Legal Document

513 U.S. 527115 S.Ct. 1043130 L.Ed.2d 1024 JEROME B. GRUBART, INC., Petitioner,v.GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK COMPANY et al. CITY OF CHICAGO, Petitioner, v. GREAT Nos. 93-762, 93-1094. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Oct. 12, 1994. Decided Feb. 22, 1995. Syllabus * After Chicago River flooded a freight tunnel under river and basements numerous buildings, petitioner corporation other victims brought tort actions in state court against respondent Great Lakes Dredge Dock Co. Chicago. They claimed that course driving piles from barge into bed months earlier, had negligently weakened tunnel, which been improperly maintained by city. then filed this action, invoking federal admiralty jurisdiction seeking, inter alia, protection Limitation Vessel Owner's Liability Act. That Act would permit to decide whether committed and, if so, limit its liability value barges tug involved was without privity or knowledge vessels' owner. The District dismissed suit for lack jurisdiction, but Appeals reversed. Held: has over Lakes's suit. Pp. __. (a) A party seeking invoke such claim must satisfy conditions both location connection with maritime activity. In applying test, determine occurred on navigable water injury suffered land caused vessel water. 46 U.S.C.App. § 740. first assess "general features type incident involved" "a potentially disruptive impact commerce." Sisson Ruby, 497 358, 363, 364, n. 2, 110 2892, 2896, 2896 111 292. If character activity giving rise shows substantial relationship traditional Id., at 365, S.Ct., 2897, 2897-2898, 2. 3-6. (b) test is readily satisfied here. alleged river, petitioners do not seriously dispute "vessel" purposes. There no need justification imposing an additional jurisdictional requirement damage done be close time space it. nonremoteness supported Extension Admiralty Jurisdiction Act's language, phrase "caused by" used indicates proper standard proximate cause. Gutierrez Waterman S.S. Corp., 373 206, 210, 83 1185, 1188, 10 297, distinguished. 6-10. (c) also incident's features" may described as underwater structure. little question kind Damaging structure could lead disruption itself actually happened here, restrictions navigational use during repairs. incident—repair maintenance work waterway performed vessel—shows Even assertion city's failure properly maintain operate system cause flood does take case out admiralty. Under Sisson, when least one tortfeasor engaging substantially related have incident. merit argument should characterized hypergeneralized level, "repair maintenance," eliminate any hint connection, being given too expansive reading. 10-16. (d) are theoretical, well practical, reasons reject proposed multifactor where most victims, tortfeasors, based. tests directed same objectives invoked support elimination rationale Act, Congress already made judgment land-based victim subject jurisdiction; surely joint supposedly more favorable treatment. Moreover, contrary position, exercise result automatic displacement law. hard apply, jettisoning relative predictability open-ended rough-and-tumble factors, inviting complex trial virtually inevitable appeal. 16-21. 3 F.3d 225 (CA 7 1993), affirmed. SOUTER, J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., O'CONNOR, KENNEDY, GINSBURG, JJ., joined. concurring opinion. THOMAS, judgment, SCALIA, STEVENS BREYER, took part decision case. Ben Barnow, No. 93-762. Lawrence Rosenthal, John G. Roberts, Jr., respondents. Justice SOUTER Court. 1 On April 13, 1992, poured running thence buildings downtown Loop. Allegedly, flooding resulted events several Company crane, sitting next bridge, drive above tunnel. issue before us extent liability. We hold within jurisdiction. 2 complaint, together affidavits objection, alleges following facts. 1990, bid contract city replace wooden pilings clustered around piers bridges spanning River, meaning Daniel Ball, Wall. 557, 563, 19 L.Ed. 999 (1871). See Escanaba Chicago, 107 678, 683, 185, 188-189, 27 442 (1883). (called dolphins) keep ships bumping so protect both. winning contract, carried two towed tug. One pilings; crane pulled old helped new ones. August September 1991, replaced projecting supporting Kinzie Street Bridge. towing crane-carrying position near piers, employees secured spuds, long metal legs project down anchor workers pull up pilings, stow them barge, piers. About seven later, eddy formed bridge collapsing walls ceiling opened water, flowed through 4 flood, many claiming replacing structure, (its owner) maintained. lawsuit Count I complaint seeks (Limitation Act), 181 seq., statute would, effect, vessels (the barges) "without knowledge" owner, 183(a). Counts II III ask indemnity contribution resulting loss Lakes. 