Legal Document

417 U.S. 106 94 Supreme Court Reporter 2174 40 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 694 COOPER STEVEDORING COMPANY, INC., Petitioner,v.FRITZ KOPKE, et al. Number 73—726. Argued April 15, 16, 1974. Decided May 28, Syllabus A longshoreman was injured when, while loading a vessel owned by one respondent and time chartered to the other (hereinafter collectively Vessel), he stepped into concealed gap between crates which had previously been loaded petitioner. The then sued Vessel, filed third-party complaint against District found both Vessel petitioner negligent, divided liability equally. On petitioner's appeal, of Appeals affirmed. Held: award contribution joint tortfeasors in noncollision maritime case proper under circumstances. facts, no countervailing considerations detract from well-established rule allowing tortfeasors, since where longshoreman, not being an employee petitioner, could have proceeded either or both, thus elected make bear its share damages, there is reason why should be accorded same right. Halcyon Lines versus Haenn Ship Ceiling & Refitting Corp., 342 282, 72 277, 96 L.Ed. 318, distinguished. Pp. 110—115. Sessions Fritz Kopke, Inc., 5 Cir., 479 Federal Reporter, 2nd 1041, Joseph D. Cheavens, Houston, Tex., for Dixie Smith, respondents. Mr. Justice MARSHALL delivered opinion Court. 1 This concerns extent may obtained action personal injuries. S.S. Karina, operated charter Alcoa Steamship Co., at Mobile, Alabama, with palletized cargo Cooper Stevedoring company Port Houston longshoremen employed Mid-Gulf Stevedores, began load sacked cargo. long-shoremen use top tier creates as floor on walk stow One these longshoremen, Troy Sessions, his back when large piece corrugated paper. 2 brought suit Kopke Vessel) seeking recover damages injuries.1 alleging that if any unseaworthy condition result negligence than own, such resulted conduct employees. also similar Mid-Gulf. 3 Prior trial, apparently entered agreement would indemnify recovery might obtain. Pursuant this agreement, dismissed defendant MidGulf's attorneys were substituted counsel Vessel.2 4 went after Court, sat without jury, orally announced findings fact conclusions law. court Vessel's failure adequate arrangements assure move leave spaces course trip Mobile put some type dunnage unsafe place work condition. negligent stowing manner subsequent ports safely them. Finding it difficult evidence 'evaluate exactly responsibility shipowner hand other,' equally Cooper.3 Judgment $38,679.90 $19,339.95 Cooper. appealed,4 asserting Court's direct conflict decisions 318 (1952), Atlantic Coast Line R. Erie Lackawanna 406 340, 92 1550, 32 110 (1972). rejected contention, relying prior Fifth Second Circuits effect apparent prohibition cases inapplicable tortfeasor whom sought immune tort statute. See Horton Horton, Incorporated T/S Judge E. Dyer, 428 1131 (CA5 1970), cert. denied, 400 993, 91 461, 27 441 (1971); Watz Zapata Off-Shore 431 100 1970); In re Seaboard Shipping 449 132 (CA2 1971), 949, 2038, 337 principle applicable here addition suing directly latter employer and, therefore, shielded limited Longshoremen's Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, 33 Code KF62 § 905, 1041 1973). We granted certiorari consider question, 414 1127, 864, 38 752 (1974), now affirm. 6 Where two vessels collide due fault each, admiralty doctrine ancient lineage provides mutual wrongdoers shall sustained each. North Star, 17, 41, (1882), Bradley traced Laws Ole ron date 12th century, roots doubt go much deeper. Even though common law torts right among division has, over years, liberally extended directions deemed just proper. line cases, example, expanded encompass only damage involved collision, but injuries property caused innocent third parties well. See, e.g., Washington, 9 Wall. 513, 19 787 (1870); 695, 23 763 (1876); Atlas, 93 302, 863 Chattahoochee, 173 540, 491, 43 801 (1899). generally Max Morris, 137 1, 8—11, 11 29, 30—32, 34 586 (1890). has recognized application circumstances involving collision vessels, ship strikes pier owner, see Atlee Packet 21 389, 22 619 (1875), goes aground canal company, White Oak Transp. Boston, Cape New York Canal 258 341, 42 338, 66 649 (1922). supra, U.S., 13—14, S.Ct., 32—33. Indeed, fair say broad underlying rationales. interests safety dictate 'are fault, they equally, them more careful.' 697. And 'more equal distribution justice' can best achieved ameliorating common-law permits plaintiff force entire loss, blame. 