Legal Document

446 U.S. 274 100 Supreme Court Reporter 1673 64 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 284 AMERICAN EXPORT LINES, INC., Petitioner,v.Gilberto ALVEZ et al. Number 79-1. Argued Feb. 26, 1980. Decided May 12, Syllabus After filing suit in a New York state court against petitioner shipowner to recover damages, on grounds of negligence and unseaworthiness, for personal injuries sustained while working aboard petitioner's vessel waters, respondent husband sought leave amend his complaint add spouse as plaintiff loss society. The trial denied the motion amend, but Appellate Division reversed granted reasoning that case was controlled by Sea-Land Services, Incorporated versus Gaudet, 414 573, 94 806, 39 9, which held that, under nonstatutory maritime wrongful-death remedy, widow longshoreman mortally injured territorial waters could damages her deceased husband's Appeals affirmed. Held : judgment is Pp. 277-286 (opinion BRENNAN, J.); Pacific KF135 P2 286 POWELL, J.). 46 N.Y.2d 634, 415 N.Y.S.2d 979, 389 North Eastern Reporter, 2nd 461, Mr. Justice joined WHITE, BLACKMUN, STEVENS, concluded: 1. Appeals' upholding legal tenability wife's claim society, although not "final" or within categorical exception strict finality when originally entered, will, practical matter, be treated falling such exception, where, after certiorari this Court, case, including loss-of-society tried prevailed, appeal from verdict will challenge element thereof awarding no federal issue other than whether wife has cause action general law society remains. 277-279. 2. General authorizes harbor worker nonfatally maintain an Although supra, upheld context action, it provides conclusive decisional recognition right loss, there being apparent reason differentiate between fatal nonfatal authorizing recovery Nor reach Gaudet § principle limited fact due injury been recognized Congress Death High Seas Act Jones Act. Neither statute embodies "established inflexible" rule foreclosing judicially crafted law. 279-286. believing decided wrongly, concurred because he saw rational basis drawing distinction injuries. 286. Stephen K. Carr, City, petitioner. Paul C. Matthews, respondents. BRENNAN announced delivered opinion, STEVENS joined. 1 9 (1974), fashioned Moragne Marine Lines, 398 375, 90 1772, 26 339 (1970), "society."1 question We conclude does afford action. 2 * Respondent Gilberto Alvez lost eye lasher §§ Export Builder waters. He commenced unseaworthiness.2 Leave respondent's Special Term, authority Igneri Cie. de Transports Oceaniques, 323 Federal 257 (CA2 1963), cert. denied, 376 949, 84 965, 11 969 (1964), Second Circuit ruled longshoreman's entitled compensation App. Pet. Certiorari A1. reversed, Alvez' rather Igneri, controlling authority. 59 App.Div.2d 883, 399 673 (1st Dept. 1977). Upon certification (App. A6-A7), agreed vitality had sapped developments law, Mrs. should permitted 979 (1979).3 certiorari. 444 924, 261, 62 180 (1979). affirm. II 3 At oral argument, raised, sua sponte, fell Court's statutory jurisdiction review "[f]inal judgments decrees rendered highest State decision . ." 28 Code KF62 1257. 4 close one. order granting only predicate merits society; order, therefore, sense decree leaves nothing further addressed courts. judgment, readily fit into any exceptions developed construing See Cox Broadcasting Corporation Cohn, 420 469, 476-487, 95 1029, 1036, 1042, 43 328 (1975).4 Thus, were posture stood petition filed, we might well determine lacked sufficient characteristics warrant assertion our appellate jurisdiction. 5 Since writ granted, however, society—has prevailed. Tr. Oral Arg. 7-8. Counsel American Lines informed at argument awarded Alvez. Id., 10, 41-42.5 Furthermore, conceded question, except are now asked resolve, remains litigation. 