Legal Document

395 U.S. 352 89 Supreme Court Reporter 1835 23 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 360 Paulette Boudreaux RODRIGUE et al., Petitioners,v.AETNA CASUALTY AND SURETY COMPANY al. Number 436. Argued Feb. 25, 1969. Decided June 9, Philip E. Henderson, Houma, La., for Petitioners. James Diaz, Lafayette, respondents. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This case involves two men, Dore and Rodrigue, who met their deaths on artificial island drilling rigs located outer Continental Shelf off Louisiana coast. Each man's family brought suit wrongful death in federal courts both under Death High Seas Act, 41 Statutes-at-Large 537, 46 Code KF62 § 761 seq. (hereinafter 'Seas Act'), law assertedly made applicable by Outer Lands 67 462, 43 1331 'Lands Act'). family's was separately heard decided District Courts Appeals below. In cases Fifth Circuit, affirming Courts, held that Act exclusive remedy these deaths. Petitioners sought certiorari, claiming they are entitled to an additional state adopted Act. 2 case, decedent working a crane mounted being used unload barge. As lifted load from barge place it island, collapsed toppled over onto barge, killing worker. His widow her three children single action Western Louisiana, alleging own decedent's residency negligence firms which manufactured, installed, serviced crane. The 'General Maritime Laws, * Article 2315 (Louisiana Code) other laws n ited State Louisiana.' It claimed $670,000 damages plaintiffs loss husband father, including pecuniary psychic losses. On motion summary judgment as all claims but Judge determined latter plaintiffs' only remedy, removed admiralty side court, thus limited recovery loss. statute would have allowed elements damage. certified question pursuant Federal Rule Civil Procedure 54(b), Circuit affirmed. 391 Reporter, 2nd 671. 3 Rodrigue performing test drill pipe. He high derrick rising above fell his floor structure. actions Eastern Louisiana. One Act; were civil respectively against owner insurer rig, stationary platform. Revised Code. trial court consolidated dismissed insurer, had been party one direct-action statute. La.Rev.Stat.Ann. 22:655. No reason assigned dismissal, ground urged accident did not occur within so apply. Consistently with this, before trial, provided such circumstances make inconsistent applicable.1 proceeded $75,000, 266 F.Supp. 1, is now us. appeal dismissal actions, affirmed per curiam, citing its decision almost months before. 216. 4 Certiorari granted cases, 393 932, 295, 21 268 (1968), argued together here. light principles traditional law, we hold petitioners' law. makes clear supplemented adjacent State, be applied islands though enclaves upland State. approach deliberately taken lieu treating structures vessels, jurisdiction vessel's Hamilton, 207 398, 28 133, 52 L.Ed. 264 (1907). done part because men closely tied often commute families live, unlike transitory seamen whom more generalized appropriate. Since does apply force principles, since eschewed application novel structures, i ousted applicable. I. 5 purpose define body seabed, subsoil, fixed those here Shelf. That this States, applying then when language Section 'policy States' affected areas 'appertain subject jurisdiction, control, power disposition.'2 'Constitution political 'to same extent if area State.' function system, might inadequate cope full range potential legal problems, gaps through 'adoption States.' Under 4, State's 'the (the relevant subsoil seabed) erected thereon,' laws.' 6 evident 'exclusive' regulation area, w surrogate Senate Report bill referred 'precise unequivocal language' provision adoption law,' consisting Constitution regulations Secretary Interior, finally 'adopted supplement existing regulations.' S.Rep. 411 Committee Interior Insular Affairs, 83d Cong., 1st Sess., 11 (1953). 7 first introduced present adopting report explaining introduction asserted: 'Paragraph (2) adopts statutes or inapplicable.' Id., at 23. could fill voids. And conference report, House managers noted 'are particular areas.' H.R.Conf.Rep. 1031, 12 8 should prevail, no applied, Congress debate underscored issue. Senator Cordon, presenting Senate, problem addressed committee raised fact development estimated values shelf will require efforts physical presence thousands workers area. Industrial accidents, accidental death, peace, order' problems requiring solution. 'as every Member knows, never designed complete itself,' some instances. 99 Cong.Rec. 6962—6963. Anderson, member committee, put it: 'The real point section provides shall where there void, may *.' 7164. Cordon view 'entirely correct' added that: 'These laws, terms act, enacted law.' 9 opponents realized well Long amendment newly acquired officials agents empowered) enforce area.' arguing amendment, asserted '(i)t even important than natural But rejected. See 7232—7236. legislative history buttresses Appeals' finding inconsistencies between applied. II. 10 However, oust must below assumed Act4 apply, marine league enough applicable.5 redresses stemming omissions 'occurring seas,' involve series events islands. Moreover, primarily navigational aids, accidents bore relation any function. Admr alty has construed extend piers, jetties, bridges, ramps railways running into sea.6 To completely surrounded water, usually involved collision ship explained use structure solely principally aid.7 damage caused vessel admitted Admiralty Extension Act8 available event. vessel, aids. They islands, albeit ones, one, connection ordinary stuff do piers. Indeed, specifically platforms jurisdiction. Phoenix Construction company versus Steamer Poughkeepsie, 212 558, 29 687, 53 651, 162 KF105 F3 494 (D.C.1908). There damaged 'composed various lengths wrought iron pipe platform surface.' Citing lower relied, conclusion lacking 'project libellant engaged suggestive maritime affairs. supplying water city mere means carried bed river, extensions river surface, create right, nor sense aid navigation, distinguishing feature Blackheath.' F., 496. circumstances, Act—which admiralty—clearly conventional and, alternative assume intended 1920 applicable, ousting worker far less comprehensive remedies many he now. Even occurring shows di intend result. First, unless treated landlocked vessels. 