5 city, joined Jerome Grubart, Inc., state-court plaintiffs, motion dismiss Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 12(b)(1). granted motion, Seventh Circuit reversed, (1993), we certiorari, 510 ----, 114 1047, 127 370 (1994). now affirm. 6 parties Circuit's conclusion (indemnity contribution) hinges claim. F.3d, 231, 9; see 28 U.S.C. 1367 (1988 ed., Supp. V) (supplemental jurisdiction); Fed.Rules 14(a) (impleader third parties). Thus, simply claims faulty replacement damage. A. court's authority hear cases flows initially Constitution, "extend[s]" judicial power "to all Cases Jurisdiction." Const., Art. III, embodied district courts "original . [a]ny civil ." 1333(1). 8 asked only waters. it did, followed; did not, exist. See, e.g., Thomas Lane, 23 F.Cas. 957, 960 (No. 13902) (CC Me. 1813) (Story, Circuit). This ostensibly simple locality complicated rule "wholly" sustained waters Plymouth, 20, 34, 18 125 (1866) (no action owner warehouse destroyed fire started board ship docked nearby). lacked over, say, ship's collision pier insofar injured pier, law treated extension land. Martin West, 222 191, 197, 32 42, 43, 56 159 (1911); Cleveland T. V.R. Co., 208 316, 319, 414, 415, 52 508 (1908). 9 latter changed 1948, however, enacted 62 Stat. 496. provided "[t]he shall extend include injury, person property, notwithstanding consummated land." 11 purpose end concern sometimes confusing line between investing "all cases" even 209-210, 1187-1188, 297 (1963); Executive Jet Aviation, Inc. City Cleveland, 409 249, 260, 93 493, 500-501, 34 454 (1972). 12 congressional modification gather odd admiralty, qualified again three decisions aimed keeping different class out. case, Jet, supra, arose wreck airplane collided flock birds just after take-off domestic flight fell Lake Erie. held consider claims. wrote purely mechanical application test" always "sensible" "consonant purposes law," id., 261, 501, (for example) literal universal require adjudicate disputes colliding swimmers, 255, 498. "claims arising accidents cognizable admiralty" despite harm, unless "the wrong bear[s] significant activity." 268, 504. 13 second decision, Foremost Ins. Richardson, 457 668, 102 2654, 73 300 (1982), dealt pleasure boats estuary. 677, 2659, though existed wrong" activity," 674, 2658. conceded themselves commerce lying heart basic work, 674-675, 2658-2659, nonetheless found necessary 14 potential [upon commerce] waters, coupled holds navigation. 675, 15 recent trilogy, 292 (1990), fire, defective washer/dryer aboard boat marina, burned boat, nearby, marina itself. 367, 2898. elaborated enquiry exemplified focusing points noted, first, causing burning sort "likely disrupt [maritime] commercial U.S., 2896. Second, "substantial relationship" "traditional activity" arose, storage waters." 365-367, 2897-2898. 16 then, pursuant 1333(1) raises issues. court, "assess general involved," commerce," character" "activity incident" apply facts B 17 is, course, satisfied. weakening while drove removed ones presumably place lifted sat stationed River. sat, "navigable States." 188-189. tort, It "by vessel." fastened bottom platform times question, transportation. 229. Petitioners here each below purposes, "vessel." fact pile-driving makes difference ordinarily treats "appurtenance" attached Victory Carriers, Law, 404 202, 210-211, 92 418, 424-425, 30 383 (1971); Gutierrez, 1187-1188.1 Because injuries Grubart were seem end, "notwithstanding [have been] Both limitations apparent text. While they concede refers injury," argue "all" mean literally every matter how great distance vessel's tortious harm. contend that, it: occur "reasonably contemporaneously" negligent conduct "farther than reach vessel, appurtenances cargo." For authority, point Court's statement present "impact" "is felt ashore remote wrongful act." 1188.2 20 demerits lie want textual rule, disregard less stringent familiar proximity condition tied language statute. uses by," read requiring what traditionally called "proximate causation." Pryor American President Lines, 520 F.2d 974, 979 (CA4 1975), cert. denied, 423 1055, 96 787, 644 (1976); Adams Harris County, 452 994, 996-997 (CA5 1971), 406 968, 2414, 667 classic notion normally eliminates bizarre, cf. Palsgraf Long Island R. 248 N.Y. 339, 162 N.E. 99 (1928), obviate complication further temporal spatial limitations. Nor reliance causation inconsistent nonremote announce special distinguish own having slipped beans spilling cargo containers unloaded ship) "[v]arious far-fetched hypotheticals," someone slipping continue leak shipped Puerto Rico Denver. 