Legal Document

443 U.S. 256 99 Supreme Court Reporter 2753 61 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 521 Stanley D. EDMONDS, Petitioner,v.COMPAGNIE GENERALE TRANSATLANTIQUE Number 78-479. Argued March 19, 1979. Decided June 27, Syllabus Petitioner longshoreman, while employed by a stevedoring concern that respondent shipowner had engaged to unload cargo from its vessel, was injured in the course of work, and received benefits for injury his employer under Longshoremen's Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (Act). also brought this negligence action against Federal District Court, wherein jury determined petitioner responsible 10% total resulting injury, stevedore's fault, through coemployee's negligence, contributed 70%, accountable 20%. Following established maritime law, reduced award attributed own but refused further reduce proportion fault stevedore-employer. The Appeals reversed, holding 1972 Amendments altered traditional admiralty rule making liable only share damages equivalent ratio fault. Held: 1. Under Act, Congress did not intend change judicially created can be made pay all due plaintiff's imposing proportionate-fault rule. Pp. 263-271. (a) There is no conflict between provisions (1) event person covered "caused vessel," such may bring an vessel as third party, shall directly or indirectly any agreements warranties contrary void, (2) if provide services, permitted persons providing services vessel." first provision addresses recurring situation, case, where party vessel's longshoreman concern, does purport modify second applies less familiar arrangement ship stevedore, construed permitting third-party suit shipowner-stevedore when nonstevedoring capacity contributes injury. 263-266. (b) legislative history support Appeals' interpretation statute, which modifies longshoreman's pre-existing rights negligent vessel. 266-268. (c) While some inequity appears inevitable present statutory scheme, remove inequities, nevertheless it creates others shift burdens longshoreman. nothing indicate will presumed intended place burden on whom seeks protect. 268-271. 2. Nor so make negligence. By now changing what understood law itself wish modify, might knock out kilter delicate balance effected concerning liability vessels, parties, longshoremen who are operations. This should stay hand these circumstances. 271-273. 4 Cir., 577 Reporter, 2nd 1153, reversed remanded. Calvin W. Breit, Norfolk, Va., petitioner. Charles KF105 F3 Tucker, respondent. Mr. Justice WHITE, delivered opinion Court. 1 On 3, 1974, S.S. Atlantic Cognac, containership owned respondent, arrived at Portsmouth Marine Terminal, Va. Petitioner, then Nacirema Operating Co., he Act. 44 Statutes-at-Large 1424, amended, 33 Code KF62 § 901 et seq. In addition, 2 A suffered $100,000, co-employee's 20%.1 principle negligence.2 But accordance with common well, court employer. 3 Fourth Circuit, two judges dissenting, en banc, 86 1251, 1155-1156 (1978).3 Other Courts have reached conclusion.4 We granted certiorari resolve conflict, 439 952, 348, 58 343 (1978), and, once again,5 we before us question meaning Amendments. * Admiralty judge-made great extent, versus Reliable Transfer 421 397, 409, 95 1708, 1714, 251 (1975); Fitzgerald Lines 374 16, 20, 83 1646, 1650, 10 720 (1963), tort recognized long Amendments, see Pope & Talbot, Incorporated Hawn, 346 406, 413-414, 74 202, 207, 98 L.Ed. 143 (1953), has been since.6 As evolved 1972, would portion assignable negligence; but, matter full remainder, even injuries.7 latter accord allows sue tortfeasor amount indivisible tortfeasor's substantial factor causing, concurrent incident.8 5 problem face today, true similar problems dealt past, complicated overlap loss-allocating mechanisms guided somewhat inconsistent principles. combination context, depends showing other culpability. longshoreman-victim, however, stevedore-employer—also case participants workers' compensation scheme affords regardless employer's provides specified statute.9 905. more than attempted reconcile systems. 6 held could circumvent exclusive-remedy obtaining contribution Halcyon Haenn Ship Ceiling Refitting Corp., 342 282, 72 277, 96 318 (1952); supra; Cooper Stevedoring company Fritz Kopke, Inc., 417 106, 111-113, 94 2174, 2177-2178, 40 694 (1974). working entitled warranty seaworthiness, Seas Shipping Sieracki, 328 85, 94, 66 872, 877, 90 1099 (1946), amounted without most onboard injuries.10 However, went hold, contract obtain stevedore express implied workmanlike service result indemnification Ryan Pan-Atlantic 350 124, 76 232, 100 133 (1956). 