6.6 6 So far concerned, thus appears "the issue, finally State, survive require regardless outcome future state-court proceedings." Broadcasting, supra 480, 1038, see Radio Station WOW Johnson, 326 120, 123-127, 65 1475, 1477-1480, 89 92 (1945). As then, below falls—at present—within finality.7 "[N]ow before us eventual costs, all parties recognize, certainly less if pass questions presented here send back with those issues undecided." Gillespie Steel Corp., 379 148, 153, 85 308, 311, 13 199 (1964). III 7 In rejected opinion carefully constructed framework then-applicable doctrines governing remedies. time, clear sustaining F.2d, 265-266; compare Savage York, N. & Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 S. Co., 185 KF105 F3 778, 781 1911) (adopting Hough, District Judge) (dictum), Long Branch Steamboat company 195 740 (CA3 1912). It also thought established, stated, "that recoverable aeaman'an's suing wrongful death do include consortium," 266 (emphasis added); Michigan Central R. Vreeland, 227 59, 33 192, 57 L.Ed. 417 (1913). Too, evident Shipping Sieracki, 85, 66 872, 1099 (1946), entitling would extend permit spouse. 267-268. principles prevalent 1963 militated against, supported, creation Igneri. 8 recognizes Government burden proving Ms. Mendenhall consented accompany officers, nevertheless holds "totality evidence plainly adequate" support finding consent. found lacking. To sure, But source relief injury, Pope Talbot, Hawn, 346 406, 412-414, 74 202, 206-207, 98 143 (1953), just remedy death, Moragne, supra. Within single body judge-formulated logically irrelevant once have accepted suffered compensable, proved. Nothing intrinsic rule, cabin its application death.8 10 Petitioner argues must (DOHSA), 762; Mobil Oil Higginbotham, 436 618, 620, 2010, 2012, 56 581 (1978), Act, 688. settled canon jurisprudence " 'it better becomes humane liberal character proceedings admiralty give withhold required established inflexible rules.' 387, S.Ct., 1781, quoting, approval, Sea Gull, 21 Cases 1789:1880 909, 910 (No. 12,578) (CC Md.1865); accord, 583, 814. Plainly, neither DOHSA comprehends incurred high seas, 761. construed forbid supplementation elements provides. Higginbotham never intimated preclusive effect extends beyond statute's ambit. contrary, treating remedies deaths seas exclusive, expressly reaffirmed governs recoveries U.S., 623-625, 2014-2015; 397-398, 1785-1786. And pre-empt where fatalities occur follows fortiori exclude upon same 12 read sweeping aside Notwithstanding sometime treatment longshoremen pseudo-seamen certain purposes, International Stevedoring Haverty, 272 50, 47 19, 71 157 (1926); cf. 100-102, 880-881,9 exhaustively exclusively regulate longshoremen's remedies, 395-396, n. 1784-1785 12; 413-414, 207; 266.10 lacks even respect true seamen; thus, permits dependents seamen killed violation duty seaworthiness entails stricter standard care 396, 1785, Gilmore Black, 367-368. Apart pre-emption, liability schemes incorporated accorded overwhelming analogical weight formulating two statutes enacted days address related problems—yet they "hopelessly inconsistent each other." 359; id., 360-367. itself product careful drafting attentive legislative review, 277, 327; assuming bars so solely virtue judicial interpretation Employers' Liability 45 51 seq., see, e. g., Ivy Security Barge Inc., 606 524, 526 (CA5 1979) (en banc), pending, 79-1228. remedial omission considered congressional policymaking command adherence analogous contexts. already indicated "no intention [Death Seas] appropriate effectuate policies law." 400, 1787; 588, 22, 816, 22. 14 Far more persuasive present juncture currently prevailing views about Cf. 587-588, 816. observed 15 "At least much true. If common consortium, uniformly nearly so, approach problem asking why likewise 260. 16 time decided, relevant jurisdictions substantially divided over consortium. 260-264. very different today. Currently, majority consortium husband.11 day, allowed gain tortiously wife, 260; "clearly authorized" common-law translated analysis, 260, 267. implies may collect who suffers comparable wounds husband, Duncan Motors 499 835 (CA10 1974); Orr Orr, 440 268, 99 1102, 306 17 Admiralty always inspirited "special solicitude welfare men under[take] venture hazardous unpredictable sea voyages." 