Wallach v. Lieberman
Wallach v. Lieberman
Opinion of the Court
This appeal grows out of an injury to plaintiff-appellant which occurred, incredibly, twelve years ago. The district court characterized the suit as “vexatious and worthless litigation with which two District Judges and the Court of Appeals have been burdened.” See Wallach v. Lieberman, 219 F.Supp. 247, 249 (S.D.N.Y. 1963). Again we address ourselves to plaintiff’s claims and find this appeal also to be without merit.
On September 2, 1954, plaintiff Leonard Wallach, while working as a painter in the employ . of defendant-appellee Philip Lieberman, was injured when he fell from a scaffolding in the United States Post Office and Courthouse in Brooklyn. Lieberman had been hired by the United States as an independent contractor. In 1956, plaintiff brought suit against the United States, claiming that use of the scaffolding by Lieberman was negligence for which the government was liable. That suit was unsuccessful, the trial court holding that any injuries to plaintiff were not caused by any negligence of the United States.
On appeal, Wallach raises a variety of questions; only a few justify more than summary comment. 40 U.S.C. § 290 gives a state, within whose boundaries a federal building is situated, jurisdiction to apply its compensation law.
Appellant’s constitutional argument is answered by United States v. Sharpnack, 355 U.S. 286, 78 S.Ct. 291, 2 L.Ed.2d 282 (1958). In that case, the constitutionality of the federal Assimilative Crimes Act, 18 U.S.C. § 13, was attacked insofar as it made applicable to a federal enclave a subsequently enacted criminal law of the state in which the enclave was located.
Before leaving the issue of constitutionality, however, an issue should be noted which neither party originally called to our attention. Although appellant informed the district court under the local rules
28 U.S.C. § 2403 is not clear as to the effect of the failure of the district court to notify the Attorney General. Appellant belatedly argues that failure to certify deprived the district court of subject matter jurisdiction and requires reversal. It has been suggested that lacking certification, a constitutional ques
Appellant also urges that unless the parties have waived their federal rights under N. Y. Workmen’s Comp. Law § 113,
a permissive statute intended to empower the board to make awards of compensation if all of the parties elect to settle their dispute in that fashion, and forego their Federal rights and remedies.
Ahern v. South Buffalo Ry., 303 N.Y. 545, 555, 104 N.E.2d 898, 903 (1952), aff’d, 344 U.S. 367, 73 S.Ct. 340, 97 L.Ed. 395 (1953). But section 113 has no relevance to 40 U.S.C. § 290, because under that section there is no potential conflict between federal and state law; indeed, to allow the parties to avoid New York’s compensation act in favor of some other illusory “federal right” would create a conflict with Congressional purpose, which was clearly to conform federal with state law in this area. Since a section 113 waiver was not required, it is unnecessary to deal with the weighty argument that, in any event, plaintiff’s conduct in obtaining and accepting compensation awards amounted to such a waiver.
Appellant’s further claims in this court warrant only summary treatment; we have considered them all and they are without merit or irrelevant.
Judgment affirmed.
. Wallach v. United States, 184 F.Supp. 785 (S.D.N.Y. 1960), aff’d, 291 F.2d 69 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 368 U.S. 892, 935, 972, 82 S.Ct. 145, 373, 442, 7 L.Ed. 2d 90, 197, 402 (1961).
. Two causes of action were added by amendment of the complaint in 1963.
. According to the district court opinion, 219 F.Supp. at 248, plaintiff had received by 1963 workmen’s compensation awards of almost $20,000.
. Whatsoever constituted authority of each of the several States is charged with the enforcement of and requiring compliances with the State workmen’s compensation laws of said States and with the enforcement of and requiring compliance with the orders, decisions, and awards of said constituted authority of said States shall have the power and authority to apply such laws to all lands and premises owned or held by the United States of America by deed or act of cession, by purchase or otherwise, which is within the exterior boundaries of any State and to all projects, buildings, constructions, improvements, and property belonging to the United States of America, which is within the exterior boundaries of any State, in the same way and to the same extent as if said premises were under the exclusive jurisdiction of the State within whose exterior boundaries such place may be.
