Legal Document

347 U.S. 507 74 Supreme Court Reporter 695 98 L.Ed. 898 UNITED STATESv.GILMAN. Number 449. Argued March 10, 11, 1954. Decided May 17, Mr. Paul Atlantic Sweeney, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. William C. Wetherbee, Los Angeles, Cal., respondent. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The single question in case is whether United States may recover indemnity from one its employees after it has been held liable under Federal Tort Claims Act,1 60 Statutes-at-Large 842, 28 Code KF62 §§ 1346, 2671 et seq., Annotated KF65 U5 negligence employee. 2 Respondent, an employee States, had a collision with car Darnell, while respondent was driving government automobile. Darnell sued Act. filed third-party complaint against respondent, asking that if should be to have District found Darnell's injuries were caused solely by acting within scope his employment. It entered judgment $5,500 and over same amount. Appeals reversed divided vote. 206 Reporter, 2nd Series 846. here on writ certiorari. 346 914, 275. 3 Petitioner's argument right indemnity, though not expressly granted Act, implied. A private employer, said, common-law whose made employer liable. imposing liability negligent acts employees, placed general position employer. Therefore, comparable which employers have. versus Yellow Cab Co., 340 543, 71 399, 95 523, said show way. For there we could as defendant contributions claimed joint tort-feasor, no specific provision Act provided such suits. 4 In case, however, dealing established type liability, broad sweep claims agreed stand Since claim class covered waiver sovereign immunity, refused restrict enforcement separate actions contribution. 5 present quite different. We deal but employees. does touch except respect: § 2676, makes 'a complete bar' any action claimant And see 2672. 6 relations between presented myriad problems Congress years dealt. Tenure, retirement, discharge, veterans' preferences, responsibility some other employees—these are few aspects problem legislative. Government employment gives rise policy questions great import, both Executive Legislative Branches. On side considerable import. Discipline employee, exactions him, merits or demerits he suffer, rate promotion consequence those who make service their career. sue form discipline. Perhaps suits would instituted rule petitioner asks mostly brought only when carried insurance. But decision fashion limitations, since utterly independent underwriting liability. Moreover, haul court require him find lawyer, face employer's charge, submit ordeal trial. time out trial preparation, plus out-of-pocket expenses, might well impose heavier financial burden than loss seniority demotion rank. When sues takes court, lays heavy hand discipline onerous perhaps measure take, discharge itself. 7 morale fiscal policy. way knowing what impact asked create be. do know serious aspects—considerations pertain ability efficiency, morale. These all important Branch. also raises part reimbursement losses suffers result immunity. suffered so required carry burden. cost efficiency too high price pay now us write into 8 analogous before Standard Oil 332 301, 67 1604, 91 2067, where owner driver truck injury soldier Army claiming damages soldier's during period disability. extend per quod servitium amisit government-soldier relation. declined stating involved federal affairs Congress, Court, formulate 9 reasons following course even more compelling. Here complex agencies staffs involved. asserted, product law passed, matter taken position. presents spoken.2 selection most advantageous whole involves host considerations must weighed appraised. That function appropriately laws, rather interpret them. 10 Affirmed. provides pertinent follows: Sec. 1346. (b) 'Subject provisions chapter 171 this title, district courts, together Territory Alaska, Canal Zone Virgin Islands, shall exclusive jurisdiction civil money damages, accruing January 1, 1945, property, personal death wrongful act omission office employment, circumstances person, accordance place occurred.' 2674. 'The liable, respecting title relating tort claims, manner extent individual like circumstances, interest prior punitive damages. * *' 2676. section 1346(b) constitute bar claimant, reason subject matter, gave claim.' Though legislative history helpful issue, indications point toward reach. recently extensive review Dalehite 15, 24—30, 73 956, 962, 965, 97 1427. As explained, much relevant appears Seventy-seventh Seventy-ninth enacted it. bill took substantially finally Seventh-ninth Congress. At hearings House Judiciary Committee arose. Francis M. Shea, then Assistant Attorney General, explained Government's discussing administrative settlement small (which 2672, 2672), Shea questioned concerning clause acceptance award constitutes release States. 2672 effect See note supra. Shea's statements therefore relevance issue case. 'Mr. Springer. & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions direct your attention, line 19. Why you provide constituting employee? Is intention provision, ultimate purpose it? Shea. Government, through Department Justice, constantly being called heads various go defend, will say, person mail suit operating duties. Allegations usually made. found, long experience, unless willing defend persons very real attack upon services. Most these large damage suits, they generally secure kind insurance himself. 'If satisfied account carrying car, should, our judgment, end After obtained satisfaction either award, able turn around truck. If truck, thus continued substantial bear conducting defense post-office drivers McLaughlin. Have considered practice followed corporations railway companies respect joined defendants actions? think ordinarily happens accident big corporation jointly two, corporation, corporation's remedy fire often. Ordinarily cover risks insurance, paid think. Chairman. directing remarks where, injured files satisfies claim, anybody? right. What arrangement guilty gross results? requirement respond injury, event negligence? Not Under No subrogation set up? employee.' Hearings H.R. 5373 6463, 77th Cong., 2d Sess., Pages 9—10. S.Rep. 1196, Page 5.

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