Legal Document

346 U.S. 328 74 Supreme Court Reporter 88 98 L.Ed. 5 VORISv.EIKEL et al. Number 20. Argued Oct. 14, 1953. Decided Nov. 9, Mr. Murray L. Schwartz, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. John R. Brown, Houston, Tex., respondents. Chief Justice WARREN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This case involves proper application notice provisions Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, 44 Statutes-at-Large 1424, as amended, 33 United States Code KF62 § 901 seq., Annotated KF65 U5 seq. by a Deputy Commissioner to claim an employee admittedly subject Act. Section 12 Act provides: 2 '(a) Notice injury or death in respect which compensation is payable under this chapter shall be given within thirty days after date such (1) deputy commissioner district occurred (2) employer. 3 '(b) Such writing, contain name address statement time, place, nature, cause death, signed some person on his behalf, any claiming entitled behalf. 4 '(d) Failure give not bar if employer (or agent charge business place where occurred) carrier had knowledge determines that has been prejudiced failure notice, excuses ground satisfactory reason could * *.' 1431, 912, 912. The found favor claimant, awarded compensation. District Southern Texas reversed decision enjoined further payments, 101 F.Supp. 963. Appeals Fifth Circuit affirmed divided court, 200 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 724. granted certiorari review interpretation statute. 345 955, 73 937. 6 facts disclosed record are follows: 7 Earl Porter, was stevedore employed Stevedoring Contracting Company. On December 19, 1949, while he working hold S.S. States, loading equipment struck electric fixture which, breaking, ignited sulphur created flash fire. men fled terror from hold, and, claimant ladder, beam knocked floor, with resulting injuries back shoulder. were permanent. No written until six months accident. 8 Several workmen stevedoring gang saw injured. Others, including Leslie Lovely, foreman worked, him deck immediately injury, unable walk. Some claimant's fellow workers carried nearby automobile. walking foreman, Ernest Wisby, who supervised work both gangs vessel, notified it Wisby drove home. 9 testified asked take doctor, but latter told reach one 7:00 a.m. at 4:15 Claimant crawled into house instead because pain suffering. did return doctor. later morning accident sent wife home order have arrange doctor asleep, two three went Wisby's demanded taken admitted this, denied ever agreed He timekeeper only authority send reported day 10 establishes usual method reporting accidents job similar jobs injured report immediate supervisor. supervisors stevedores foremen. When there job, supervisor sends takes Both instructed charge. 11 man hired directed work, paid wages respondent. other claimed respondent ship time Atlantic Pacific KF135 P2 David, whose regular status gearman. left when baron D. Harris, partner firm, make trip Houston. There nothing indicate, evidence contrary, David representative company known foremen workmen. no headquarters job; change 'gearman' charge; during operation accident, galley talking having coffee timekeeper. It these circumstances contends, courts below held, find required 12(d) 13 conclusion justified. fire matter common even ship. Many witnesses walk thereafter. His knew injury. wages, it, car home, promising, according testimony, same informed Exactly what doing throughout exciting dangerous period does appear record, certainly they sufficiently close aware occurrence. 14 respondents would us unless can demonstrate employer, selects charge, another workman selected without foremen, actual personal requirements satisfied. indefensible. 15 accepted practice party then became duty procure timekeeper, established substantially complied with. received crippling illiterate instruction whom medical assistance recognized followed case, supply due negligence agents, notice. These findings supported record. Under circumstances, we justified finding meaning 12(d). burden agents must fall longshoreman follows routine prescribes. Particularly true totally worked days, suffered painful necessitated removing 16 liberally construed conformance its purpose, way avoids harsh incongruous results. Baltimore & Philadelphia Steamboat versus Norton, 284 408, 414, 52 187, 189, 76 366. empowered hear determine all questions claims 1435, 919(a), 919(a). federal power enjoin awards 'in accordance law'. 1436, 921(b); see Administrative Procedure 60 237, 1001 unsupported substantial considered whole. O'Leary Brown-Pacific-Maxon, 340 504, 71 470, 95 483. Otherwise, reversal rest error law, misconstruction Norton Warner Co., 321 565, 64 747, 931. properly evidence. designed provide included workers, regardless whether given, cannot Because our conclusion, necessary 17 also held refer question permanence determination rate. questions, however, before judgment remanded proceedings deems necessary, inconsistent opinion. 18 Reversed.

Classification Label: 7