Legal Document

340 U.S. 543 71 Supreme Court Reporter 399 95 L.Ed. 523 UNITED STATESv.YELLOW CAB CO. CAPITAL TRANSIT versus STATES. Nos. 218, 204. Argued Dec. 6, 1950. Decided Feb. 26, 1951. Mr. Frank Federal KF105 F3 Roberson, Washington, D.C., for Capital Transit co. James L. Morrison, the United States. Bernard G. Segal, Philadelphia, Pa., Yellow Cab company Justice BURTON delivered opinion of Court. 1 The question presented is whether Tort Claims Act1 empowers a States District to require be impleaded as third-party defendant and answer claim joint tort-feasor contribution if were private individual. For reasons hereinafter stated, we hold that it does. 2 Number 218—Yellow Case. 3 December 1, 1946, in Pennsylvania, four passengers taxicab injured by collision between cab mail truck. Claiming diversity citizenship charging negligence on part driver, they sued his employer, Company, By leave court, charged truck driver made liable all or passengers' claims against company. moved its dismissal ground Act does not authorize suits derivative claims. motions denied. court tried cases together, without jury, rendered judgments totaling $7,800, but favor one-half several amounts awarded passengers. Motions set aside denied Appeals Third Circuit affirmed those denials. Howey Co., 181 Reporter, 2nd Series 967. On petition States, granted certiorari after case, infra, had been decided other way. 809, 63. 4 204—Capital 5 August 4, 1947, Columbia, passenger streetcar was jeep operated soldier acting within scope duties. passenger, negligence, Company Columbia. defendant, soldier's sole contributing cause asking judgment contributable portion any sum which might passenger. In response entered final dismissing complaint failed state upon relief could Stradley 87 F.Supp. 94. Columbia affirmed. U.S.App.D.C. 72, 183 825. It reviewed Cab, supra, disagreed with it. See also, Sappington Barrett, 86 334, 182 102. company, because conflict decisions importance issue application Act. 808, 61. 6 Government Has Consented To Be Sued Contribution. 7 case below concluded under law Pennsylvania individual would contribution,2 through Claims, Act, consented liable, same circumstances, manner extent. while held refrained from deciding whether, separate action, enforce right Accordingly, although did so prejudice maintenance action tort-feasor. at page 77, 830.3 8 now contends, both cases, has claimed tortfeasor, even action. We therefore discuss first. 9 waives Government's immunity suit sweeping language.4 unquestionably an person. insurer whose subrogated his. Aetna Casualty & Surety 338 366, 70 207. here also covers due 10 face amply such consent. Section 410(a) on—'any money only, accruing January 1945, account damage loss property personal injury death caused negligent wrongful act omission employee office employment, circumstances where person, claimant damage, loss, injury, accordance place occurred. Subject provisions this title, shall respect claimants, manner, extent like except interest prior judgment, punitive damages. * *' (Emphasis supplied.) 60 Statutes-at-Large 844, 28 Code KF62 (1946 ed.) § 931(a). 11 words 'any injury' (emphasis supplied) are broad common usage. They art. 421 lists 12 classes waiver apply, listed.5 This subject previously unrecognized type obligation. Through hundreds acts, each Congress many years recognized obligation pay acts employees Government. merely substitutes Courts agency determine validity amount suggests no reason reading into fine distinctions various types 13 Despite language legislative history attempt restrict scope. Most relates periods 2d Session 79th passed. After more than 20 consideration, then new aspect.6 bill became Title IV Legislative Reorganization Bill 1946 moment when overwhelming purpose make changes procedure enable devote time major public issues.7 reports session omitted previous discussions tended bill. proceedings emphasized benefits derived relieving pressure Recognizing clearly defined breadth whole, general trend toward increasing sovereign suit, inconsistent whittle down refinements.8 14 Of course there collect tort-feasors. should able federal only impleading defendant. Moore's Practice (2d ed. 1948) 507, et seq. fair work ways. However, interpreted urged Government, mean party recovered sue latter's contributory share damages (local substantive permitting). hand, tort-feasor, (despite local favoring liability) Presumably, relegated relief. Such result read clearer statement appears here. 15 find, therefore, these cases—at least There remains may Impleaded Third-Party Defendant Action Contribution Due Joint Tort-Feasor. 16 contends that, carries consent carry meet claim. 17 find nothing nature rights obligations tort-feasors procedural distinction, nor requirement. contrary, expressly makes Rules Civil Procedure applicable,9 Rule provides practice.10 18 brings instant principle approved 383, 207, 216: 19 'In argument before number Appeals, relied doctrine statutes waiving must strictly construed. think congressional attitude passing accurately reflected Judge Cardozo's Anderson John Hayes Construction 243 N.Y. 140, 147, 153 Northeastern KF135 N59 28, 29—30: 'The exemption involves hardship enough, withheld. add rigor refinement construction, announced." Once have not, limit deny sought As applied State New York, Cardozo said apt here: 'No sensible can imagined why state, having sued, thus paralyze remedy.' Const. 29. 'A sense justice brought progressive relaxation enactments rule. representative governments ameliorate inequalities necessities will permit, prerogatives government yield needs citizen. When authority given, liberally construed.' Shaw, 309 495, 501, 659, 661, 84 888. 