1188. 424-425. 21 responds saying practical matter, limiting principle undesirably force investigate merits outset determined jurisdiction.3 argument, assumes truth allegations finality threshold litigation, assumption erroneous. Normal practice permits establish means nonfrivolous elements, see, Bray Alexandria Women's Health Clinic, 506 113 753, 768, 122 (1993) (slip op., 21); Bell Hood, 327 682-683, 66 773, 776, 90 939 (1946), litigation contested subject-matter occurs comparatively summary procedure judge alone (as distinct element survives objection). 2A J. Moore Lucas, Moore's Federal Practice ¶ 12.07[2.—1] (2d ed. 1994); 5A C. Wright Miller, Procedure 1350 1990). reason why true nature tortfeasor's 2897. justification, hurdle name C 22 turn enquiries, commerce. terms waters," "plainly satisf[ied]" requirement, ibid., because "spread nearby ma[d]e inaccessible vessels" therefore "[c]ertainly" "potentially 362, noted prong went effects, "particular incident," noting focused specific hand turns, description intermediate level possible generality. To speak "fire" differentiate cases; extreme, damaging nothing their tie-up facilities ignored, among things, capacity endanger shipping nearby. rejected extremes instead seen incidents posed fanciful risk shipping. 24 Following So characterized, there As turned beneath itself, App. 33 (eddy leak); happened, situated required Pet. Cert. 93-1094, p. 22a (District remained closed month," "[r]iver traffic ceased, commuter ferries stranded, enter lowered aid repair efforts"). Cf. Pennzoil Producing Offshore Express, 943 1465 1991) (admiralty struck ruptured gas pipeline exploded); Marathon Pipe Line Drilling Rig Rowan/Odessa, 761 229, 233 1985) pipeline, fixed seabed"); Orange Beach Water, Sewer, Fire Protection Authority M/V Alva, 680 1374 (CA11 1982) pipeline). 25 enquiry, look activity, noncommercial, closely rules hand. Navigation clearly falls relationship, Foremost, 2658-2659; storing enough, 2898; whereas flying 270-271, 505-506, swimming, 255-256, 498-499, attenuated. 26 like reasoning, vessel. Described way, similar engaged contracted perform Shea Rev-Lyn Contracting 868 515, 518 (CA1 1989) (bridge barge); Nelson States, 639 469, 472 (CA9 1980) (Kennedy, J.) (repair wave suppressor re New York 61 777 (CA2 1932) (pile building dock); P. Sanford Ross, 196 F. 921, 923-924 (EDNY 1912) water's edge), rev'd grounds, 204 1913); V-14813, 65 789, 790 1933) ("[t]here holding dredge, pile driver, employed jurisdiction"); Flatboat, 84 200 (SD Ala.1897) erection bulkheads), aff'd sub nom. Southern Log Cart Supply Lawrence, 86 907 1898). argues, contrary, maintaining operating runs river. Brief 48-49. asserted victims' considered, submits, resemble misreads activities manufacturer, who possibly tortfeasor, whose hardly maritime; supplied Likewise, said "[b]ecause 'wrong' involves operation believe sufficient nexus sustain By using word "involves," clear arguably causes originated tortfeasor: putative tortfeasors allegedly will "involve" meet prong. identify including acts Lakes, nevertheless attach. Sisson's require, effect asserts, complete identity two. 29 might get characterizing "activity" generality, perhaps or, "pile bridge." correct can sufficiently high generality bar But suggest hyper-generalization ought convert vehicle eliminating Although inevitably some play joints selecting right imprecision excuse whimsy. turns comparison case; merely frustrated aspect consideration.4 considered maritime-related, "every involving waters" jurisdiction." 6. fatal criticism. radical alteration criteria cases, followed lower rejecting rigid airplane, far anything maritime. 268-274, 504-506; Peytavin Government Employees 453 1121, 1127 1972) personal motorist rear-ended waiting ferry floating pontoon serving ferry's landing); Chapman Grosse Pointe Farms, 385 962 (CA6 1967) swimmer himself diving off shallow water). stressed navigation berthing boats, shore, strong interest law, fours business courts. 2658-2659. agree these say scope what, show so.5 31 Perhaps recognizing difficulty escaping change "involving based injuries," adopt totality circumstances reflects protecting weighty justify shifting otherwise admiralty." 