Kerry J. Blanchard and Patricia M. Blanchard, Patricia M. Blanchard v. Teledyne Movible Offshore, Inc.

Fifth Circuit

Kerry J. Blanchard and Patricia M. Blanchard, Patricia M. Blanchard v. Teledyne Movible Offshore, Inc.

612 F.2d 971, 1980 U.S. App. LEXIS 20033

CourtCourt of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

DecidedFebruary 29, 1980

Docket79-2681

StatusPublished

Cited by3 cases

This text of 612 F.2d 971 (Kerry J. Blanchard and Patricia M. Blanchard, Patricia M. Blanchard v. Teledyne Movible Offshore, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Kerry J. Blanchard and Patricia M. Blanchard, Patricia M. Blanchard v. Teledyne Movible Offshore, Inc., 612 F.2d 971, 1980 U.S. App. LEXIS 20033 (5th Cir. 1980).

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Opinion

PER CURIAM:

This appeal taken pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(b) presents the issue of whether the wife of an injured seaman has a cause of action for loss of consortium against the party allegedly responsible for her husband’s injuries under either the Jones Act, the general maritime law, or the laws of the State of Louisiana. The district court granted the defendant’s motion to dismiss the claim of Patricia M. Blanchard for loss of consortium occasioned by the injuries allegedly sustained by her husband, Kerry J. Blanchard on the basis of this Court’s decision in Christofferson v. Halliburton, 534 F.2d 1147 (5th Cir. 1976).

Some courts have chosen not to follow Christofferson. See, e. g., Alvez v. American Export Lines, Inc., 46 N.Y.2d 634, 415 N.Y.S.2d 979, 389 N.E.2d 461 (1979); Giglio v. Farrell Lines, Inc., 424 F.Supp. 927, 930 (S.D.N.Y.1977); Hubschman v. Antilles Airboats, Inc., 440 F.Supp. 828, 858 (D.C.V.I. 1977). But see Ivy v. Security Barge Lines, Inc., 606 F.2d 524, 526 n.5 (5th Cir. 1979) (en banc); Igneri v. Cie. de Transports Oceaniques, 323 F.2d 257 (2nd Cir. 1963), cert. denied 376 U.S. 949, 84 S.Ct. 965, 11 L.Ed.2d 969 (1964).

The judgment entered upon this motion states, in the words of Rule 54(b), that there is “no just reason for delay of entry of this judgment.” However, since the district court’s certification the Supreme Court has granted the petition for certiorari filed in American Export Lines, Inc. v. Alvez, *972 - U.S. -, 100 S.Ct. 261, 62 L.Ed.2d 180 (1979). This may dispositively resolve the issue before us.

In light of the intervening certiorari grant in Alvez, we hold that the instant case was not an appropriate one for entering a special order under Rule 54(b). See generally 10 C. Wright & A. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure § 2659 (1973).

Accordingly, the appealed judgment will be set aside and the case remanded for further proceedings. The district court will have full control over the entire case, including appellant’s claim, until final judgment is entered as to all parties.

REMANDED FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS.

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PER CURIAM:

This appeal taken pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(b) presents the issue of whether the wife of an injured seaman has a cause of action for loss of consortium against the party allegedly responsible for her husband’s injuries under either the Jones Act, the general maritime law, or the laws of the State of Louisiana. The district court granted the defendant’s motion to dismiss the claim of Patricia M. Blanchard for loss of consortium occasioned by the injuries allegedly sustained by her husband, Kerry J. Blanchard on the basis of this Court’s decision in Christofferson v. Halliburton, 534 F.2d 1147 (5th Cir. 1976).

Some courts have chosen not to follow Christofferson. See, e. g., Alvez v. American Export Lines, Inc., 46 N.Y.2d 634, 415 N.Y.S.2d 979, 389 N.E.2d 461 (1979); Giglio v. Farrell Lines, Inc., 424 F.Supp. 927, 930 (S.D.N.Y.1977); Hubschman v. Antilles Airboats, Inc., 440 F.Supp. 828, 858 (D.C.V.I. 1977). But see Ivy v. Security Barge Lines, Inc., 606 F.2d 524, 526 n.5 (5th Cir. 1979) (en banc); Igneri v. Cie. de Transports Oceaniques, 323 F.2d 257 (2nd Cir. 1963), cert. denied 376 U.S. 949, 84 S.Ct. 965, 11 L.Ed.2d 969 (1964).

The judgment entered upon this motion states, in the words of Rule 54(b), that there is “no just reason for delay of entry of this judgment.” However, since the district court’s certification the Supreme Court has granted the petition for certiorari filed in American Export Lines, Inc. v. Alvez, *972 - U.S. -, 100 S.Ct. 261, 62 L.Ed.2d 180 (1979). This may dispositively resolve the issue before us.

In light of the intervening certiorari grant in Alvez, we hold that the instant case was not an appropriate one for entering a special order under Rule 54(b). See generally 10 C. Wright & A. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure § 2659 (1973).

Accordingly, the appealed judgment will be set aside and the case remanded for further proceedings. The district court will have full control over the entire case, including appellant’s claim, until final judgment is entered as to all parties.

REMANDED FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS.

Obbie Mallard and Daisy Mallard, His Wife v. Aluminum Company of Canada, Ltd., Obbie Mallard, Daisy Mallard, His Wife v. The M/v "Germundo", a Finnish Flag Vessel, Her Engine, Tackle and Appurtenances, Etc. In Rem Rederiaktiebolaget Gustaf Erikson and Consolidated-Bathurst Limited, in Personam, Defendants- Obbie Mallard and Daisy Mallard, His Wife v. The M/v "Germundo," Etc.

634 F.2d 236 (Fifth Circuit, 1981)

Mallard v. Aluminum Co. of Canada

634 F.2d 236 (Fifth Circuit, 1981)

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612 F.2d 971, 1980 U.S. App. LEXIS 20033, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/kerry-j-blanchard-and-patricia-m-blanchard-patricia-m-blanchard-v-ca5-1980.

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