1780. "[o]ur resolution [is] consistent extension 'special solicitude' [seafarers] 577, 811. 18 Affirmed. 19 THE CHIEF JUSTICE concurs judgment. 20 concurring N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions continue believe 595, 819, (1974) (POWELL, J., dissenting), recognize utility stare decisis cases kind, 596, 820. injuries, join Court. 22 MARSHALL, whom STEWART REHNQUIST join, dissenting. 23 briefed argued, inevitable pressure decide it, especially dismissal based seemingly technical requirements finality. plain me final, therefore without 24 brought during course employment vessel. moved spouse, Juanita Alvez, plaintiff. His denied. affirmed Division. This Appeals. 25 litigants proceeded try Two weeks argued here, received jury sum $500,000, $50,000. counsel appealing improper instructions.1 successful, seems both verdicts reversed. these circumstances, am unable accept conclusion final. record supports suggestion 'the proceedings.' Ante, 279, quoting (1975). nor successful proceedings. Therefore, requirement 1257 precludes deciding case. Southern Gileo, 351 493, 76 952, 1357 (1956); Republic Natural Gas Oklahoma, 334 62, 68 972, 1212 (1948). 27 Even unfounded premise necessarily survive, agree final subsequent grant plurality apparently concedes certiorari, allowing appealable. 277. procedural first place. Such not, course, final; plurality's own words, "was society." Ibid. correct, trial—conducted certiorari—can vest find points none, adoption contrary rule. Indeed, appear assume determined sought. Department Banking Pink, 317 264, 63 233, 235, 87 254 (1942).2 For three reasons, strikes fundamentally misguided. First, sanctions practice nonfinal orders, treats merely policy resolve dispute. requirement, thing; determines power render decision. Jurisdictional prerequisites cannot disregarded simply economical Second, encourages seek non-final hope events them retards speedy disputes multiplies burdens Finally, most disturbing, today's lower courts proceed simultaneously That result easily coexist one basic system premised, time. Judge Moore, baron Ward, Lucas, Moore's Practice 203.11 (1975), cited. necessity adhering circumstances suggested waste resources reverse complete nullity. 29 remembered "considerations reference real interests immediate but, particularly, pertain smooth functioning system." 69, 977. Accordingly, salutary "practical construction" Cohen Beneficial Loan 337 541, 546, 69 1221, 1226, 93 1528 (1949), license ignoring entirely, interpreting regard legitimate underlying purposes. "serves several ends: (1) avoids piecemeal decisions; (2) giving advisory opinions 'case' 'controversy' Article III; (3) limits determinations minimum intrusion affairs." Dakota Pharmacy Bd. Snyder's Stores, 156, 159, 407, 410, 38 (1973). supra; 123-124, 1477-1478, 2092 All purposes jeopardized can assurance some point future. announces entirely favor federalism reviewing prematurely doing so. 30 my view, proper disposition dismiss improvidently pending appeal. still survives again dissent. "The term 'society' embraces broad range mutual benefits family member receives others' continued existence, love, affection, care, attention, companionship, comfort, protection." 585, 815. effective date 1972 Amendments Longshoremen's Harbor Workers' Compensation 901 seq. impleaded employer, Joseph Vinal Ship Maintenance, indemnification. aligned Christofferson Halliburton 534 1147 (CA 5), rehearing en banc 542 1174 (1976), number district compare, Pesce Summa 54 Cal.App.3d 86, 126 Cal.Rptr. 451 Giglio Farrell 424 F.Supp. 927 (SDNY 1977), 77-8014 (CA2, Davidson Schlussel Reederei KG, 295 So.2d 700 (Fla.App. 1974), Westcott McAllister Bros., 463 1039 1978). Note, Finality Rule Review Orders, 91 Harv.L.Rev. 1004 (1978). "Question: Carr [attorney petitioner], what happens division reverses? "Mr. Carr: reverses, Alvez's