Renner v. Rockwell International Corp.
Renner v. Rockwell International Corp.
Opinion of the Court
We granted an interlocutory appeal, under 28 U.S.C. § 1292(b), to review determinations by the district court in these three wrongful death actions that the plaintiffs can sue under both the Death on the High Seas Act (“DOHSA”), 46 U.S.C. § 761 et seq. and the new federal maritime wrongful death remedy created by Moragne v. States Marine Lines, Inc., 398 U.S. 375, 90 S.Ct. 1772, 26 L.Ed.2d 339 (1970), that certain disputed items of damages could be recovered under the Moragne remedy, and that fraudulent concealment of a cause of action could toll the two-year limitations provision of DOHSA.
The only statute of limitations issue before us is whether the district court erred in holding that fraudulent concealment of a cause of action, if proved, will toll the two-year limitation provision of DOHSA.
Glus was an action under the Federal Employers Liability Act (45 U.S.C. §§ 51-60) to recover damages for an industrial disease that the petitioner allegedly contracted while working for the respondent. That Act contains a limitations provision stating that no action can be maintained unless it is commenced within three years from the day the cause of action accrued. The Second Circuit held that respondent’s alleged fraudulent conduct could not be used to toll limitations because the limitations period was built into the statute that created the right. The Supreme Court reversed, holding that the estoppel doctrine applied to toll the limitations period of the Federal Employers Liability Act. The Court expressly refused to make an exception to the doctrine of estoppel in cases in which the statute creating the action also contained a limitations provision. The Court observed: “To be sure, language in some decisions of this Court can be taken as supporting such an exception.11 [n. 11, inter alia cites The Harrisburg] But that language is dicta and is neither binding nor persuasive.” (359 U.S. at 234, 79 S.Ct. at 763.)
Order vacated and cause remanded for further proceedings consistent with the views herein expressed. The parties shall bear their own costs on appeal.
. The district court’s memorandum opinion and order is reported. (Renner v. Rockwell International Corporation, 403 F.Supp. 849 (C.D.Cal. 1975).)
. We do not address any of the other limitations arguments that have been presented upon this appeal because they were not encompassed by the certification.
. Section 763 provides:
“Suit shall be begun within two years from the date of such wrongful act, neglect, or default, unless during that period there has not been reasonable opportunity for securing jurisdiction of the vessel, person, or corporation sought to be charged; but after the expiration of such period of two years the right of action hereby given shall not be deemed to have lapsed until ninety days after a reasonable opportunity to secure jurisdiction has offered.”
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Carole C. RENNER, as Administratrix of the Estate of Robert Ross Renner, Jane Ann Joseph, as of the Estate of Max Eugene Joseph, and Individually, and James David Joseph, a minor, By and Through his guardian ad litem, Linda L. Russell, Loretta Karr, as of the Estate of Richard Karr, and Individually Ronald Perry Karr, a minor, and Jennifer Lynn Karr, a minor, By and Through their guardian ad litem, Linda L. Russell v. ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
- Cited By
- 4 cases
- Status
- Published