Court Opinion

ID: 9453728
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 18:21:57.475456+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:33:46.634803
License: Public Domain

RIVES, Circuit Judge
(dissenting):
I do not think that the evidence supports a finding that McCorpen intentionally concealed a disabling illness. His pre-employment examination posed questions in most general terms as to whether he had ever suffered any “illness” or “been sick.” As a matter of common sense, such generality in questioning requires the exercise of judgment in answering for nearly every grown man has at some time “been sick” or suffered some “illness.” McCorpen was not called on to reveal a condition which, in good faith, he did not think would affect his fitness for duty.
McCorpen’s diabetes had been controlled by self-administered insulin shots and diet since its first diagnosis in 1953. During all of this time he had been going to sea and diabetes had never disabled him or given him any trouble. Seven or eight months before joining the crew of the Green Lake he had been found fit for duty by the Public Health Service. He continued to perform his duties aboard the vessel at all times. Dr. Caravageli conceded “that there are many, many merchant seamen out on the high seas that have diabetes,” and that “most likely” if McCorpen had told him the same facts disclosed by the evidence as to McCorpen’s diabetes “he would be passed.”
To hold that such weak evidence can support a finding of intentional concealment of a disabling illness opens the door to create the exceptions, cause the delays and invite the litigations to which the seaman’s right to maintenance and cure should not be subject. See Farrell v. United States, 1949, 336 U.S. 511, 516, 69 S.Ct. 707, 93 L.Ed. 850; Couts v. Erickson, 5th Cir.1957, 241 F.2d 499, 503. While the amount involved is *552small, the implications of this holding as a precedent are far-réaching. I therefore respectfully dissent.