Associated-Banning Co. v. Landy

254 F. Supp. 275, 31 Cal. Comp. Cases 454, 1965 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7527
CourtDistrict Court, N.D. California
DecidedDecember 8, 1965
DocketNo. 43461
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 254 F. Supp. 275 (Associated-Banning Co. v. Landy) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, N.D. California primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Associated-Banning Co. v. Landy, 254 F. Supp. 275, 31 Cal. Comp. Cases 454, 1965 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7527 (N.D. Cal. 1965).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OF DECISION

SWEIGERT, District Judge.

Plaintiff, a corporation engaged in stevedoring operations and a former employer of Milton Jaymot, now deceased, commenced this action for a declaration by this Court that defendant, Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Employees Compensation, United States Department of Labor is without jurisdiction to proceed further in the processing of a claim filed on May 31, 1963, by the widow and minor children of Jaymot with the defendant Commissioner for compensation benefits under the Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, 44 Stat. 1424-1446 (1927), as amended, 33 U.S.C. §§ 901-950 (1964) and, further, praying that this Court enjoin the Deputy Commissioner from entertaining further jurisdiction of the claim.

The case is before the Court upon plaintiff’s motion for issuance of a preliminary injunction to that effect.

Also before the Court is a motion by defendant to dismiss the complaint upon the ground that this Court has no jurisdiction over the subject matter of the present action and upon the further ground that the complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.

The complaint alleges that the widow and minor children of Jaymot, on July 18, 1962, filed an application for compensation death benefits with the Industrial Accident Commission of California and that in that proceeding the Referee on August 8, 1963, made findings together with a “Report of Referee on Decision” to the effect that the applicants take nothing by reason of their claim; that their petition for reconsideration was denied by the Industrial Accident Commission on October 3, 1963, specifically finding that Jaymot’s death did not arise out of nor occur in the course of his employment, and that the Commission ruling was on February 8,1964, finally affirmed on appeal by the California District Court of Appeal and that on March 18, 1964, a petition for hearing by the California Supreme Court was denied.

[277]*277Plaintiff invokes the jurisdiction of this Court, not under the general review provisions of the Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, 44 Stat. I486 (1927), as amended, 33 U.S.C. § 921 (1964), but under the provisions of 72 Stat. 415 (1958), 28 U.S.C. § 1331 (1964) [federal question] and the Ad-Procedure Act § 10, 60 Stat. 243 (1946), 5 U.S.C. § 1009 (1964).

It is clear from the prayer of the complaint that plaintiff also seeks relief under the Declaratory Judgment Act, 62 Stat. 964 (1948), as amended, 28 U.S.C. §§ 2201-2202 (1964).

The Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, 44 Stat. 1424-1446 (1927), as amended, 33 U.S.C. §§ 901-950 (1964) [hereinafter referred to as the Act] establishes the procedure in respect of claims for compensation benefits under its provisions (§ 919), provides a presumption that in the absence of substantial evidence to the contrary, the claim comes within its provisions (§ 920); provides that the Deputy Commissioner shall have full power and authority to hear and determine all questions in respect to such claims (§ 919); provides that, if not in accordance with law, a compensation order may be suspended or set aside, in whole or in part, through injunction proceedings, mandatory or otherwise, brought by any party in interest against the Deputy Commissioner making the order, and instituted in the United States District Court (§ 921(b)); provides that proceedings for suspending, setting aside or enforcing an award shall not be instituted otherwise than provided in § 921.

T -r, r i. r< tit i. n In Paramino Lumber Co. v. Marshall, 95 F.2d 203, (9th Cir. 1938), wherein plaintiff sought to enjoin the Deputy n__. . j. , , . Commissioner from hearing a claim under the Act the Court held that the iurisder the Act, the Court held that the juris diction of the United States District Court is amply defined and appropriate judicial protection is afforded by the Act, that such jurisdiction is to be exercised as specified in the statute; that the power of the Court to grant injunctive relief, where irreparable damage would otherwise result to an employer, is to be exercised after the hearing and the making of a compensation order not before; that, until such time, by necessary implication, Congress has withheld from the Court the power to act.

In Leonard v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co., 267 F.2d 421 (3rd Cir. 1959), an action by an injured longshoreman for a judgment declaring his rights under the Act, the Court, reversing the District Court, similarly held to the same effect, adding that the issues presented were such as should be determined in the first instance by the Deputy Commissioner, not hy the Court, and that the plan of the statute creates an administrative procedure, subject to specified court review, and that the general provisions of the Declaratory Judgment Act should not be used to circumvent such procedure. See also Thibodeaux v. J. Ray McDermott & Co., 276 F.2d 42 (5th Cir. 1960).

In Flying Tiger Lines Incorporated v. Landy, 250 F.Supp. 282, N.D.Cal., March 30, 1965, thig Court, reviewing an award of the Deputy Commissioner upon the judicial review proceedings provided by the Act> answered a contention that an award made to claimants by the California Industriai Accident Commission was res adjudicata, and held that, whatever the result may be under gtate kw> the federal remedy is exclusive, citing Globe Indem. Co. v. Calbeck, 230 F.Supp. 9, 13 (S.D.Tex.1959).

In a recent case, O’Keeffe v. Smith, Hinchman & Grylls Associates, Inc., 380 U.S. 359, 85 S.Ct. 1012, 13 L.Ed.2d 895 (1965), the Court pointed out that even where the Act is reviewed in its speci- „ .. .. ^ manner the scope of review is quite H + í" T? that its procedures take precedence over ,, , . , * the Admimstrative Procedure Act § 10, 6Q g t (1946), 5 U.S.C. § 1009 ., , <19?4> Wphich’ 1Self’ pr?vlde? expr?ssl5; that th\fo™ of Proceeding for judicial review sha11 be any special statutory reVlew proceedmg specified by statute-

Plaintiff contends that the Jaymot claim is a so-called “twilight zone” claim [278]*278within the meaning of Davis v. Dep’t of Labor & Indus, of Wash., 317 U.S. 249, 63 S.Ct. 225, 87 L.Ed.2d 246 (1942), i.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Appalachian Power Company v. Dunlop
399 F. Supp. 972 (S.D. West Virginia, 1975)
Lynch v. Landy
396 F.2d 440 (Ninth Circuit, 1968)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
254 F. Supp. 275, 31 Cal. Comp. Cases 454, 1965 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7527, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/associated-banning-co-v-landy-cand-1965.