probably on— Correct. Carr:—instructions been—. Then intact, $50,000, right? Yes, sir. Could ask you disposed wife? wife. You trial? Well, don't like put way. gone you, your client? There client. indeed has, Your Honor. not—if want system, subject relitigation, it? concerned. Except amount, suppose. amount. Conceivably reduce it. With excessiveness, relitigated forum. say res judicata, pursue matter further." dissent argues, post, 287, 1, counsel's victory, contradicted statements indicating implying "might error record," 21; 20. said else: since representing attorney hardly What relevant, answer [The courts] intact." 10. Lines' aware concerns, fair response concession counsel—who position know client's strategy courts—that longer jeopardy. Our ruling extends, understand concede claims challenge. nonfinal, need preclude considering determination claim. discussion double did state: "[D]ecedent's dependents' services funeral expenses. losses—unique decedent's dependents—could accrue until death." 591-592, 818. 1150, Fifth inferred passage limit context. limitation implicit. logic, 's statement precluded equivalent proposition liability. Moreover, noted assessed cases, 589-590, 817, Christofferson, 1153-1154 (Freeman, dissenting). Haverty largely, completely, superseded 1927, Swanson Marra 869, 1045 (1946). G. Law 330, 454-455 (2d ed. 1975). Sieracki overtaken 449. parallel petitioner's, advanced barred Longhsoremen's applicable injury—i. e., Amendments. contention raised below; event, merit. Whatever limitations employers pre-1972 LHWCA, retained additional rights warranty seaworthiness. (1946); Forty-one Columbia allow couple: Swartz 293 Ala. 439, 304 881 (1974); Schreiner Fruit, 519 462 (Alaska Glendale Bradshaw, 108 Ariz. 582, 503 803 (1972); Missouri Transp. Miller, Ark. 351, 299 South Western 41 (1957); Rodriguez Bethlehem Cal.3d 382, 115 765, 525 669 Colo.Rev.Stat. 14-2-209 (1973); Hopson St. Mary's Hospital, 176 Conn. 485, 408 Atlantic 260 (1979); Yonner Adams, Storey 229, 53 Del. 167 717 (1961); Hitaffer Argonne U.S.App.D.C. 57, 183 811 (1950); Gates Foley, 247 40 (Fla.1971); Brown Georgia-Tennessee Coaches, 88 Ga.App. 519, 77 (1953); Nishi Hartwell, 52 188, 473 116 (1970); Nichols Sonneman, Idaho 199, 418 562 (1966); Dini Naiditch, Ill.2d 170 (1960); Troue Marker, 253 Ind. 284, 252 800 (1969); Acuff Schmit, 248 Iowa 272, 78 480 Kan.Stat.Ann. 23-205 (Supp.1979); Kotsiris Ling, 411 (Ky.1970); Me.Rev.Stat.Ann., Tit. 167-A Deems Maryland Md. 95, 231 514 (1967); Diaz Eli Lilly 364 Mass. 302 555 Montgomery Stephan, 359 Mich. 33, 101 Thill Modern Erecting Minn. 508, 865 Miss.Code Ann. 93-3-1 Novak Kansas City Transit, 365 539 (Mo.1963); Duffy Lipsman-Fulkerson 200 (Mont.1961) (applying Montana law); Luther Maple, 250 916 (CA8 1958) Nebraska law) (semble); Electric Bush, Nev. 360, 498 366 N.H.Rev.Stat.Ann. 507:8-a (1968); Ekalo Constructive Serv. N.J. 82, 215 (1965); Millington Southeastern Elevator 498, 305, 239 897 Clouston Remlinger Oldsmobile Cadillac, Ohio St.2d 65, 258 230 Okla.Stat., 32, Ore.Rev.Stat. 108.010 (1975); Hopkins Blanco, 457 Pa. 90, 320 139 Mariani Nanni, R.I. 119 (1962); Hoekstra Helgeland, S.D. (1959); Tenn.Code 25-109 Whittlesey 572 665 (Tex.1978); Vt.Stat.Ann., 5431 W.Va.Code 48-3-19a (1976); Moran Quality Aluminum Casting 34 Wis.2d 542, 150 137 (1967). 587, 816; generally W. Prosser, Torts 895-896 (4th 1971). stated DIVISION MAY "REVERSE ON INSTRUCTIONS TO JURY. tr. "petitioner's Alvez." 277-278. comments award designed indicate separate behalf. challenging whose spouse's wholly derivative. "if problem," "[w]aive decision, concerned below." absence waiver, "there possibility defendant record." 21. offer waiver "some error" difficult reconcile affect least, highly ambiguous, odd indulge possibly incorrect speculations jurisdictional stake. On occasion, deprive example rendering moot. reasons discussed text, justification, either precedent principle, view justify instance.

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