Court Opinion

ID: 9650729
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 15:50:38.023779+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:12:25.719018
License: Public Domain

MILLER, Circuit Judge,
(dissenting).
The case involves a question of venue, rather than jurisdiction or liability. It is settled that venue provisions, being for the benefit of the parties, can be waived. Neirbo Co. v. Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., 308 U.S. 165, 63 S.Ct. 153, 84 L.Ed. 167, 128 A.L.R. 1437. Regardless of statutory venue provisions, the parties can select their trial court, providing the court selected has jurisdiction of the subject matter and the defendant. See Industrial Association v. Commissioner, 323 U.S. 310, 313, 65 S.Ct. 289, 89 L.Ed. 260. Unless Section 5 of the Act changes the rule in this particular type of case, the agreement in this case, if supported by consideration, is valid.
I do not construe a contract, merely restricting venue not unreasonably, as being a contract or device by the carrier “to exempt itself from any liability created by” the act. Herrington v. Thompson, D.C., 61 F.Supp. 903, 904; Clark v. Lowden, D. C., 48 F.Supp. 261; Roland v. Atchison, T. & S. F. Ry. Co., D.C., 65 F.Supp. 630. Under such a contract the carrier’s “liability” in its entirety still exists, and can be enforced by the employee in a court provided by the statute. The statute gives the employee a selection of venue, which selection is exercised when suit is filed. Under the contract in question he makes the selection at an earlier time. No question is involved about the selection being an unreasonable one, or operating as a hardship in any way on the employee, or being procured by fraud, misrepresentation, or duress in any degree.
Exemption from liability is entirely different from a settlement either in whole or in part of an existing liability. See Bay State Dredging & Contracting Co. v. Porter, 1 Cir., 153 F.2d 827, 832; Duncan v. Thompson, 315 U.S. 1, 62 S.Ct. 422, 86 L. Ed. 575. In Callen v. Pennsylvania R. R. Co., 332 U.S. 625, 68 S.Ct. 296, the Su*816pretne Court held that a release secured by a carrier of an existing liability under the Act was not a device to exempt itself from, liability barred by Section 5 of the Act. The majority opinion in the present case construes the venue provisions of Section 5 as part of the carrier’s “liability” under the Act. If the carrier’s entire liability can be settled, it would seem that a portion of it could likewise be settled.
I also believe that the contract is supported by consideration. The $50.00 was not a part payment of any admitted liability, but was advanced “for living and other expenses.” There is no provision that it was to be credited on any judgment or settlement that the employee might obtain. In any event, there was no obligation on the carrier to pay at that time whatever ultimately might be agreed upon or adjudged by the court. Payment in advance of the time when it is legally due constitutes good consideration.