13 introducing inception follows: 14 attempted provide housekeeping necessary removal minerals States. incorporating reference statutes. solution seemed reasonably answer inasmuch applies American theory themselves. 15 'However, further consideration clearly showed adequate problem. so-called social protection & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions refer things unemployment industrial-accident fair-labor-standard forth. 16 '(Ultimately, instead,) whole (was applicable) (as necessary). Thus, situation comparable owned Government lying boundaries uplands.' 6963. 17 Similarly, Ellender draft 'was treat created ships' 'islands our domestic law' instead 'treated just nature, insofar concerned.' 7235. 18 bill, H.R. 5134, also 'inconsistent each coastal applicable,' least Interior. H.R.Rep. 413, 8—9 read amendments, acts 'on (other vessel)' exploring exploiting resources 'shall deemed occurred committed aboard seas adjudicated according relating vessels seas.' When reported replaced language, omitting entirely 19 Careful scrutiny hearings basis eliminating treatment convinces us motivation change, inapposite structures. generally Hearings S. 1901 (1953) (hereafter Hearings). theme throughout close relationship adjoining Objections repeatedly voiced principle 'vessel' supplementation.9 hand, enforcement insisted upon Department Justice, substantial doubt whether extended t structures.10 A thought necessary. 20 aware activity ship. Jones 137 202, 80, 34 691 (1890); 511—512; 1948, 62 496, 740; see Matson Nav. Co., 201 610 (C.A.9th Cir. 1952); cf. Gutierrez Waterman S.S. Corp., 373 206, 209, 83 1185, 1188, 297 (1963). very initial recognized explicitly, simply aids.11 acutely inaptness seabed obviously unsuited task.12 Although Assistant Attorney General, Office Legal Counsel, persisted end claim incorporated island's owner, obvo usly prevail. Instead, compromise emerged. administration's opposition committing courts, substantive enforceable courts. special betwen articificial shore visit dropping 'vessels' instead, objections administration really amended them (they) (in) became federally enforced. 22 disclosure original abandoned, apparent seas, themselves considered Thus actually enclave extended. At minimum, wharf navigable waters, changed character inapplicability removes obstacle incorporation decisions reversed causes remanded proceedings consistent opinion. 24 ordered. 25 Reversed remanded. name rested directly formal omission inconsequential Judge's cause together. remand, can assert Law, deficiency regard cured pleadings. Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 15. set forth 32 1332: '(a) declared policy appertain disposition subchapter.' 1333: 1333. Laws governing lands. laws; States; publication projected lines; restriction taxation '(1) thereon for, developing, removing, transporting therefrom, State: Provided, however, mineral leases maintained issued provisions subchapter. '(2) subchapter effect hereafter adopted, criminal effective date portion Shelf, thereon, seaward margin President determine publish Register lines extending defining All administered enforced appropriate officers '(3) interpreted interest behalf property thereof revenues therefrom.' §§ 761—768, reads: 'Whenever person neglect, default beyond Columbia, Territories dependencies personal representative maintain district admiralty, benefit wife, husband, parent, child, dependent relative person, corporation liable ensued.' topic received scant attention argument Court, briefs requested. Plymouth, Wall. 20, 125 (1866); Troy, 208 321, 416, 512 (1908); T. Smith Son, Incorporated Taylor, 276 179, 48 228, 72 520 (1928); Hastings Mann. 340 910 (C.A.4th Cir.), cert. denied, 380 963, 85 1106, 153 (1965). Blackheath, 195 361, 46, 49 236 (1904); Raithmoor, 241 166, 36 514, 60 937 (1916); Doullut Williams 33, 45 411, 69 832 (1925). include injury, property, notwithstanding injury consummated land.' 740. For example, Daniel out touch waters except supporting pipes 'legs' go down ground. think you connected soil rather vessels.' 22. Acting Treasury Rose opined letter 'upon waters' safety lights. 53. specific permit regulation. 4(e), 1333(e). Obviously constructed aids navigation respondents contend, Pure Oil Snipes, 293 (C.A.5th 1961), hazards warning facilities. Governor Kennon strong opposition, 449—485, e.g., 275—278. 513—518, 545, 612. 644—645, inappropriateness lease, given emphasis. General Rankin, 700; testimony 664—645, 664—665, 652—653. opening discussion remarked: 'It chairman individuals leave board structure, operates instance ship, becomes act.' 9. (Emphasis added.) hearings, Senators questioning lawyer receive absent statutory provision, informed lighthouse land, navigation. 669—670. An expert questioned took position unwise. 'Maritime strict deal beneath sea, tenor ill adapted purpose.' 668. treats same, presumptive most sensible interpretation Congress' reaction altogether,

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