21 difficult problems arise exist cases. example, requires jury and, insisted Seventh Amendment Constitution preserves individuals their trial court. argues sufficiently specific permit two different modes case. 22 difficulties insurmountable.11 If, demanded decision nonjury issues handled comparable used equitable alone.12 If special demonstrated inadvisability, first instance, required denied.13 later stage, situation called separation claims, ordered trial. Fed.Rules Civ.Proc., 42(b). availability intended facilitate, preclude, multiple otherwise triable proceedings. possibility sufficient limiting preclude arising practice. develops unanticipated complications, them desire fit needs. 23 conclude proceeding 24 reversed remanded conformity opinion. 25 26 204, remanded. 27 BLACK DOUGLAS dissent. 812, 842—847, §§ 921—946. Under revision Judicial Code, effective September 1948, 62 869 seq., appear, slight modifications, ed., Supp. III) 1291, 1346(b), 1402(b), 1504, 2110, 2401(b), 2402, 2411, 2412 2671 2680, Annotated KF65 U5 2412, 2671—2680. Pa.Laws 1939, 376; Purdon's Pa.Stat.Ann. Tit. 12, 2081; see Goldman Mitchell-Fletcher 292 Pa. 354, 141 Atlantic 231; Fisher Diehl, 156 Pa.Super. 476, 482, 40 912, 916. Knell Feltman, 85 22, 174 662; George's Radio 75 187, 126 219. No raised applicability respective liability determined waived. went further. stated found 'nothing letter statute constituting actions tort.' 95. 'Sec. 410. (a) district wherein plaintiff resident complained occurred sitting exclusive jurisdiction hear, determine, render Costs allowed courts successful litigant, costs include attorneys' fees. 843—844, A proviso included section 61 722, 2, material Effective above repealed substance, here, largely reenacted 2402 2674, 2674. rely meaning original revised carrying out. Insofar reviser's note 'Minor phraseology.' H.R.Rep. 308, 80th Cong., 1st Sess. A123. Furthermore, code parties treat applicable. 'Any liabilities existing (repealed) sections parts thereof affected repeal.' 992, preceding 1. 'Where contains clear certain well exceptions, resort rule (of strict construction) cannot order enlarge exceptions.' Employers' Fire insurance Cir., 167 655, 657. Old Colony 168 931, 933. significance failure list excepted exceptions following: '(a) Any based exercising care, execution regulation, regulation valid *. '(h) out assault, battery, false imprisonment, arrest, malicious prosecution, abuse process, libel, slander, misrepresentation, deceit, interference contract rights. 845, 846, 943(a) (h), 2680(a) 2680(a, h). adopted field Small 1922. authorized heads executive departments independent establishments give summary April 1917, privately owned exceed $1,000, officer employment. 42 1066, 31 (1940 215, 215; 843, 921, 2672, 2672. Many bills introduced Brooks 337 49, 51, 69 918, 919, 93 1200; Gottlieb, Act—A Statutory Interpretation, 35 Geo.L.J. 1—8 (1946—1947). Special Senate Committee Organization Congress, reported bill, referred follows: 'It complementary provision title N Immigration Nationality Decisions banning resolutions leaving claimants remedy title.' S.Rep. 1400 (on S. 2177), That was: 'Private Bills Banned 131. resolution (including so-called omnibus pension bills), amendment resolution, authorizing directing (1) payment damages, injuries instituted (other treaty stipulation); (2) construction bridge across navigable stream; (3) correction military naval record, received considered either House Representatives.' 831. lines appear 24, 1855, 612, 171 seq.; Tucker Mar. 3, 1887, 505, 1491 Patent Infringement June 25, 1910, 36 851, amended, 68 (now 1498); Suits Admiralty 9, 1920, 41 525, 46 741 1922, 2672; Public Vessels 1925, 43 1112, 781 Shumate, Against Governments, Law Contemp.Prob. (1942), 242; Constitutional Provisions Vol. VIII, Settlement published Council Governments (1950). views expressed earlier particular lose force report discussion. following comment 1942 Judiciary, charge some effect provision, occasion refer again 1946: 'Section 403 provided proportionate someone else. contained recommended involving law.' 2245, 77th 12. recognizes eliminated, still waived relation report, statements argument, assimilating proposed Based assimilation, argued joined These repeated 1945 1287 H.R. 181), 5. statements, however, entirely sectional analysis measure incorporated Congress. 29—34. comments related joinder co-defendant, rather substantially broadens compared unlimited instead being restricted exceeding $10,000; of, concurrent with, Procedure, U.S.C.A., 411. (suits tort States), forms writs, pleadings, motions, practice procedure, rules promulgated pursuant 19, 1934 (48 1064) (Federal Procedure); counterclaim set-off, judgments, applicable March 1887 (24 505) (Tucker Act).' 932. references instances control emphasize circumstances. unnecessary 'the apply civil actions.' 1559, 'Rule 14. Practice. May Bring Party. Before service move ex parte or, answer, notice plaintiff, serve summons person who him plaintiff's him. motion served, defenses assert (The amendments cases.) similarly permissive parties. Englehardt D.C. Md., 451; Newsum R. D.C.S.D.N.Y., 79 225 (third-party practice); Maryland, Use Pumphrey Manor Real Estate Trust 83 91, grounds, 176 414; Rivers Bauer, D.C.E.D.Pa., 403, affirmed, 175 774; Bullock D.C.N.J., 72 445; 2737—2738; Hulen, F.R.D. (1948) 699—700; Note, Joinder 59 Yale L.J. 1515—1521 Contra: Prechtl D.C.W.D.N.Y., 889; Donovan McKenna, D.C.Mass., 80 690; Uarte D.C.S.D.Cal., 705, 110; Drummond D.C.E.D.Va., 78 730. Ryan Distributing Corporation Caley, 51 377 (in patent litigation, infringement injunction passed court); Ford C. E. Wilson D.C.Conn., 30 163 (legal equity Munkacsy Warner Bros. Pictures, D.C.E.D.N.Y., 380 (libel jury; violation Mealy Fidelity National Bank, 339 (two causes third jury); Elkins Nobel, 357 (one three jury). 38(c), 39 42. 10, supra.

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