32. Fifth applied somewhat "four-factor looking functions roles parties; types vehicles instrumentalities involved; injury; concepts role law." Kelly Smith, 485 520, 525 1973); Molett Penrod 826 1419, 1426 1987) (adding factors: "impact event commerce"; desirability uniform national matters"; 'expertise' case"), denied Columbus-McKinnon, Gearench, 493 1003, 558 (1989). disapproved four-factor seven-factor "where relevant entities implicitly left open one, 3, 2897 ("Different issues raised not"). argues good Since "protection decision," improve exactly rationale. multiple factor minimize, eliminate, awkward possibility procedures govern disadvantage admiralty's 677-686, 2659-2664 (Powell, dissenting). arguments frivolous, persuade. worth recalling produces threat lacking probably exercise, If, satisfied, somehow becomes acute happen involved. Certainly think necessarily diluted kept hands primitive test. 35 Of (or one) appear mould common-law Other things equal, evident supposed anomaly worse second. equal. above, Surely 36 objections position. Contrary suggests, 10, 14-15, 25-26, 30, "[w]ith comes substantive East Corp. Transamerica DeLaval 476 858, 864, 106 2295, 2298-2299, 865 (1986). But, characterize apparently does, "federal 15, 37 destructive oversimplification highly intricate interplay National regulation yield needs finds inroads harmonious system. limitation still leaves wide scope." Romero International Terminal Operating 358 354, 373, 79 468, 480-481, 368 (1959) (footnote omitted). 38 864-865, 2298-2299 ("Drawn sources, amalgam rules, modifications those newly created rules" omitted)). proposal synchronize determining applicable discard fundamental feature Dredging 981, 987, 285 (1994); S. Friedell, Benedict 112 7-49 (7th 1994).6 39 Finally, top going premises added powerful consequences adopting existing tempers requirements harm customary seeing norm originates treating departure exception. better worse, thus carved approximate shape way lawyers understand reasonably well. approach, relatively easy, four- 40 Consider, example, factors beginning purported source (state federal) doing important Romero, unable federal-question-jurisdiction statute, 1331. 375-376, 481-482 ("sound policy encourage situation necessitates constant adjudication boundaries competence"). applies strongly 1333, torts quite uncomplicated. 41 Reasons practice, theory call benefit action. 42 Accordingly, conclude correctly respondent's 43 Affirmed. 44 BREYER 45 concurring. concur faced whom actors, proximately incident, "involves" involvement other, nonmaritime affect inquiry party. Ante, particular party, Rather, engage usual supplemental impleader inquiries. V); 14; ante, find contrary. djQ SCALIA joins, judgment. 47 majority's grants 1992. write separately cannot Instead continuing our unquestioning allegiance multi-factor approach restore States. exists. clear, bright-line until recently, ensures judges litigants waste resources 48 requires redefine once due ambiguous balancing revisit years defects current approach. faults clearest, destructive, area Vague obscure beyond constitutional statutory limits, discourage hearing them. Such judges' litigants' spent merits, demonstrates. especially unfortunate almost 9th 10th verses Genesis: "And God said, Let heaven gathered unto place, let dry appear: so. And Earth; gathering he Seas: saw good." Holy Bible, Genesis 1:9-10 (King James Version). 49 recently 1972, experienced triggered thanks "situs rule." 36, (1866), articulated situs thus: "[e]very species however occurring, upon seas cognizance." simple, Story pronounced riding circuit, Me.1813), included effects 496, 50 simplicity marred modern tested ever unusual (1972), plane crash Erie "bear What subsequent failed respect, Jet's aircraft. said: 51 "One exclusive serious problems aviation. [W]e concluded predicate aviation cases." 501 (emphasis added). Our identification "significant wholly context discussion difficulties aircraft fact, recognized extensive criticism strict "for torts, worked satisfactorily." 254, 497. read, applies, added. 53 modified retained comfortably main court. Nonetheless, clarity met demise (1982). commentators argued fall implicate Stolz, Pleasure Boating Admiralty: Sea, Calif.L.Rev. 661 (1963). resolved Instead, responding limited tort's accident's "potential impact" prompted 54 overextended reserved torts. "understood resting ground involve thought leading scholars field." 