7 Against background, acted among things,11 eliminate shipowner's unseaworthiness unworkmanlike longshoreman—in words, overrule Sieracki Ryan. See Northeast Terminal Caputo, 432 249, 260-261, n. 18, 97 2348, 2355-2356, 53 320 (1977); supra, U.S., 113 6, S.Ct., 2178 6. Though admitting either statute expressly indicates well existing rules governing diminishing recoverable basis proportionate nonparty F.2d, 1155, 2, banc found necessary sentences added part 905(b). state: 8 "In chapter caused person, anyone otherwise recover reason thereof, section 933 title, void. If 9 described perceived fashion: "The sentence says recover, anything services. irreconcilable read mean warrant recovery defeat it. They harmonized apportioned terms." 1155. 11 For number reasons, unpersuaded upset "long-established principl[e]" Cf. Isbrandtsen Johnson, 779, 783, 1011, 1014, 1294 (1952). 12 place, seen largely one creation. Both sides admit each other. reflected facts concern. circumstances, employer, recovered. overrules prevents recouping neither nor implicitly purports latter's contributing cause whose limited fixed partly blame. 13 paragraph addressed different loading unloading itself, separate company—in short, situation stevedore.12 places limitations suits injuries during operations.13 Whatever be, there sentences, arises read, it, applying longshoremen, whether independent stevedore. Nothing advises construction sentence,14 depart language respect. 14 Respondent insists that, though deal business arrangements, still arise. authorized causing argued barred co-worker interpretation, employee 99% ship's performing hold co-worker's slightest injury.15 said preposterous intent treat just like shipowners negligently causes stevedores injures services.16 15 Aside fact suggested arise application sentence, involved argument words of" must given same they cannot ascribed them petitioner's logically leads conclusion never able unless sole doubly absurd conclusion. It supported one, avoid construe permit means treated their arm itself. 16 leaves measure shipowner, doing stevedoring, partially quite unable distill obviously awkward wording indication entire ship. B 17 strongly counsels reports debates leading up contain word concept.17 silence eloquent, reticence contemplating important controversial unlikely.18 Moreover, general statements appearing 905(b) argues back legislators' minds about specific issue. Committees repeatedly refer refusal limit negligence,19 felt left position land-based employee.20 Because generally tortfeasor,21 hardly indicative respect Appeals. At very least, expect hint purpose work change, none. 18 denies one-sided, relying upon vessels "will chargeable [the] employees stevedore." S.Rep. 11; 1156 context declarations removal seaworthiness acts stevedore22—even nonnegligent ones.23 Contract 19 Finally, note adopted produces consequences doubt intended. 20 said, 905 permits exempts clearly contemplated free prove causation part, set regard Furthermore, rule, determined. recovers benefits, amount. 21 arrangement, judge jury; yet minor stevedore-employer predominantly responsible; lien out-of-pocket less. 22 many circumstances way If, example, least twice paid payable 50% plus equal damages. More generally, appear actual damages, always fall short recovering factfinder remedy diminution employer.24 23 impact stop there. 933(b), administrative order operates assignment sues within six months. And corresponding favor himself sues.25 recovery.26 933(c), intact assignee retain expenses suit, costs medical supplies provided employee, paid, value one-fifth whatever remain. system, get little, any, diminished obtained Indeed, exceeded receive action, recoup paid. 24 Some find presume protect.27 Further, clear "the indirectly," (emphasis supplied),28 disappearance indemnity right longer routinely shipowner.29 Consequently, done before, reject "theory nowhere mentioned process, comport Congress' intent, restricts . remedial ." 278-279, 2365. II 25 Of course, our decide amici view argue do so. disagree. 26 recently acknowledged sound arguments supporting division parties comparative (1975),30 mindful here interface law. aligned liabilities stevedores, shipowners, light chose change.31 "One difficult issues [Congress was] required concern[ed] operations." 8. already law,32 balance. cases advise, 112, 2177; 285-286, 279-280. Once relied conditions courts created, them. effectively alter reach results envisioned. adopt actions jurisdiction, need issue today. 27 Accordingly, reverse judgment below remand proceedings consistent opinion. 28 ordered. 29 POWELL took consideration decision case. 30 BLACKMUN, MARSHALL STEVENS join, dissenting. 31 were (petitioner Edmonds) member crew instructed Edmonds jack rear wheel large container. behind container jack, another backed truck into container, roll backwards pin bulkhead. concluded crewman, 20% accident; driving truck, 70% responsible. 