Legal Document

499 U.S. 530 111 S.Ct. 1489 113 L.Ed.2d 569 EASTERN AIRLINES, INC., Petitionerv.Rose Marie FLOYD, et vir., al. No. 89-1598. Argued Oct. 29, 1990. Decided April 17, 1991. Syllabus After petitioner's plane narrowly avoided crashing during a flight between Miami and the Bahamas, respondent passengers filed separate complaints seeking damages solely for mental distress arising out of incident. The District Court consolidated proceedings ruled that Article 17 Warsaw Convention, which sets forth conditions under an international air carrier can be held liable injuries to passengers, does not allow recovery anguish alone. Appeals reversed, holding phrase "lesion corporelle" in authentic French text encompasses purely emotional distress. Held: 1. injuries. Pp. 534-553. (a) When interpreting treaty, this begins with treaty's context written words are used. Other general rules construction may brought bear on difficult or ambiguous passages; and, since treaties construed more liberally than private agreements, look beyond history, negotiations, practical adopted by parties. P. 534-535. (b) Neither Convention itself nor any applicable legal sources demonstrates relevant phrase, corporelle," should translated other as "bodily injury"—a narrow meaning excluding Bilingual dictionaries suggest translation is proper, concerns dictionary definitions too purposes treaty interpretation partly allayed when, here, accord main English translations including employed Senate when it ratified Convention. Moreover, review materials reveals no legislation, judicial decisions, scholarly writing indicating 1929, year was drafted, had law encompassing psychic It unlikely understanding term injury" apparently Convention's contracting parties would have been displaced abstracted from law, which, at time, evidently allowed injury, particularly injury cause action recognized many countries represented Nor conclusion altered examination 17's structure, whereby might plausibly read refer class internal injuries, contrast language covering bodily ruptures. Although official German Austria, Germany, Switzerland used terms whose closest "infringement health," reluctant place much weight text, absence German, Austrian, Swiss cases adhering broad delegate espoused. 535-542. (c) Translating consistent negotiating history reasonable infer drafters ultimately became rejected broader proposed language, almost certainly permitted distress, order limit types recoverable documentary record Conference confirms neither signatories specifically considered liability because many, if most, did recognize such time. Thus, most likely felt compelled make unequivocal reference they intended recovery, Berne International Rail. narrower reading also primary purpose parties, who were concerned limiting carriers foster growth fledgling commercial aviation industry providing full injured passengers. 542-546. (d) On balance, evidence post-1929 conduct interpretations supports corporelle." 1951 proposal substitute "affection never implemented, discussion vote that, view 20 committee proposal, distinctly physical scope. although Hague Protocol 1955, Montreal Agreement 1966, Guatemala City 1971 all "personal rather injury," none these agreements support reached Appeals. There them effect substantive change in, clarification of, provisions 17. refers only giving airline notice imposes limits "death personal injury." Additionally, cannot purport speak signatories, but merely agreement among major carriers. Furthermore, arena, few it, dispositive country, has Senate. Also unpersuasive reasoning Supreme Israel, apparent decision signatory addressing question, "desirable jurisprudential policy" mandates expansive reach This give Israeli court's perceived policy without convincing signatories' intent respect injury. Court's better accords stated achieving uniformity governing claims transportation, subjecting strict Agreement, controversial countries. 546-552. 2. issue whether recover accompanied presented addressed respondents do allege manifestation question provides exclusive sustained address certiorari granted consider here. 552-553. 872 F.2d 1462 (CA11 1989), reversed. MARSHALL, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. John Michael Murray, Miami, Fla., petitioner. Joel D. Eaton, respondents. Justice MARSHALL 1 Convention1 case presents allows unaccompanied 2 * May 5, 1983, Eastern Airlines departed bound Bahamas. Shortly after takeoff, one plane's three jet engines lost oil pressure. crew shut down failing engine turned around return Miami. Soon thereafter, second third failed due loss began losing altitude rapidly, informed ditched Atlantic Ocean. Fortunately, period descending power, managed restart land safely Airport. 