14, 32. 7 Despite occasional breadth dictum, our read historical backdrop mind. Viewed perspective, taking account fectual presented case, we think stands absolute bar urged upon us petitioner.5 8 Halcyon, repair making repairs Halcyon's ship. He unseaworthiness. Since covered §§ 901—950, prohibited Haenn. Nevertheless impleaded judgment recovered employee. resolve arisen circuits whether 283—284, n. 3, 278—279. held employer's limitation vis-a -vis Act barred contribution. American Mutual Liability Insurance Matthews, 182 322 1950). Another Circuit did contribution, Rothschild international 183 181 (CA9 1950), yet Circuit, reviewed permitted amount compelled pay claim compensation Act. 187 403 (CA3 1951). Before agreed 'limiting those uncertain amounts recoverable impractical undesirable.' 284, 279. took cognizance trade-off abrogation, favor employee, doctrines contributory assumption risk. Id., 285—286, 279—280. Confronted possibility workable inconsistent balance struck Congress carriers, employers, employees, their respective insurers, refrained case. 10 These factors decision still force. 1972 amendments re-emphasize Congress' determination employee's exclusive remedy.6 But whatever weight properly factual here. Unlike worker full injury. Had done so, defendants responsible all part damages. negligence, facts then, tortfeasors. Our brief per curiam (1972), fully consistent view. yard brakeman, Erie, working boxcar another railroad. Atlantic, transported carfloat barge Erie. accident allegedly defective footboard handbrake supplying equipment. ground factor causing denied Halcyon. affirmed because initially appeared Courts Appeals' Watz, Seaboard, allowed notwithstanding situations party entitled limitation-of-liability protections After oral argument, however, factually indistinguishable sought, plaintiff's employer, Pennsylvania O'Rourke, 344 334, 73 97 367 (1953), railroad freight car situated navigable waters subject exclusively therefore like 12 Petitioner argues, protection ephemeral since, Jackson Lykes Bros. 386 731, 87 1419, 18 488 (1967), shipowner-employer, unseaworthiness vessel. Reed Yaka, 373 410, 83 1349, 448 (1963). based appliances, compare Osceola, 189 158, 175, 483, 487, 47 760 (1903), Gutierrez Waterman 206, 213, 1185, 1189, 297 (1963), claim. Contribution rests finding concurrent fault. Erie's liability, any, strict words, even Erir accordingly protective mantle Act's provisions. nevertheless seaworthiness theory, sought. Simpson Timber Parks, 390 353 (CA9), 393 858, 89 126, 127 (1968). 13 sum, intended answer question posed present discuss indicates. Rather, proves was, is, good facts. 14 Affirmed. 15 STEWART commenced enactment 901—944 (1970 ed., Supp. II), agree are applicable. Accordingly need decide Sessions' complaints amended. 905(b). suggests cannot already indemnified W. Prosser, Law Torts 48—49 (4th ed. 1971). suggestion faulty construction necessary trial lawsuit, step shoes defend prosecute concluded apportionment reach division, occasion determine relatively apportioned accordance degree parties. Cf. 33, Jacob City, 315 752, 62 854, 86 1166 (1942); Socony-Vacuum Oil 305 424, 59 262, 265 (1939); Arizona Anelich, 298 110, 56 707, 80 1075 (1936). Staring, Division Damages Admiralty Maritime Cases, 45 Calif.L.Rev. 304, 340—344 (1957). cross-appealed, contending indemnity 'conduct precluded failed fulfill primary arrangement placed cargo.' 1042. Weyer-haeuser Nacirema Operating 355 563, 567, 78 438, 440, 491 (1958). file petition writ seek review aspect judgment, lack jurisdiction contention basis Ryan Pan-Atlantic 350 124, 76 232, 133 (1956). lower courts suggests, continued recognize cases. Crain Bros., Wieman Ward 223 256 1955); Moran Towing Corporation M. Gammino Constr. 409 917 (CA1 1969); Coca Cola Tenco Div. Norholt, 333 F.Supp. 946 (SDNY 1971); Dow Chemical Tug Thomas Allen, 349 1354 (ED La 1972); Bilkay Holding Consolidated Iron Metal 330 1313 Independent S. Alkaid, 289 329 1967); Cities Service Refining National Bulk Carriers, 146 418 (SD Tex 1956). Under amendments, bring vessel's will warranty breach thereof. liable 'the indirectly agreements warranties contrary void.' 905(b) II). intent amendment overrule Seas Sieracki, 328 85, 872, 90 1099 (1946), (1956), insofar made circuitously maintain employer. H.R.Rep.No.92—1441, Pages (1972); S.Rep.No.92—1125, 8—12

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