32 holds negligent, 90% Edmonds' Edmonds, because absorb himself. who, determined, payments thus go scot-free.1 not, indeed defend grounds fairness. Today's ruling concurrently insulated obligation workmen's inadequate incentives safe environment employees. effect vicariously far degree suggest compelled 5(b) (LHWCA), advance justifications decision: first, principles apply admiralty, preclude judicial modification passed LHWCA; second, unfair longshoremen. Since N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions both purported wholly Court's decision, respectfully dissent. 34 begins proposition existed stevedore: am entirely convinced. None decisions cited ante, 260 7, stands proposition; conceptually distinct problem—to varying answers—of joint tort-feasors.2 willing assume, purposes argument, correctly stated "traditional" 35 next states impose 1972. Again, altogether sure. Chief Judge Haynsworth demonstrated below, tension 905(b).3 These easily reconciled assumes thinking terms points other, plausible, ways reconciling sentences. Although feel room debate question, again LHWCA. 36 agree, proposition: prohibit fashioning shipowner. exercising jurisdiction affairs broad powers interstitial rulemaking. 1715, (1975), Judiciary traditionally taken lead formulating flexible fair remedies maritime, 'Congress responsibility controlling law.' 720." presumption 37 suggests Congress, enacting 905(b), "aligned longshoremen" assumption allowed Ante, 272. belies notion. narrow objectives mind 1972: overcome Co 92-1125, Pages 8-11 (1972). form circuitous whereby Shipping, sued theory unseaworthiness; Stevedoring, stevedore; ended paying rather compensation. overruled strict-liability ensure "[t]he 11. eliminated based doctrine really necessity worker .." consistent, system congressional fully 38 anything, preserve role federal filling contours House Senate state analogous "would render non-maritime pursuits circumstances." Report emphasizes, govern 39 "[T]he Committee bill applied differently ports depending State port located. intends legal questions connection, concept contributory employee's Also, precludes defense 'assumption risk' applicable." Id., 12. specifically reaffirmed tradition continue "legal provisions" tradition. 41 Transfer, 1715 "[n]o precept [that stevedore], proportional simply [as shipowner] line since shipowner]." 42 convinced injustice benefits.4 affect relative package. 80% opposed benefits. 43 blush, something reducing potential manner. considered, policies statute. LHWCA plans, compromise. accepts work-related injuries. exchange, guaranteed every contrast, embodies element risk. faces prospect increased award, possibility receiving negligent. perceiving equities interaction scheme. 100% considers unjust receives quid pro quo guarantee Similarly, blame, everyone agrees fitting proper perceives "some inequity" allowing Presumably, "inequity" 5% 1% equity, windfall. risk-free chance degree. evenhanded my view, responsible, compensation, representing fault.5 III 45 sum, presents relatively open interpretations, history, although instructive overriding guidance precise Our duty, consonant reason, underlying sought achieve. wrong, can, step solution. resolved complacently accepting result, choice interpretations ideally Congress. approach, country end result. aside verdict earlier trial errors instructions. absolute bar plaintiff defendant. 408-409, 204, (1953); Max Morris, 137 1, 15, 29, 33, 586 (1890); 23, infra. panel 558 186, 193-194 26, Zapico Bucyrus-Erie 579 714, 725 (CA2 1978); Samuels Empresa Lineas Maritimas Argentinas, 573 884, 887-889 (CA5 1978), cert. pending, 78-795; Dodge Mitsui Shintaku Ginko K. Tokyo, 528 669, 671-673 (CA9 1975), denied, 425 944, 1685, 48 188 (1976); Shellman Lines, 675, 679-680 936, 1668, 177 (1976). Cella Partenreederei MS Ravenna, 529 (CA1 1975) (indicating agreement Dodge, supra ), 975, 2175, 799 Marant Farrell 550 142, 145-147 (CA3 1977) (discussing reserving issue); id., 147-152 (Van Dusen, J., concurring) (expressing over validity apportionment damages). Director, Programs Rasmussen, 440 903, 59 122 (1979); Pacific KF135 P2 C. Pfeiffer Diverson Ford, 78-425 (to reargued October Term 1979). Title 933(a), unchanged "determines employ elect person." Section "may [the See, e. g., 108, 113, 2178, (1974) (longshoreman recovered fault); 283, 278, (1952) (shipowner 25% unavailable shoreside contractor, Act). Atlas, 93 302, 863 (1876); Juniata, 337, 930 (1876). common-law Atlas jurisprudence: "Nothing plaintiff, having loss, wrong-doers, them, election; equally clear, contribute disaster, loss." 315, 863. Restatement (Second) Torts §§ 433A, 875, 879 (1965 1979); T. Cooley, Law 142-144 (1879); Prosser, 47, 297-299, 52, 314-315 (4th ed. 1971); cf. Washington Georgetown R. Hickey, 166 521, 527, 661, 663, 1101 (1897). relieved harm another's effecting "Nor him diminished." Restatement, 879, Comment a. Likewise, satisfy 886. seek another, 886A, nondefendant immune liability. 