1462, 1466 1989). 3 Respondents, group flight, against petitioner, Airlines, Inc. (Eastern), each claiming entertained complaint proceeding.2 conceded failure subsequent preparations ditching amounted "accident" argued makes condition liability. See In re Inc., Engine Failure, Int'l Airport, 629 F.Supp. 307, 312 (SD Fla.1986). Relying another federal analysis see Burnett v. Trans World 368 1152 (NM 1973), concluded alone compensable F.Supp., 314. 4 Eleventh Circuit F.2d, 1480. To its conclusion, court examined concurrent id., 1471-1480. We certiorari, 496 904, 110 2585, 266 (1990), resolve conflict Circuit's New York Appeals' Rosman 34 N.Y.2d 385, 358 N.Y.S.2d 97, 314 N.E.2d 848 (1974), trauma 17.3 now hold II 5 "When we 'begin "with used." ' " Volkswagenwerk Aktiengesellschaft Schlunk, 486 694, 699, 108 2104, 2108, 100 722 (1988), quoting Societe Nationale Industrielle Aerospatiale United States Court, 482 522, 534, 107 2542, 2550, 96 461 (1987), Air France Saks, 470 392, 397, 105 1338, 1341, 84 289 (1985). Accord, Chan Korean Lines, Ltd., 490 122, 134, 109 1676, 1683, 104 (1989); Maximov States, 373 49, 53-54, 83 1054, 1057-1058, 10 184 (1963). "Other passages." Volkswagenwerk, supra, U.S., 700, S.Ct., 2108. 'treaties ascertain their parties.' 396, 1340, Choctaw Nation Indians 318 423, 431-432, 63 672, 677-678, 87 L.Ed. 877 (1943). proceed apply methods turn. A. 6 Because French, must guide our analysis. 397-399, 1341-1342. reads follows: 7 "Le transporteur est responsable du dommage survenu en cas de mort, blessure ou toute autre lesion corporelle subie par un voyageur lorsque l'accident qui le s'est produit bord l'aeronef au cours toutes operations d'embarquement debarquement." 49 Stat. 3005 (emphasis added). 8 American 1934, reads: 9 "The shall damage event death wounding passenger suffered passenger, accident caused so took board aircraft course embarking disembarking." 3018 satisfied: (1) there accident, (2) "mort," "blessure," "ou . (3) disembarking. As petitioner concedes, incident here 1471. concede "mort" "blessure" mishap.4 Therefore, whether, proper satisfied 11 "French meaning" guidance shared expectations drafted continental jurists. 399, 1342. Perhaps simplest method determining appearing foreign consult bilingual dictionary. Such See, e.g., J. Jeraute, Vocabulaire Francais-Anglais Anglais-Francais Termes Locutions Juridiques 205 (1953) (translating harm" corporelle"); 95 "lesion" "injury, damage, prejudice, wrong"); 41 (giving sense "corporel" word "bodily"); Grand Larousse la Langue Francaise 1833 (1987) (defining "[m]odification structure d'un tissu vivant sous l'influence d'une morbide"). These translations, correct, clearly permit injuries.5 previously relied defining 400, n. 3, 1342, interpretation. Our wording "two 1929 English." Mankiewicz 197. noted earlier, ratifying equated 535. same appears Kingdom Carriage Act 1932. L. Goldhirsch, Annotated: A Legal Handbook 199, 204 (1988) (hereinafter Goldhirsch). turn, then, materials, determine jurists' contemporary differed meaning. 12 present day, lawyers trained civil rely following principal law: writing. generally M. Planiol & G. Ripert, Traite elementaire droit civil, pt. 1, Nos. 10, 127 (12th ed. 1939) (Louisiana State Law Inst. trans. 1959); F. Geny, Methode d'Interpretation Sources Droit Prive Positif 45-50 (2d ed.1954) 1963); R. David, Law: Its Structure, Sources, Methodology 154 (M. Kindred 1972). indicates widely encompassed 13 Turning first find legislative force contained provision Civil Code relating scope 1382, very terms: "Tout fait quelconque l'homme, autrui dommage, oblige celui faute duquel il arrive, reparer." 863 1382 as, "Every act whatever man causes obliges him fault happened repair it"). 14 next cases, likewise discover decisions before explain direct us any. Indeed, construing cover reports relatively recent involve automobile accidents incidents.6 tend usage, However, decided well drafting necessarily reflect parties' 15 finally treatises leading up (and attention) embraced Subsequent adoption some scholars interpreted encompass 146 (arguing "in expression covers 'personal' whatsoever"); Miller, Liability Transport 128 (1977) Miller) "a liberal [Article 17] line spirit Convention"). draw fact France—unlike countries, infra, 544-545, 10—permitted tort 868A (citing awarding honor affection). proposition demonstrate specific chosen parties—"lesion corporelle"—covers 16 noteworthy, moreover, base argument explanations even Code; rather, chiefly principle "giv[e] rise reparation real verified." 