembaur Cincinnati, 475 469, 1292, 89 452 (1986), unconstitutional actions Prosecutor Sheriff they were "officials establishing final respect subject matter question," 483-484, 1300. 12 citing these emphasize character inquiry responsibility occurred. analyze because, unlike litigation, doctrine inapplicable. vicariously torts agents: only itself wrongdoer. case relies so heavily reasoning 412 (1989)—and doing seems assume dealt issue—it comment specifically case. 13 can, circumstances, "for violations resulting 380, 1200. Among advanced "right, receive medical while custody." 381, 1201.5 arguendo care denied, 388-389, 8, 1204-1205, addressed attributable custom. 14 We began plainly indicating deciding issue. 15 "In 658 [98 611] (1978), decided where causes Respondeat vicarious will attach 694-695 2037-2038]. 'It "execution injury" 1983.' Springfield Kibbe, 480 257, 267 [107 1114, 1120, 94 293] (1987) (O'CONNOR, dissenting) (quoting supra [436 U.S.], 694 2037-38] ). 16 "Thus, first direct causal link deprivation." 385, 1203. 17 suggest harm-causing policies unconstitutional. Moreover, rejected argument create 387, 1204. violates another's failing particular, inadequate officers could if—and if—the amounted come contact. 388, 1204.6 18 used contexts define threshold finding Eighth Estelle Gamble, 429 97, 104, 97 285, 291, 50 251 (1976), explained, quite identifying committed inadequately trained agents.7 case, department. allegations substitute agents, assumption confront To now turn. III 19 entirely Amendment.8 familiar office guarantee fair procedure life, property State. advance procedural she component protects "certain regardless fairness procedures implement them." 331, 665, 662 (1986). 20 As general matter, always reluctant expand concept guideposts decisionmaking unchartered scarce open-ended. Regents University Michigan Ewing, 214, 225-226, 507, 513-514, 523 (1985). judicial self-restraint exercise utmost whenever asked break new field. important, therefore, focus determine how describes stake what deprive husband right. 21 A charge wilful rights. Petitioner agents deliberately husband. fact, even supervisor instructed him go knew significant risk injured. makes more allegation life reasonably safe work environment.9 Fairly analyzed, advances theories: workplace, arbitrary "shock conscience" judges. Cf. Rochin 342 165, 172, 72 205, 209, L.Ed. 183 (1952). 22 text employer's environment "[T]he prevent 'from abusing [its] power, employing instrument oppression.' " 196, 1003 Davidson Cannon, 344, 348, 668, 670, 677 (1986)). recognized DeShaney, 23 "The phrased limitation State's act, security. forbids State individuals 'due law,' language extended impose affirmative ensure interests means. Nor expansive text." 195, 1003.10 24 submission unprecedented. plaintiffs several argued owes take liberty. held, cruel unusual punishment Hutto Finney, 437 678, 2565, 57 522 own force conditions confinement pretrial detainees, Bell Wolfish, 441 520, 535, 16, 545, 1861, 1872, 1877, 60 447 (1979), mental institutions, Youngberg Romeo, 457 307, 315-316, 102 2452, 2457-2458, 73 28 (1982), convicted felons, Turner Safley, 482 78, 94-99, 2254, 2265-2267, 64 (1987), arrest, Revere Massachusetts General Hospital, 463 239, 244-245, 2979, 2983-2984, 77 605 (1983). thus standards. 200, 1005. maintain, offer employment. 25 persuaded claim: breached environment. "does purport supplant traditional laying down rules regulate injuries attend living society," 332, previously interpreted duties traditionally imposed 665-666; Baker McCollan, 443 137, 146, 2689, 2695, 61 433 (1979); Paul Davis, 424 693, 701, 1155, 1160, 47 405 (1976). applies special employers Constitution, generally governs substance relationship. See, 684 (1976); Board Colleges Roth, 408 564, 577-578, 92 2701, 2709-2710, 33 548 (1972). 26 refusal sense social, political, economic forces. Walker Rowe, 510 (CA7 1986). Decisions compensation entire country. "is incorrect ill-advised personnel decisions." 2080. harm. 27 Finally, reject Act11 claim. noxious gases protective minimize dangers.12 assume, argues, created entitlement qualifies "liberty interest" But assumptions, fail interest Harrah Independent School Dist. Martin, 440 194, 198-199, 1062, 1064-1065, 59 248 (1979). reasons why constitute constitutionally 128-129, fortiori less sum, conclude judgment therefore 29 ordered. "[p]rior October, Heights exposed rendered unconscious months Heights." explained: seeking demonstrate, particularly, government—in capacity employer governing authority—that give rise action? base standard, standard. district appears merged standards, bringing play here. reviewing Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal, keep separate. Circuit, standard satisfied—an While many ways to, often blends with, elements action, right, springs sources element, nonetheless." 284, 286-287 section states, relevant part: "Every person ordinance, regulation, usage, subjects, subjected, United States privileges, immunities secured laws, shall party suit equity, proceeding redress. ." Petitioners class female Services Education, implementing compelled pregnant unpaid leaves absences reasons. 660-661, 2020-2021. "At close evidence, submitted jury, Mrs. Harris' except one: treatment Canton, 382, 1201 added). added: "Only municipality's evidences 'deliberate indifference' inhabitants shortcoming thought 'policy custom' "Consequently, respondent's—alleging suffered—are cognizable yield reflects inhabitants." 389, 392, 1205, 1206. Indeed, expressly stated: adopt 'failure train' turn degree fault (if any) show make out underlying violation." 1204, 8. states: "nor property, law." alleges warning danger death "Historically, applied officials property. E.g., Orleans, [24 616] (1878) (assessment real estate); 165 [72 183] (1952) (stomach pumping); Burson, 402 535 [91 1586, 90] (1971) (suspension driver's license); Ingraham Wright, 430 651 [97 1401, 51 711] (1977) (paddling student); Hudson Palmer, 468 517 [104 3194, 82 393] (1984) (intentional destruction inmate's property). No Parratt [v. Taylor, 451 527, 101 1908, 68 420 (1981) ] supported view negligent official, causing injury, constitutes common-sense notion like forebear Magna Carta, Corwin, Doctrine Law Before War, Harv.L.Rev. 366, 368 (1911), 'intended secure powers government,' Hurtado 110 516, 527 [4 111, 117, 232] (1884)." Tex.Rev.Civ.Stat.Ann., Art. 5182b (Vernon 1987). 10(a) example: provide, least annually, education program using handling hazardous chemicals. Additional instruction potential exposure chemicals altered information received chemical. newly assigned containing chemicals." 15(a) "Employees informed access chemical list [material data sheets] addition, measures protect themselves personal equipment. These guaranteed date Act."

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