Legal Document

390 U.S. 459 88 Supreme Court Reporter 1140 20 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 30 Agnes M. BANKS, etc., Petitioner,v.CHICAGO GRAIN TRIMMERS ASSOCIATION, Inc., et al. Number 59. Argued Jan. 17, 1968. Decided April 1, Rehearing Denied May 20, See 391 929, 1800. Harold Atlantic Liebenson, Chicago, Ill., for petitioner. Mark Braun, respondents. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered the opinion of Court. 1 On January 30, 1961, shortly after returning home from work, petitioner's husband suffered a fall that resulted in his death on February 12. petitioner behalf herself and her three minor children filed claim against husband's employer,1 respondent, compensation benefits under Longshoremen's Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. 44 Statutes-at-Large 1424, 33 Code KF62 §§ 901—950. The alleged had work-connected injury 26. A hearing was held before Department Labor Deputy Commissioner; June 8, Commissioner rejected failure to establish injury.2 did not bring an action District set aside Commissioner's ruling. § 921. Some time decision, discovered eyewitness by same day as at home. August 22, second respondent—this alleging 30. 2 September began wrongful-death Northern Illinois third party, Norris Grain Company, injury. 3, 1963, jury rendered verdict $30,000 lawsuit. grain company moved new trial, trial judge ruled motion would be granted unless consented remittitur $11,000. 16, without consulting accepted remittitur. Judgment entered for.$19,000. 3 29, commenced. 27, 1964, findings fact award respondent brought aside. affirmed, but Appeals reversed. 369 Federal Reporter, 2nd 344. We certiorari consider questions concerning administration 389 813, 19 63. 4 barred doctrine res judicata. contends is displaced this case operation 22 Act,3 which provides: 5 'Upon own initiative, or upon application any party interest, ground change conditions because mistake determination deputy commissioner, commissioner may, prior one year date last payment compensation, whether order has been issued, rejection claim, review accordance with procedure prescribed (for original claims), such section issue may terminate, continue, reinstate, increase, decrease compensation.' 922. (Emphasis added.) 6 asserts came it challenged 'determination commissioner' namely, finding result argues 'a fact' refers only clerical errors matters employee's disability, employer's liability. Conceding nothing statutory language supports reading, legislative history reveals Congress' limited purpose.4 7 Section first enacted part Act 1927. 1437. At provided 'change conditions.' authorized 'terminate, decrease' award; permitted 'during term award.' 8 From 1930 1933, Employees' Commission, charged administering Act, recommended its annual reports amended permit time. 14th Ann.Rep. Commission (hereafter USECC) 75 (1930); 15th USECC 77 (1931); 16th 49 (1932); 17th 18 (1933).5 In 1934 Congress, while adopting recommendation entirely, responded amending 'any compensation.'6 48 807. Congress added Commissioner: fact.' purpose amendment 'broaden grounds can modify award' allowing modification where makes desirable render justice act.' S.Rep.No.588, 73d Cong., Sess., 3—4 (1934); H.R.Rep.No. 1244, (1934). 9 1934—1936, further apply cases Commissioner. 18th 38 19th (1935); 20th 52 (1936). 1938 'at claim' allow 'award 1167. extend 'the enlarged authority therein (1934 amendment) claim.' S.Rep.No.1988, 75th 3d (1938); H.R.Rep.No.1945, (1938). 10 find support respondent's argument means some determinations others. points out recommendations referred analogous state laws; those dealt period available, review. us no federal, holding statute permitting issues relating disability. absence persuasive reasons contrary, we attribute words their ordinary meaning,7 hold action, few months within scope 22.8 11 raised two other Appeals, court found unnecessary reach. These have fully briefed argued Court; litigation close, dispose them here. 12 permits individual entitled sue damages. 933(a). If suit employer award, rights employee parties are assigned employer. 933(b) (c). If, case, liable extent allowable exceed recovery party. 933(f). 33(g) 13 'If compromise person made * amount less than representative chapter, shall if written approval.' 933(g). 14 acceptance judicially ordered $11,000 third-party lawsuit 'compromise' meaning 33(g). disagree. 15 modeled New York employees' statute. Lawson versus Suwannee Fruit & S.S. Co., 336 198, 205, 69 503, 506, 93 L.Ed. 611; 1190, 69th 1st (1926). Under provision act, compromise. 16 'Plaintiff's stipulation consenting take portion determined being excessive, does recognized word 'compromise." Gallagher Carol Construction 272 N.Y. 127, 129, North Eastern 63, 64. 17 An judicial recoverable damages; agreement among involving mutual concessions. protects accepting too little cause That danger present when damages determined, negotiations between rather independent evaluation judge. Cf. Bell O'Hearne, Cir., 284 777. Finally, attacks there causal connection hours later. must affirmed supported substantial evidence record considered whole. O'Leary Brown-Pacific-Maxon, 340 504, 71 470, 95 483. evidence, agree. While testimony medical expert arguably inconsistent parts testimony, province credit witness' all. judgment Reversed. 21 MARSHALL took consideration decision case. worked Chicago Trimmers Association, Incorporated respondent) trimmer since 1934. trimmers load unload grain-carrying barges vessels. It entirely clear rested insufficient proof nexus 26 occurred also (1) judicata administrative generally, (2) apply, arise first. do reach these contentions. rely either given inapplicable: aware Banks' until more rejected, dispute rejected; irrelevant Candado Stevedoring Corporation Willard, 185 232. question causation obviously fact, cf. 483; cited Flamm Hughes, 329 378, utterly inapposite possibility litigating constitutional law proceeding. 1928 'an adopted will give commissioners continuing reopen usually conferred boards' 'situations continually arising taken correcting error rise controversy employee.' 12th 40 (1928). all just what thus meant recommend. event repeated later reports, sought adopt it. (Compare committee contain specific references (1933). S.Rep.No. 588, (1934).) 'reinstate' well true 1927, 'on conditions,' might distinction disability But amendments, authorizing compensation' even asserted draw language. purposes labeled so long comes section.

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