868. dispute law. directed prior based type claimed here—injury fright shock—absent someone injury.7 Since task "give parties," those damages. Particularly possible 10. structure. below, found Article's "suggests intend exclude particular category damages," "to impact," "would singled referred impact ('wounding')." 1472-1473 146). argument, surplusage canon domestic statutory construction, plausible. Cf. Reiter Sonotone Corp., 442 330, 339, 99 2326, 2331, 60 931 (1979). Yet contrary inference language. noted, organ disease. 536, citing (1987). If causing visible ruptures body (a common "wounding"), includes caused, example, impact, smoke exhaust inhalation, oxygen deprivation. Admittedly, still runs afoul argument. above weight. 18 structural offered advanced delegates Palagonia Misc.2d 478, 483, 670, 673-674 (Sup.1978) (quoting testimony Otto Riese). Accordingly, uses health." 146. reluctant, however, unable cited) 19 sum, reaching plausible, both difficult, 535, turn additional aids construction.8 B consistent, think, conference Paris 1925." 401, 1343; 139, 1686 (Brennan, concurring judgment). [1925 Paris] Internationale Aerien (1936) Conference). final protocol article specifying that: 'The accidents, losses, breakdowns, delays. prove taken measures designed pre-empt damage. .' 1343, translating protocol, 87. "[t]his provision, broadly distress." Sisk, Recovery Emotional Distress Under Convention: Elusive Search Meaning Lesion Corporelle, 25 Texas L.J. 127, 142 Miller 124. 21 appointed experts, Comite Technique d'Experts Aeriens (CITEJA), revise presentation Conference. Chan, judgment); 1343. CITEJA draft split Conference's into goods, losses delay. subsection introduced "en [Deuxieme] Aerien, 4-12 Octobre 171-172 (1929) (Article 21, draft). retained 3005. definitive explaining why chose believe 700-701, 2108-2109 (noting significance Service less precise provision).9 22 confirms—and courts commentators appear universally agree—that Minutes. Two commonly subject arose proceedings: jurisdictions simply could contemplate Husserl Co., 388 1238, 1249 (SDNY 1975) (Husserl ); Cie Teichner, 39 Revue 232, 242, 23 Eur.Tr.L. 87, 101 (Israel 1984); 144-145; 123-125. unavailability compensation time Conference10 persuades include remedy unknown recovery. sense, significant different transport wanted clear rail harms, made modification effect. Rail, 1952, originally conditioned "la les blessures atteinte, l'integrite Concerning Passengers Luggage By Berne, 25, 242 U.N.T.S. 355, 28, p. 390. subsequently modified "l'integrite physique mentale." Additional Rail (CIV) Feb. 1961, Relating Railway Death Personal Injury Passengers, done 26, Art. 2, reprinted Transport: Treaties V-52 (Kluwer Publishers) (Supp. 1-10, Jan. 1986) 24 industry. Franklin Mint 466 243, 256, 1776, 1784, 80 273 (1984); Minutes 37; Lowenfeld Mendelsohn, Harv.L.Rev. 497, 498-499 (1967) Mendelsohn). reason imposed maximum $8,300 accident—a low amount standards. Mendelsohn 498-499.11 Whatever current protecting fostering new way respects choice. C conclude "conduct" "interpretations signatories," 403, 1344, 26 years questioned extended Beaumont, Need Revision Amplification Com. 395, 402 (1949); Coquoz, Le 122 (1938); Sullivan, Codification Carrier Air.L. (1936). 1951, composed met Madrid Aviation Organization Committee, Documents Eighth Session, Madrid, ICAO Doc. 7229-LC/133, pp. xiii, 137 (1951). substitution because, his view, narrow, "presupposed rupture tissue, dissolution continuity" illness lung congestion breakdown heating apparatus aircraft. 136. opposed "implied inclusion disturbances upsets connected result 137, nonetheless, ibid. committee's amendment committee, 27 finding agreements: 1971. 1474-1475. For emphasized rendered instead 28 amended Convention,12 information passenger's ticket contain, require limitation upon carrier's III, Goldhirsch 266. While version Protocol, delegation, Organization, Private Law, Hague, Sept. 7686-LC/140, 243 (proposal States); Protocol).13 Citing treated Protocol's use 'subsequent "helps clarify accept interpretive where term. portion informing convention "governs" 13. be, therefore, summary description limitations 29 1966 similarly inconclusive. affects flights connecting points raised $75,000 waived due-care defenses. 317-318; 596-597. tickets Aeronautics Board interchangeably approving Agreement. 