Legal Document

404 U.S. 254 92 Supreme Court Reporter 405 30 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 424 William M. O'KEEFFE, Deputy Commissioner, Sixth Compensation District, Department of Laborv.AEROJET-GENERAL SHIPYARDS, INC. Number 71—262. Dec. 14, 1971. Rehearing Denied Jan. 17, 1972. See 1053, 702. PER CURIAM. 1 Petitioner, a Labor rejected an employee's claim against respondent under the Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Act, 44 Statutes-at-Large 1424, as amended, 33 Code KF62 § 901 et seq., on ground that proofs failed to establish his disability was related conditions employment. Thereafter petitioner reopened case pursuant 22 922. On basis testimony by personal physician commission-appointed doctor, concluded, contrary initial determination, disabling condition had in fact been 'materially aggravated hastened' circumstances employment, awarded him compensation. The District sustained award but Appeals for Fifth Circuit, one judge dissenting, reversed. 442 Federal Reporter, 2nd 508. held absence changed or new evidence clearly demonstrating mistake 'statute simply does not confer authority upon Commissioner receive additional cumulative change mind.' F.2d, at 513. 2 Neither wording statute nor its legislative history supports this 'narrowly technical impractical construction.' Luckenbach S.S. company versus Norton, 106 137, 138 (CA3 1939). Section Act provides: 3 'Upon own initiative, application any party interest, because determination deputy commissioner, commissioner may, time prior year after date last payment compensation, whether compensation order has issued, rejection claim, review accordance with procedure prescribed respect claims section 919 title, such issue which may terminate, continue, reinstate, increase, decrease * *' 4 Thus, face, permits reopening within 'because fact.' There is no limitation particular factual errors, cases involving circumstances. did authorize only 'ground conditions,' 1437, amended 1934 expressly 'broaden grounds can modify when makes modification desirable render justice act.' S.Rep.No. 588, 73d Cong., Sess., 3—4 (1934); H.R.Rep.No.1244, (1934). plain import amendment vest broad discretion correct mistakes fact, demonstrated wholly evidence, merely further reflection initially submitted. 5 Nor our construction 'render meaningless provision (of 21 921) (a compensation) becomes final unless proceedings are brought thirty days.' Case Calbeck, 304 198, 201 (CA5 1962). authorized limited legal validity award; district court set aside if it 'not law.' 21(b), 921(b). 30-day limit 'rendered meaningless' setting different redetermination fact. Moreover, judicial confirms need errors effort 'to 6 petition certiorari granted, judgment reversed, remanded consistent opinion. 7 It so ordered. 8 Judgment reversed directions.

Classification Label: 7