For the purposes set out in this section, the United States of America vests in the several States within whose exterior boundaries such place may be, insofar as the enforcement of State workmen’s compensation laws are affected, the right, power, and authority aforesaid: Provided, however, That by the passage of this section the United States of America in nowise relinquishes its jurisdiction for any purpose over the property named, with the exception of extending to the several States within whose exterior boundaries such place may be only the powers above enumerated relating to the enforcement of their State workmen’s compensation laws as herein designated * * *.
. For a discussion of that Act, see Note, 70 Harv.L.Rev. 685 (1957).
. S. & E.D.N.Y.Gen.R. 24.
. In any action, suit or proceeding in a court of tlie United States to which the United States or any agency, officer or employee thereof is not a party, wherein the constitutionality of any Act of Congress affecting the public interest is drawn in question, the court shall certify such fact to the Attorney General, and shall permit the United States to intervene for presentation of evidence, if evidence is otherwise admissible in the case, and for argument on the question of constitutionality. The United States shall, subject to the applicable provisions of law, have all the rights of a party and be subject to all liabilities of a party as to court costs to the extent necessary for a proper presentation of the facts and law relating to the question of constitutionality.
. In its original form, the bill which became § 2403 specifically left it with the court to determine in the first instance the substantiality of the claim of unconstitutionality. See H.R. 2260, 75th Cong., 1st Sess., reprinted in 81 Cong.Rec. 3269 (1937). However, in the Senate an amendment was offered expressly to remove the district court’s discretion whether to certify a constitutional question. 81 Cong.Rec. 8507. As so amended, the Senate passed the bill. 81 Cong.Rec. 8514-15. In conference the managers of the bill for the House acquiesced in the Senate’s change, H.R.Rep. 1490, 75th Cong., 1st Sess., at 5, reprinted in 81 Cong.Rec. 8609 & 8701-02; the conference report was accepted by both houses, 81 Cong.Rec. 8609, 8705; and the bill became law, 50 Stat. 751 (1937), now codified as 28 U.S.C. § 2403.
. Certification and intervention are permissible at any stage of the proceeding. See, e. g., Glidden Co. v. Zdanok, 308 U.S. 814, 82 S.Ct. 56, 7 L.Ed.2d 22 (1961) (Supreme Court certified question); id. at 885, 82 S.Ct. 140 (United States intervened) ; Supreme Court Rule 33, subd. 2(b).
. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to employers and employees engaged in intrastate, and also interstate or foreign commerce, for whom a rule of liability or method of compensation has been or may be established by the congress of the United States, only to the extent tliat tlieir mutual connection with intrastate work may and shall be clearly separable and distinguishable from interstate or foreign commerce, provided that awards according to the provisions of this chapter may be made by the board in respect of injuries subject to the admiralty or other federal laws in case the claimant, the employer and the insurance carrier waive their admiralty or interstate commerce rights and remedies, and the state insurance fund or other insurance carrier may assume liability for the payment of such awards under this chapter.
. Compare Ahern v. South Buffalo Ry., supra, and Heagney v. Brooklyn E. Dist. Terminal, 190 F.2d 976 (2d Cir. 1951), cert. denied, 342 U.S. 920, 72 S.Ct. 367, 96 L.Ed. 688 (1952), which found waiver, with Calbeek v. Travelers Ins. Co., 370 U.S. 114, 131-132, 82 S.Ct. 1196, 8 L.Ed.2d 368 (1962), and Harney v. William M. Moore Bldg. Corp., 359 F.2d 649 (2d Cir. 1966), which did not.
. Appellant’s brief on appeal raised the following additional points not already discussed: dismissal for lack of jurisdiction below barred summary judgment; the post office building is under exclusive Congressional jurisdiction; the New York State Compensation Law is not the exclusive remedy for an injury on federal property; statutes of limitation were tolled during the period plaintiff sued the wrong party; and privilege in resisting a subpoena was not properly urged by governmental authorities. At oral argument, plaintiff also claimed that plaintiff’s “brain damage” also tolled any statute of limitations.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Leonard WALLACH v. Philip LIEBERMAN, trading under the firm name of MRM Contracting Co., Application of Vincent L. BRODERICK, etc., and Harvey G. Foster, etc., to quash subpoenas duces tecum
- Cited By
- 24 cases
- Status
- Published