Legal Document

356 U.S. 252 78 Supreme Court Reporter 687 2 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 737 Leonard L. GRIMES, Petitioner,v.RAYMOND CONCRETE PILE COMPANY et al. Number 456. Argued March 10, 1958. Decided April 7, Mr. Harry Kisloff, Boston, Mass., for the petitioner. Frank Kozol, respondent. PER CURIAM. 1 The petitioner brought this suit in District of Massachusetts. He sought damages under Jones Act, 46 Code KF62 § 688, Annotated KF65 U5 injuries suffered while being transferred at sea a 'Navy life ring' from tug to Texas tower which respondents, his employers, were constructing contract with Government on Georges Bank, 110 miles east Cape Cod. directed verdict respondents close petitioner's case. trial judge indicated view that evidence created fact question issue as whether was crew member, but held exclusive remedy Defense Bases 42 §§ 1651—1654, incorporates remedies Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Compensation 33 901—950, 901—950. Appeals First Circuit Act did not provide member light 1654 providing 'This chapter shall apply respect injury * (3) master or any vessel.' However, affirmed Court's judgment, one dissenting, upon ground sufficient create member. 245 Federal Reporter, 2nd 437. We granted certiorari, 355 867, 123, 73. hold, agreement Appeals, 1654, saves vessel. hold further, however, disagreement presented an evidentiary basis jury's finding Senko versus La Crosse Dredging Corp., 352 370, 77 415, 404; Gianfala Co., 350 879, 76 141, 100 L.Ed. 775; South Chicago Coal & Dock company Bassett, 309 251, 60 544, 84 732. 3 judgment is reversed case remanded further proceedings inconsistent opinion. 4 Reversed. 5 Justice FRANKFURTER opinion that, since course argument demonstrated turns entirely evaluation particular set circumstances, writ certiorari improvidently should be dismissed. 6 HARLAN, whom WHITTAKER joins, dissenting. 7 Even stretching past opinions field their utmost, e.g., 404, N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions cannot agree today's decision. said have erred holding insufficient warrant jury 'member vessel,' thus entitled avail himself seamen provided by Act. (245 440.) See Swanson Marra Bros., Inc., 328 1, 66 869, 90 1045. In it has long been settled crew' who 'naturally primarily board (a vessel) aid navigation,' 260, 548, 732, statement facts suffice show why disagree Court. 8 Respondent had contracted install site seaward Cod 'Texas Tower' triangular metal platform superimposed some feet above surface supports permanently affixed floor ocean three caissons, utilized operate radar warning station. Petitioner, Pile Drivers Union, employed respondent pile driver protect. For several weeks, assisted completion Bethlehem East Boston Yards. When towed sea, about 25 other workmen lived kept condition operating air compressors, generators, pumps expedite installation permanent site, well performing certain functions keep safe tow. After anchored its temporary pilings driven down, performed only pile-driving. 9 Six days after placed position, sent nearby barge, without used solely transport construction materials, prepare transfer such materials tower. They reached barge way tug, worked there six hours, then started return While Navy ring effect tower, injured when collided pilothouse tug. 10 On these am unable see how could permissibly find vessel' sensible meaning phrase. Presumably does consider vessel man-made island, Tower, securely fixed bed before injured. equally untenable possible action—that sporadic work few hours minor incident continuing employment found transform him time accident into seaman barge. If 'standing' requirements are still regarded having real content, can no room debate individual seaman, unless 'seaman' mean nothing more than person working sea. give law Congress written it. 11 It remembered left remediless, redress 1651, 1651.* Indeed, already followed path collected compensation injuries. foreclose recourse

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