369-370, 2899 (opinion judgment). seek alter waterborne vessels. converted exception rule. addition examining situs, bore commerce, accident 673-675, 2657-2659. adopted approaches sought Foremost's 4, (citing cases). 55 affirmed inherent vagueness washer-dryer unit yacht. yacht damaged marina. finding if: (1) (2) "incident" poses hazard (3) bears 362-364, 2895-2897. waterways. question—did waters—had become complicated, analysis. confusion Foremost-Sisson post-Sisson majority Faced task Fourth, Fifth, Ninth Circuits reverted Sisson. Price Price, 929 131, 135-136 1991); Coats 877, 885-886 1993); Delta Country Ventures, Magana, 986 1260, 1263 1993). typical: nodding entire attention totality-of-the-circumstances includes parties" 32a. considerations inquiry. dangers obvious. An undefined devote introduces undesirable uncertainty affairs private actors—even common activities—who predict 57 admirable attempt clarify obscures, am afraid analysis mitigate commerce" __, resort "an generality" " 'general features' ____. explain origins "levels generality," nor, my knowledge, employ concept areas residency amount controversy diversity presence question. "intermediate" appropriate. unclear expect uniformly cases. obvious 58 levels Sisson—whether decides waterway. rightly argue, very driving. tell ambiguities intrinsic response acknowledges Sisson: "Although whimsy." provide much guidance generality; instead, "whimsy." When issues, prefer clearer demanded respect Indeed, "play joints" "imprecision" "inevitable" easily avoided returning prevailed Foremost. effort create elegant, disrupted 59 owe stare decisis. shown deviated tradition jurisprudence. More importantly, produce greater exchange departing century undisturbed practice. discussed produced disarray ambiguity grounds enough unworkable prior decision. 60 follow outset. exists 1333(1), won approval Justices 2901 (SCALIA, White, SCALIA's concurrence "normal activities" component, "[i]t straightforward jettison 'traditional activity' entirely." 374, 2902. chosen which, simplicity, results arrived "might leave few actions," freakish rarely. event, needed resolve "will saved unnecessary decide" 374-375, 2901-2902. ably demonstrates, "spud barge" land, brings disagree reaches pursues efficiency demand wasteful questions. departed precedent, unworkable, constitutes prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber 321, 337, 282, 287, 499. Margin Sea-Land Services, 812 973, 975 1987), appurtenance defective. Petitioner pp. 34-35 (Grubart Brief). Margin, hold. hatch cover dangerously welder working dock, cover, appurtenance, plaintiff allege "vessel negligence his injury." F.2d, 977. intended appurtenances, operated negligently, sense. 1188 ("There distinction personnel ."). At oral counsel undercut conceding moorings, drifted dam, breach dam surrounding territory. Tr. Oral Arg. 17. bases about reading Crowell Benson, 54-56, 285, 293-295, 76 598 (1932), according Longshoremen's Harbor Worker's Compensation constitutionally employee absent construction finding, actual "would raise questions." 18-19 (City interpretation correct, dispositive Constitutional arise defers final determination depends skirmish. standing context, Constitution offer proof [of showing injury] order Gwaltney Smithfield, Ltd. Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 484 49, 66, 108 376, 386, 98 306 (1987). ourselves company amici. Conference State Legislatures Amici Curiae 18-19, (suggesting challenge"). proposes define underground connected Loop buildings." 49-50. consideration entirely. (like choice supreme text) head, weed arbitrary vessel-related satisfies alternative 740, provides independent basis complaint. content raising another assumptions, go us. primary focus unquestionably 2658, (1982); 2896-2897, premise questioned, Casto, Origins Age Privateers, Smugglers, Pirates, Am.J.Legal Hist. 117 (1993). However be, never 19. Granted, whatever precise purpose, likely uniformity subsidiary goal conducive furthering purpose. Currie, Federalism "The Devil's Own Mess," 1960 S.Ct.Rev. 158, 163 ("[A] establishment 1789" unwilling fostering stemming, local bias presupposition Federalist 80, 538 (J. Cooke 1961) (A. Hamilton) ("maritime commonly rights foreigners"); M. Farrand, Records Convention 1787, 124 46; generally D. Robertson, 95-103 (1970). all, Congress's concern, appeal tribunal federal-question 1875, Articles Federation prize capture).

Classification Label: 8