Legal Document

336 U.S. 198 69 Supreme Court Reporter 503 93 L.Ed. 611 LAWSON, Deputy Commissioner,v.SUWANEE FRUIT & STEAMSHIP CO. et al. Number 56. Argued Dec. 7, 1948. Decided Feb. 14, 1949. Mr. Newell Atlantic Clapp, of Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Harry T. Gray, Jacksonville, Fla., respondents. Justice MURPHY delivered the opinion Court. 1 This is a workmen's compensation case, under Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, 44 Statutes-at-Large 1424, 33 United States Code KF62 § 901 seq., Annotated KF65 U5 seq. A narrow difficult question statutory construction confronts us. 2 John Davis lost sight his right eye in an accident unconnected with industry or employment. He was later hired by respondent. An injury occurred during this employment, he now blind both eyes. The parties agree that totally disabled within meaning Act; they also employer liable loss left eye. dispute narrowed to question: should second fund, administered petitioner, be balance payments equal total disability? 3 Petitioner concluded liable. secured reversal determination District Southern Florida, 68 F.Supp. 616,1 Appeals Fifth Circuit affirmed judgment 166 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 13. Because decision conflicted Columbia National Homeopathic Hospital Association versus Britton, 79 U.S.App.D.C. 309, 147 561, certiorari denied 325 857, 65 1185, 89 1977, we granted certiorari. 4 Section 8(f)(1) Act provides 'If employee receive which itself would only cause permanent partial disability but which, combined previous disability,2 does fact disability, shall provide caused subsequent injury: Provided, however, That addition such after cessation prescribed period weeks, paid remainder due disability. Such additional out special fund established section 44.' court below (166 14) held 'clear unambiguous, therefore needs no construction. When read its ordinary sense it can have one meaning': liability fund. 5 But word 'disability' defined statute. 'when used * (10) 'Disability' means incapacity because *.' (Emphasis supplied.) 'injury' is, turn, as 'accidental death arising course employment 2(2). If these definitions are into provision, then, reads follows: accidental injury'. Davis' nonindustrial, reading points employer. 6 Congress intended use term art, shorthand way referring definition, must pay compensation. broader more usual concept word, affirmed. Statutory control words, course, case. unusual definition mechanical fashion, create obvious incongruities language, destroy major purposes provision: prevention discrimination against handicapped workers. We not result. 7 Chief Groner, dissenting supra, at page 565, noticed 'interreplacements words' set above 'produces manifest incongruity, literally result this: '* death'—And if avoid argued portion inserted, change least limit produce desired result, urge defend. It evident, therefore,' 'not made watch-like precision' so applied 8(f) (1). intent had been applicability subsection fashion petitioner contends, 'it could easily accomplished insertion 'compensable' between words 'previous' And see Cleaners Dyers States, 286 427, 52 607, 76 1204. 8 More important, perhaps, disservice do purpose provision. look explanation congressional behind subsection. witness hearing on measure outlined reasons favoring provision following manner: 'The proposition much advantage interests benefit employee. protects who has hired, say, one-eyed worker goes loses other becomes without sort thing Then, hand, from being account extra risk. Now, simply taking up possible protect also.'3 9 relies statement another before Senate Committee, favored inclusion provisions 'they become commonplace State legislation ought included Act.'4 states 'we may appropriately refer, therefore, statutes evaluations administrative experts field guidance respect manner opposing policy considerations resolved.' our search sources suggested convinces us petitioner's theories well-founded. 10 From attitude field, expect distinguish two types annual conventions International Industrial Accident Boards Commissions most helpful problem. At 1931 convention, Joseph Parks Massachusetts Commission spoke follows 'I little knew great piece . instrument persecution, N Immigration Nationality Decisions call it, men physically handicapped, what become. Men discriminated Commonwealth.'5 11 echoed Charles Sharkey Bureau Labor Statistics;6 Miss Frances Perkins, then Commissioner New York;7 others.8 Perhaps impressive evidence force statements offered I. K. Huber Oklahoma. Nease Hughes Stone Co., 114 Okl. 170, 244 Pacific KF135 P2 778, After decision, reports, 'thousands one-eyed, one-legged, one-armed, one-handed Oklahoma were let get coming law Those decisions put bad shape. displaced seven eight thousand less than 30 days Oklahoma.'9 12 distinction previously injured outside logical foundation accept premise aid handicapped. conclusion red Wilcox, Chairman Wisconsin Commission:10 'Wisconsin takes where man gotten first injury. makes difference got it. just serious him, when injury, industry.' cannot attribute illogic position Congress. 13 Our reinforced practice York federal statute based upon law.11 In 'the commission holds industrial immaterial how eyesight congenital; child years old, grown, accident. Nevertheless, time suffered disability.'12 14 argues contrary, citing La Belle Britton Supply Corp., 247 App.Div. 843, Supplement 347, Bervilacqua Clark, 225 190, 232 502. case inadequately reported; did consider precise point involved distinguished Attorney-General 1937 advised Department continue practice. Annual Report Attorney-General, York, (Albany, 1938), Page 270. 15 Petitioner's strenuous argument will soon insolvent open nonindustrial contemplated reach.13 worries seem exaggerated light experience. 1919 1933,14 Wisconsin's 50 cases charged Second-Injury Funds Employment Aids Handicapped, Division Standards (1944), 7. 1943, 99 Id., 5. 1930 Perkins told her associates problem large appears.'15 16 On basis incongruity applying mechanically, unmistakable interpretation act based, conclude art 8(f)(1), 17 Affirmed. 18 DOUGLAS dissents. Under 21 Emphasis supplied. Hearings Committee Judiciary, House Representatives, S. 3170, 69th Cong., 1st Sess. (1926), 208. Hearin Subcommittee 43. Statistics, Bull. 564 (1932), 278. 577 (1933), 146. 536 (1931), 254. 'We dealing condition theory. found some defect meets accident, likely aggravated severe thus increase cost whose experience rating want risk; poor fellow met alternative deprived earning livelihood waiving rights compensation.' Ibid, 256. Discussion Accidents Diseases, Standards, 94 (1948), 104; 602 (1934), 11, ff., especially 15; Pages 154, 155. 268, 272. Fred former Commission, said: 'Fundamentally, there moral reason why man, gets full cumulative effect things work out. escapes burden lets bear sits home job. going afraid take them added responsibility. allowed twice about it? Did anyone ever any eye? No; never chance lose industry—to blunt stating facts Employers hire before.' 157, 158. same H.R.Rep.No.1190, Sess., 2. See Employers' Liability Assurance Ltd., Monahan, Cir., 91 130; Hartford Indemnity company Hoage, 66 App.D.C. 85 411. 154. Payments Act. $1,000 noncompensable deaths, half available injuries. All penalties fines collected 44(c). 1933 decided Ruehlow 213 Wis. 240, 251 Northwestern N69 451, reversed supra. Compare Lehman Schmahl, 179 Minn. 388, 229 553. Burea 260. 259, L. W. Hatch reported 'Many people said, 'Oh, well, you make second-injury care every prior material factor man's bankrupt taxpayers called enormous burden.' far gone indicate situation.'

Classification Label: 7