Legal Document

359 U.S. 231 79 Supreme Court Reporter 760 3 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 770 Michael GLUS, Petitioner,v.BROOKLYN EASTERN DISTRICT TERMINAL. Number 446. Argued March 2, 1959. Decided April 20, Mr. Seymour Schwartz, New York City, for petitioner. William C. Mattison, Brooklyn, N.Y., respondent. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 In 1957 petitioner brought this action under Federal Employers' Liability Act to recover damages an industrial disease he allegedly contracted in 1952 while working respondent.1 Although § 6 provides that 'No shall be maintained chapter unless commenced within three years from day cause accrued,' claimed respondent was estopped raising limitation because it had induced delay by representing seven which sue.2 Respondent contended tha estoppel often prevents defendants relying on statutes limitations can have no such effect FELA cases there time is integral part a new and irretrievably lost at end statutory period. The District Court, after discussing two lines 'in sharp conflict,' one supporting respondent3 petitioner,4 concluded with apparent reluctance required prior decisions Appeals Second Circuit dismiss petitioner's suit.5 affirmed, saying 'For reasons well stated (the Court) we should not attempt retrace our footsteps now, but may await resolution conflict Court.' 2 Cir., 253 Reporter, 2nd 957, 958. Since question important recurring granted certiorari. 358 814, 76, 57. To decide case need look further than maxim man take advantage his own wrong. Deeply rooted jurisprudence principle has been applied many diverse classes both law equity courts6 frequently employed bar inequitable reliance limitations.7 Schroeder versus Young, 161 334, 16 512, 40 L.Ed. 721, allowed debtor redeem property sold satisfy judgment, redemption expired although statute granting right also limited as time.8 held purchasers could rely them told 'that would pushed, insisted upon; debtor) believed relied upon assurance.' pointed out 'such circumstances courts great unanimity purchaser insist period, notwithstanding assurances were writing, made without consideration, ground lulled into false security.' page 344, 516.9 As Miller expressed Insurance company Wilkinson, 13 Wall. 222, 233, 20 617, 'The where party representations or conduct other transaction give him against good conscience assert, court justice permitted avail himself advantage. And are defined wished, general doctrine understood technical thus obtained set up defeat ends establish dishonest claim.' We shown nothing language history indicate law, older country itself, apply suits arising statute.10 Nor counsel any convincing arguments might lead us make exception case. sure some taken exception.11 But dicta neither binding nor persuasive. Accordingly, hold error Despite filing suit entitled tried merits if prove respondent's responsible agents, agents authority particular matter, conducted themselves way justifiably misled good-faith belief begin accrued. 4 It answer say, does, alleged fact therefore Whether they depends who made. See Scarborough Atlantic Coast Line R. Co., 190 935.Suc h questions cannot decided stage proceedings. 5 complaint now drawn too vague, dismissing action. Cf. Conley Gibson, 355 41, 47—48, 78 99, 102—103, 80. His allegations sufficient present. calling application must trial. Reversed. 35 Statutes-at-Large 65, amended, 45 Code KF62 §§ 51—60, Annotated KF65 U5 51—60. Paragraph 9 states, 'Subsequent thereto defendant's servants employees fraudulently unintentionally misstated plaintiff bring said defendant result thereon withheld until present time.' American Porto Rico Coronas, 230 KF105 F3 545; Bell Wabash 8 58 569; Damiano Pennsylvania 534; Ahern South Buffalo 303 N.Y. 545, 563, 104 North Eastern 898, 908, affirmed grounds, 344 367, 73 340, 97 395. 178 253, 935, 202 84; Fravel D.C., F.Supp. Toran York, N.H. & H.R. 108 564. noted, reasoning (petitioner's) unpersuasive. N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions feel am bound * *.' 154 863, 866. See, e.g., Arrogante Barcelones, 7 Wheat. 496, 519, 507; Sprigg Bank Mount Pleasant, 10 Pet. 257, 264—265, 416; Van Rensselaer Kearney, 11 How. 297, 322—329, 703; Gregg Von Phul, 274, 280—281, 17 536; Morgan Railroad 96 716, 720—722, 24 743; Reynolds States, 98 145, 158—160, 25 244; Dickerson Colgrove, 100 578, 618; Kirk Hamilton, 102 68, 76—79, 26 79; Daniels Tearney, 415, 420—422, 187. Howard West Jersey S.S.R. N.J.Eq. 517, 141 755, aff'd below, 201, 144 919. Dawson, Estoppel Statutes Limitation, 34 Mich.L.Rev. 1; collected 77 Law 1044; 130 8; 15 Reports, 500; 1413. Compare Utah Comp.Laws (1888), Tit. IX, 3442—3445 (derived Feb. 1870, Laws Page 17, 229—232) II, 3129—3168. Jan. 18, 1867, 32. Graffam Burgess, 117 180, 686, 29 839, judgment deceived creditors land execution even though redemptions despite dissent argued 'of utmost importance strictly exercised according statute. For favor allowing year more save only adds obligation exercise strict accordance its terms.' Id., 196, 694. 582, 618 (citing discussions Coke Littleton). 265, 322—325, 703. Judge Phillips Company Grand Trunk Western Railway 236 662, 666—668, 444, 445—446, 59 774; Burnette, 239 199, 36 75, 60 226; Danzer Gulf S.I.R. 268 633, 637, 612, 613, 69 1126. cf. Harrisburg, 119 214, 140, 147, 30 358, liability remedy created same statutes, treated right. No arises power admiralty allow equitable excuse suing, kind shown.'

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