Document: 361 U.S. 107 80 S.Ct. 173 4 L.Ed.2d 142 Daniel J. SENTILLES, Petitioner,v.INTER-CARIBBEAN SHIPPING CORP. No. 6. Argued Oct. 19, 1959. Decided Nov. 23, Mr. Milton Kelner, Miami, Fla., for petitioner. Robert Beckham, respondent. Justice BRENNAN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The petitioner brought this suit against respondent to recover damages sustained by him allegedly as a consequence shipboard accident while serving crewmember on respondent's vessel in Carribbean. As encountered heavy sea, was pitched into air and fell back deck, where, upon landing, wave washed considerable distance. Shortly after accident, became quite ill hospitalized treated serious case tuberculosis. liability predicated fault under Jones Act, 41 Stat. 1007, 46 U.S.C.A. § 688, alternatively breach maritime duty furnish seaworthy vessel. petitioner's theory that activated or aggravated previously latent tubercular condition.1 submitted jury District Court, where verdict returned petitioner, judgment entered thereon. In Court Appeals, did not argue could have with reason found it liable but contended solely evidence justify jury's conclusion caused illness followed it. Appeals agreed contention reversed, 5 Cir., 256 F.2d 156. We granted certiorari petition which asserted had applied an improper standard reviewing medical examining rendered verdict. 359 923, 79 604, 3 627. 2 There (whose history active one) been examined several times his regular physician year preceding recently two months before it, no appearance tuberculosis being then noted. During acute subsequent specialist reexamined X-ray pictures taken years concluded they fact reveal pulmonary lesion, at first involving 'small scarred inactive area.' 'In retrospect,' felt lesion tubercular. response hypothetical question effect like aggravation activation pre-existing, dormant condition, gave 'acute dissemination tuberculosis' might be accident. Another specialist, who during hospitalization posited trauma pre-existing diabetic condition most likely causes tuberculosis, though he able state 'which is more responsible instance.' expert, personally when questioned hypothetically, 'probably condition,' would say definitely: 'We don't ever select one item cause any particular aggravation.' power draw inference evident so shortly impaired failure witness testify cause. Neither can lack unanimity respective likelihood potential aggravation, other existed were conclusively negated proofs. matter does turn use form words physicians giving their testimony. members jury, witnesses, sworn make legal determination causation.2 They entitled take all circumstances, including testimony consideration. See Sullivan v. Boston Elevated R. Co., 185 Mass. 602, 71 N.E. 90; Miami Coal Co. Luce, 76 Ind.App. 245, 131 824.3 Though involves issue, exception admonition that, 'It function court search record conflicting circumstantial order away from proof gives equal support inconsistent uncertain inferences. focal point judicial review reasonableness drawn jury. * very essence its among inferences conclusions considers reasonable. Courts are free reweigh set aside merely because different judges feel results reasonable.' Tennant Peoria & Pekin Union 321 29, 35, 64 409, 412, 88 L.Ed. 520. proofs here justified illness. Rogers Missouri Pacific 352 500, 77 443, 493. Reversed. WHITTAKER, finding direct expressing actually complained of, concurs. 6 STEWART, concurring. 7 Cases this, I am firmly convinced, do belong To individualized personal injury cases, sole issue sufficiency evidence, seems me only disregard Court's proper function, also deflect energies mass important difficult business properly here. All has elaborated extenso others, there repeating paraphrasing words. Suffice note agree said. See, e.g., 524, 459, 493 (dissenting opinion); Dick New York Life Ins. 437, 447, 921, 927, 935 opinion). 8 Yet our rule, four vote grant certiorari, taken. If rule frustrated, can, presently advised, see escape considering merits, unless considerations appear apprehended time granted. short, score views expressed Harlan 559, 478 Chief Stone's concurring Bailey Central Vermont 319 350, page 358, 63 1062, 1066, 87 1444. 9 Upon independent case, concur result. 10 HARLAN concurs opinion. 11 FRANKFURTER, dissenting. 12 discuss specific facts.' United States Johnston, 268 220, 227, 45 496, 497, 69 925. Thus Holmes, speaking unanimous thirty-five ago, summarized practice abstaining exercising jurisdiction purpose facts weighing relation them. This obviously derived Evarts Act 1891, Congress established intermediate courts appeals great federal litigation enable Nation's ultimate tribunal adequately discharge responsibility wise adjudication cases 'involving principles settlement importance public, distinguished parties,' Layne Bowler Corp. Western Well Works, Inc., 261 387, 393, 43 422, 423, 67 712. Since Taft announced 1923, obvious public demanding attention increased number difficulty. taking turning evaluation consistently adhered to, barring occasional sport Insurance except special class arising Federal Employers' Liability 51 et seq. twin, 688. fluctuating interest necessary Justices granting behalf employers, Frankfurter Landis, Business Supreme (1928), 207—209, employees, disregarded normal practice. 13 oral argument overwhelmingly confirmed what already made clear, kind which, language my Brother Stewart, 'belong Court.' entertain lessen practice, formulated Rule 28 scores dismissed writ even argument, true basis lacking. Even criminal sentences life imprisonment followed. Triplett State Iowa, 357 217, 78 1358, 1361; Joseph Indiana, 117, 720, 673. Again quote supra, 'it we consistent *.' general circumstances unlike type factual situations application Act. Court,' undue exercise discretion. Accordingly, dismiss improvidently Maintenance cure respect claimed; viewed presenting causation problem similar posed claim indemnity damages. For discussion reluctance assign disease, varying concepts causation, seen Small, Gaffing Thing Called Cause: Medico-Legal Conflicts Concept Causation, 31 Tex.L.Rev. 630. last cited moved say: 'Indeed, if saving grace call common sense, justice defeated almost every admitted.' Id., 249, 826.

Category: 7