Legal Document

365 U.S. 293 81 Supreme Court Reporter 555 5 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 571 Robert Federal KF105 F3 NOLAN, Administrator, et al., Petitioners,v.TRANSOCEAN AIR LINES. Number 107. Argued Jan. 12 and 13, 1961. Decided Feb. 20, Mr. Atlantic Dwyer, New York City, for petitioners. William Judge Junkerman, respondent. PER CURIAM. 1 This action was brought in the District Southern of to recover damages wrongful death Jasper W. Hall, a resident South Carolina, who killed California crash an airplane operated by defendant-respondent Transocean Air Lines. Plaintiffs, petitioners here, are decedent's Carolina-appointed administrator, widow, minor child, sues through her mother, appointed guardian ad litem Court. jurisdiction predicated solely on diversity citizenship—the administrator being resident, widow child Carolina residents, airline corporation with its principal place business California—and substantive basis claim California's Wrongful Death Statute, Cal.Code Civ.Proc. § 377, made applicable choice-of-law rules, see Baldwin versus Powell, 294 N.Y. 130, 61 North Eastern Reporter, 2nd 412, which govern this action. Erie R. company Tompkins, 304 64, 58 817, 82 L.Ed. 1188; Klaxon Stentor Elec. Mfg. Co., 313 487, 1020, 85 1477. The defendant, answer, set up Statute Limitations, subsequently moved summary judgment ground that time-barred. Enforcing one-year limitations period deemed controlling under 340, into operation York's 'borrowing statute,' N.Y.Civil Practice Act, held had run as hence were also barred doctrine, announced Courts Appeals Sears Majors, 104 Cal.App. 60, 285 Pacific KF135 P2 321, Haro P.R. 17 Cal.App.2d 594, 62 441, where one beneficiary is time-barred, all beneficiaries cause 'joint.' 173 F.Supp. 114. There no decision precise point California; court left undisturbed. See Gates Wendling Nathan 27 307, 173; Glavich Industrial Accident Commission, 44 517, 112 774 (dictum). Court's order granting motion affirmed Second Circuit. 276 280. We granted certiorari. 363 836, 80 1614, 4 1723. 2 writ here several points decided adversely below. need discuss only issue, determination disposes case. cases, regarded effect upon running Limitations but not another heirs (the latter limitations—tolling disability), 1930 1936, respectively, 1938, Appeal. In December 1959, California, en banc, Leeper Beltrami, 53 Cal.2d 195, Cal.Rptr. 12, 347 22, which, considered dictum construing 352, stated: 'If joint one, statute would be tolled both. severable parties account his infancy at time arose, it either other parties." Id., pages 208—209, page 22. 3 case handed down after ruling respondent present litigation, shortly before argument Appeals. It attention of, by, court. Inasmuch view expressed therein highest may decisive issue critical petitioners' claims, inasmuch Circuit charged mandatory appellate review case, should decide what relative weights, authoritative sources ascertaining law, accord Sears-Haro line (direct holdings Appeal between 1933) (a considered, relevant general scope 1959). aside remand reconsideration light new factor introduced supra. So ordered. Judgment remanded.

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