Court Opinion

ID: 9794626
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 03:08:45.366585+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:18:38.830628
License: Public Domain

KAUS, J., Dissenting.
In Paraiso v. United States (1907) 207 U.S. 368, 372 [52 L.Ed. 249, 251, 28 S.Ct. 127], Justice Holmes spoke of “the inability of the 17th century common law to understand or accept a pleading that did not exclude every misinterpretation capable of occurring to an intelligence fired with a desire to pervert.” Substitute “exculpatory clause” for “pleading” and it becomes evident that the majority dissects the clause in issue here with the mindset of a 17th century pleader.
It seems plain to me that, unless we are in an area where exculpatory clauses are simply invalid (e.g., Tunkl v. Regents of University of California (1963) 60 Cal.2d 92 [32 Cal.Rptr. 33, 383 P.2d 441, 6 A.L.R.3d 693]), it takes a real effort at ignoring the obvious to construe the clause in issue here as failing to exculpate Gledhill from negligence—gross or simple. The fact that “wilful misconduct” is expressly not excused plainly makes the exculpatory clause applicable to any less culpable standard of conduct.
Thus, assuming that the majority is correct in concluding that exculpatory clauses are in general valid under the controlling federal admiralty decisions—and I have no reason to doubt it—I believe the judgment should be affirmed.1
What I find odd is that so much admiralty learning is devoted to an issue which eventually comes out in the wash. If, as the majority holds, the clause is not sufficiently specific to exculpate Gledhill from liability for negligence even under the more benign admiralty standards (see Hall-Scott Motor Car Co. v. Universal Insurance Co. (9th Cir. 1941) 122 F.2d 531, cert. den. 314 U.S. 690 [86 L.Ed. 552, 62 S.Ct. 360]; JIG The Third Corp. v. Puritan Mar. Ins. Under. Corp. (5th Cir. 1971) 519 F.2d 171, 178), it surely is inadequate under California law. (See, e.g., Vinnell Co. v. Pacific Elec. Ry. Co. (1959) 52 Cal.2d 411, 415 [340 P.2d 604].) If so, why inquire which law applies?
I respectfully dissent.
Richardson, J., and Beach J.,* concurred.

 I have carefully reviewed the federal authorities which the majority cites. None is even remotely in point.

 Assigned by the Chairperson of the Judicial Council.