880. principles, inapplicable divisible separately assigned tortfeasor. 433A(1) 881. Generally, compensate losses. First Amendment Constitution Larson, Workmen's 2.50 (1978). effort gap payable. Mitchell Trawler Racer, 362 539, 549-550, 80 926, 932-933, 941 (1960). expanded Act's geographic coverage, instituted new adjudicating cases. Robertson, Jurisdiction, Shipowner Negligence Stevedore Immunities Mercer L.Rev. 515, 516 (1977). proposals movement produced employers, those acting cut off S. 525, 92d Cong., 1st Sess., (1971), Legislative History (Committee Print compiled Subcommittee Labor Public Welfare), 393-394 ultimately decided longshoremen's shipowners. Jackson Lykes Bros. 386 731, 87 1419, 488 (1967), Reed Yaka, 373 410, 1349, 448 upheld shipowner-stevedore. S.Rep.No. Page (1972), U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News, 4698 (hereinafter S.Rep.) ("Accordingly, longshoring services") supplied). Report, H.R.Rep. 92-1441 identical respects material references Report. cases, act omission small percentage ground lack causation. 11-12. hearings, lawyer possible solution retained. committee rejected proposal, apparently gave serious consideration. Hearings 2318, 1547 Welfare, 354-355 Laborers' International Union, Local 1057 NLRB, 186 U.S.App.D.C. 13, 567 1006, 1013 unseaworthiness. That occurred concomitant ending service, increasing 9-10. Congressmen objected removing deny millions dollars relief 118 Cong.Rec. 36382-36384 (1972) (Reps. Eckhardt, Dent, Ashley). shared "had political ramifications WHICH RESULTED IN FORESTALLING ANY IMPROVEMENts twelve years." 9. Those likely assailed inkling that. 5, 10. ("where when, injured"); accord, 8, 2A 9, 75.22, 14-263; Soule, Toward Equitable Rational Allocation Employee Injury Losses Cases Third Party Liability, 1979 insurance Counsel 201, 202-208. 9-11. E. Italia Societa per Azioni di Navigazione Oregon 376 84 748, 732 (1964). relies Reports' reference "comparative negligence," 12, obvious alluded only, erroneously, Comparative Negligence, 51 Mich.L.Rev. 465 defendant shipowner—a unlike proposal admiralty. 12; 905(a); supra. particularly curious say adopting limiting ("one wonder why fault"). Etna, 138 1943). original Circuit lien. 194. additional declined alteration suit. 1156. 279, "It Committee's intention including, limitation, theories tort." 412, 206 ("reduction shipowner's] expense employer] contribution"); 673; Steinberg, Act: Actions Longshoremen Shipowners—A Proposed Solution, Ohio St.L.J. 767, 792-793 ("much financial resources better utilized improved being spent defray litigation costs" actions). noted factors concurred Normally, chosen court—for tortfeasors suing collision —a unnecessary, allocated accordingly. here, shortcut inapplicable. Contribution enrichment tortfeasor, Leflar, Indemnity Between Tortfeasors, 81 U.Pa.L.Rev. 130, 136 (1932), sometimes ultimate loss justify allocating innocent unjustly enriched. Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 Hart Sacks, Legal Process: Basic Problems Making Application 525 (tent. 1958). prior recognize Even collided another. merely changed colliding damage both. Compare (apportionment grounding), Schooner Catharine Dickinson, How. 170, 233 (1855) (equal libelant collision), (1876) (in insurer ships collision, full, despite apportionment, wrongdoer), 340, (same; "must settled proceeding"). necessarily situations governed Dawson Contractors Transp. 151 401, 467 727 (private Columbia). infra, 273. "a meeting attended representatives labor industry, members staff." Brief 16. asserts compromise fashion concurrent-fault situations. No official record exists, subsequent much told Senators Representatives voted floor knew compromise, probability future mind. December 1978, $49,152 Liberty Mutual Insurance Amicus Curiae sanctioned opinion, 269-270, sum $90,000 awarded Edmonds. Technically, "joint several" immunity 905(a). several applicable. serves protect plaintiffs defendants judgments entered LHWCA, safeguards payment 932. little need, therefore, impecunious stevedores. reads: "If (Emphasis added.) phrase negligence" meaning, interpreted whatsoever," hired denied committed import notion anomaly after generous. claimant two-thirds lost wages, income taxes, adjusted periodically inflation, 906, 908; rehabilitation 907; attorney's fees 928. Coleman Daly, Credit: Apportionment Damages According Fault Tripartite Litigation Md.L.Rev. 351

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