1474. two reasons, bears First, acknowledged, "[t]he quasi-legal largely experimental system essentially contractual nature." Id., 1468-1469. Second, 30 sheds light texts, English, Spanish, control conflict. XXVI, 329. deleting while retaining City, 9040-LC/167-2, 183 (1972). substituted "wounding IV, 320-321. changes versions supporting 1475. 31 several disagree. clarification. 123 inconspicuously Committee minor improvement). discussed Minutes, 9040 LC/167-1, 31-38, 41-63 approximately 120 actually 237, therefore arena. Likewise, dispositive. 1344. 32 opinions sister searching 404, Israel. That Eur.Tr.L., 102.14 33 Teichner hijacking 1976 Entebbe, Uganda. sought ordeal detention Entebbe acknowledging silent availability compensation, 101, determined ("la politique jurisprudentielle souhaitable") favored 102. development evolution Anglo-American certain circumstances. Ibid., 101-102. addition, followed desirable avoid Protocol. 243-244, 102, 128-129. deference owed persuaded reasoning. Even agree allowing goal, discussed, postenactment evidences intent. nothing purports amend reflects liberalization attitudes toward liability, 320, caution attaching it. 35 transportation. 11, supra. subjects States. 549. traditionally high degree proof, country others. Prosser Keeton Torts, 60-65, 359-361 (American extreme outrageous tort-feasor); Fleming 49-50 (British through theory foreseeability); 114, 126 (French proof certain). doubt avoids potential source divergence. III 36 suffer death, renders "damage of" ("dommage de") 3005, 3018, express App. 3-9. 37 urges grant decline 38 judgment ordered. Unification Certain Rules Transportation Air, 12, 3000, T.S. 876 (1934), note U.S.C.App. § 1502 Convention). Each state-law claims, claim breach contract, 309 dismissed claims. Ibid. Courts instance disagreed issue. Compare Borham Pan Airways, Cases 18,236 (CCH) (purely covered); Karfunkel Compagnie France, 427 971 1977) (same); Krystal British Overseas Airways 403 1322 (CD Cal.1975) 1238 ) 670 (same) 1973) (excluding injury); 351 702 (S.D.N.Y.1972) I ), aff'd, 485 1240 (CA2 (same). thus harm. Mankiewicz, Regime (1981) Mankiewicz). Respondents contend provide correct 1471 ("While would, literally, imply mentale unavailable, literal unwarranted"); Misc.2d, 482, N.Y.S.2d, 673 'bodily injury' accurate document"). But see, II, 1250 "can relate injury"). found, describe case, highest ordinary jurisdiction, Cour Cassation, distinguished "coups volontaires" ("intentional blows injuries") plaintiff—which characterized "lesions"—from "[les] troubles nature nevrotique" ("neurotic disorders") plaintiff Judgment November 4, 1971, Bull.Civ. 219, 220. Of cited compensate involved stepdaughter resulting her stepmother adultery. 145 1923 1857). Encyclopedia Comparative Torts ch. 9, 9-39, 16-17, nn. 114-115 (A. Tunc 1972) (citing, permitting nonpecuniary damages, "counsel illustration moral grief family members" 1881 Belgian wrongful case). Whether "shared expectation" experienced relatives dead qualified "dommage [ou] voyageur" ("damage passenger") will alternative "narrow" "broad" readings commentators, Appeals, doctoral thesis scholar, Yvonne Blanc-Dannery, extrinsic 1472; Palagonia, 673; According Blanc-Dannery supervision Georges Ripert. 146, La Varsovie Regles (1933) Blanc-Dannery). Ripert expert Government proceedings. Second Aeronautical October 4-12, (R. Horner Legrez Minutes). translates passage 'death' 'wounding' contemplates traumatism nervous troubles, consequences immediately become manifest organism related accident.' offers persuasive Mankiewicz's overbroad. Reply Brief Petitioner "perturbations" connote disturbance aberration function mere traumatisms troubles). accurate, Blanc-Dannery's asserted definition supported 62. little value drafters' long 145, common-law excluded 1929. 113. definitively until early 1940's. 145; Fleming, (1985) Fleming). insisted rule abandoned practice. ibid.; W. Keeton, Dobbs, Owen, 54, 363 (5th 1984). York, litigated, 1961. Battalla State, 219 34, 176 729 (1961); 113-115 States). Several socialist slow non-pecuniary pain suffering, relative, Ch. §§ 9-40. Netherlands, 1943, Codes barred though exceptions—including exception 9-41. Soviet Union, original signatory, loss. 9-37. barring available financial shown, aware cases. goal establish uniform documentation waybills procedure 85, 87; 499. goal. 552. double $16,600. XI, 268-269; 507-509. At Conference, Greek delegation adding "mental" "not clear" 261. No seconded proposal. further delegates, fact. version, contain journey involves ultimate destination stop departure, governs baggage." mort 256. published find, reported French.

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