Legal Document

423 U.S. 3 96 Supreme Court Reporter 167 46 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 DAY & ZIMMERMANN, INC.v.Hawley K. CHALLONER et al. Number 75-245. Nov. 3, 1975. PER CURIAM. 1 Respondents sued petitioner in the District for Eastern of Texas seeking to recover damages death and personal injury resulting from premature explosion a 105-mm. howitzer round Cambodia. Federal jurisdiction was based on diversity citizenship. The held that law strict liability tort governed submitted case jury theory. Appeals Fifth Circuit affirmed judgment favor respondents. 512 Reporter, 2nd 77 (1975). 2 stated were it apply choice-of-law rules, substantive Cambodia, place injury, would certainly control as wrongful death, perhaps claim injury. It declined nevertheless part an earlier decision Lester versus Aetna Life insurance Co., 433 884 (CA5 1970), cert. denied, 402 909, 91 1382, 28 650 (1971), which summarized holding "(w)e refused look Louisiana conflict rule, deciding matter federal choice law, we could not had no interest case, policy at stake." 80 (emphasis original). further supported its grounds rationale applying traditional conflicts rule applied by "is operative under present facts"; "a States, instrumentality created effectuate laws policies States." We believe either misinterpreted our longstanding Klaxon company Stentor Electric Mfg. 313 487, 61 1020, 85 L.Ed. 1477 (1941), or else determined itself longer controlling force such this. are opinion Klaxon, is terms applicable here should have been adhered Appeals. In supra, 496, S.Ct., 1021, this said: 4 "The rules be court Delaware must conform those prevailing Delaware's state courts. Otherwise, accident citizenship constantly disturb equal administration justice coordinate courts sitting side side. See Erie R. Tompkins, (304 64, 74-77, 58 817, 820-822, 82 1188 (1938))." 5 By parity reasoning, conflict-of-laws A free engraft onto exceptions modifications may commend themselves court, but commended State sits. identify follow rule. What will govern when Texas' 6 petition certiorari granted, vacated, remanded proceedings conformity with opinion. 7 so ordered. 8 Mr. Justice DOUGLAS took consideration case. 9 BLACKMUN, concurring. 10 Left my own devices, N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions deny certiorari. Inasmuch, however, chooses emphasize correct certain misapprehensions Appeals' vacate court's judgment, merely point out that, read Court's per curiam opinion, remand determine flatly Texas. This means me foreclosed concluding, if finds proper do circumstances liability. If proves result, perceive violation any principle (1941). make observation assure least view, today's does necessarily compel determination only Cambodia applicable.

Classification Label: 7