Michael Gros v. Fred Settoon, Inc.

• Court: Louisiana Court of Appeal
• Decided: December 23, 2003
• Docket: CA-0003-0461
• Status: Unknown

Opinion

STATE OF LOUISIANA

COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT

03-461

MICHAEL GROS

VERSUS

FRED SETTOON, INC.

********** APPEAL FROM THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF ST. MARTIN, NO. 97-58097 HONORABLE KEITH J. COMEAUX, PRESIDING

********** SYLVIA R. COOKS JUDGE **********

Court composed of Sylvia R. Cooks, John D. Saunders and Jimmie C. Peters, Judges.

REVERSED.

Daniel J. Nail 102 B East Bayou Road, Suite 1 Thibodaux, LA 70301 (985) 447-5719 COUNSEL FOR APPELLANT: Michael Gros

Anthony F. Whitford D.C. Panagiotis, Ltd. 600 Jefferson Street, Suite 603 Lafayette, LA 70501 (337) 264-1516 COUNSEL FOR APPELLEES: Fred Settoon, Inc. and Settoon Construction, Inc. COOKS, Judge.

Michael Gros, appeals the trial court’s grant of partial summary judgment

dismissing his Jones Act claims for negligence, unseaworthiness, and maintenance

and cure because he received benefits under the Longshoreman’s and Harbor

Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), 33 USC 905(b). For the following

reasons, we reverse.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

On March 1, 1996, Michael Gros alleges he severely injured his back while

in the employ of Settoon, Inc., and on assignment to Settoon Construction, Inc.

Gros stated he injured his back while attempting to lift and hold up a heavy load

while working on a barge owned by Settoon Construction, Inc. The barge allegedly

shifted and rolled due to the weight and movement of the operation.

Alleging his status as a seaman, Gros subsequently made claims of

negligence, unseaworthiness, and maintenance and cure against Settoon

Construction under the Jones Act. Gros also filed a claim for vessel negligence

against Settoon Construction in its capacity as a vessel owner under the

Longshoreman’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), 33 USCS

§905(B). Gros had previously received an award of benefits pursuant to the

Longshoreman’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). At the

hearing to determine Gros’ entitlement to longshoreman’s benefits, the employer

argued Gros was a shore based worker entitled only to Louisiana Workers’

Compensation Act, La.R.S. 23:1021, et seq., benefits and that his maritime

employment was insufficient to qualify him for benefits under the LHWCA. The

Administrative Law Judge found Gros’ injury upon navigable waters was sufficient

-1- to qualify him for benefits under the LHWCA.

The Defendants (Settoon, Inc. and Settoon Construction, Inc.) filed a motion

for Partial Summary Judgment contending all of Gros’ claims based on seaman

status should be dismissed because of his voluntary receipt of LHWCA benefits.

Gros argued the question of seaman status was never litigated during the trial for

longshoreman’s benefits, and therefore, he was entitled to a determination of his

seaman status. The trial court granted the Defendant’s partial motion for summary

judgment and dismissed Gros’ Jones Act claims for negligence, unseaworthiness,

and maintenance and cure. The trial court, in oral reasons for judgment, stated:

But without – I think the language in most of the cases say with a formal award [of LHWCA benefits], which we have in this particular case, I think I’m probably – the United States Supreme Court has indicated . . . he is precluded from advancing the seaman claim and I’m going to rule that way and grant the summary judgment.

Gros appeals the trial court’s ruling.

ANALYSIS

In support of his argument that the trial court erred in granting defendant’s

partial motion for summary judgment, Gros directs this court to the Tulane Law

Review comment, The Overlap Preclusion Trap Between the Jones Act and the

Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, 76 Tul.L.Rev. 783, by

Victoria Holstein. That article notes the conflict currently existing among the

federal circuits on whether a formal award of benefits under the LHWCA precludes

a subsequent Jones Act suit. The article proposes that the LHWCA does not

mandate such a preclusive effect.

We are satisfied, during the administrative hearing to determine Gros’

entitlement to LHWCA benefits, seaman status was not at issue. The administrative

-2- law judge dealt only with Gros’ right to compensation under the Louisiana

Workers’ Compensation Act versus his right under the LHWCA.

Gros notes that any award to him as a Jones Act seaman would be reduced

by the benefits paid to him under the LHWCA. Thus, there is no problem with

double recovery and no basis for collateral estoppel exists.

In Southwest Marine Inc. v. Gizoni, 502 U.S. 81, 112 S.Ct. 486 (1991), a

foreman for a ship repair operation sought and received voluntarily paid benefits

under the LHWCA as a result of injuries he sustained while working on a floating

platform owned by his employer. He later filed a Jones Act claim against the

employer. The federal district court granted summary judgment because Gizoni

was not a seaman and, as an enumerated worker under the LHWCA, he was

precluded from bringing his action. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal reversed,

holding Gizoni’s status was an issue of fact and, because the LHWCA does not

cover seaman, he might have been eligible for a Jones Act award. Gizoni v.

Southwest Marine, Inc., 909 F.2d 385 (9th Cir.1990).

The United States Supreme Court affirmed the Ninth Circuit ruling, holding

the two statutory compensation regime are mutually exclusive and that a maritime

worker is limited to LHWCA remedies only if no genuine issue of fact exists as to

whether he is a Jones Act seaman. The court noted “[b]y its terms the LHWCA

preserves the Jones Act remedy for vessel crewman, even if they are employed by

a shipyard.” Southwest Marine, 502 U.S. at 89. The Supreme Court emphasized

the seaman status inquiry is fact-specific and is dependent upon the claimant’s

“employment-related connection to a vessel in navigation.” Id. at 88. In rejecting

the employer’s argument that receipt of voluntarily paid LHWCA benefits

-3- precludes a subsequent claim under the Jones Act, the Court stated:

It is by now “universally accepted” that an employee who receives voluntary payments under the LHWCA without a formal award is not barred from seeking relief under the Jones Act. This is so, quite obviously, because the question of coverage has never actually been litigated. Moreover, the LHWCA clearly does not comprehend such a preclusive effect, as it specifically provides that any amounts paid to an employee for the same injury, disability, or death pursuant to the Jones Act shall be credited against any liability imposed by the LHWCA. (Citations omitted.)

Id. at 91-92.

In the aftermath of Gizoni, the federal circuits have split in their

interpretation of the absence of prior litigation over seaman status and

congressional intent underlying the LHWCA. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal

in Sharp v. Johnson Bros. Corp., 973 F.2d 423 (5th Cir.1992) limited Gizoni’s

application to cases involving voluntarily paid benefits.

In that case, Sharp was injured while repairing a railroad drawbridge from

aboard a barge chartered by his employer. The employer voluntarily began paying

Sharp LHWCA benefits. Subsequently, Sharp filed a Jones Act suit. The employer

then ceased paying LHWCA benefits, and Sharp filed a LHWCA claim. The

employer raised the defense that Sharp was a Jones Act seaman and thus not

eligible for LHWCA compensation.

The district court eventually granted a directed verdict against Sharp on his

Jones Act claim on the grounds he was not a seaman. Sharp appealed that decision

to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal. Prior to his appeal being heard, Sharp and his

employer settled his LHWCA claim. A final release was executed and an

administrative law judge approved the LHWCA settlement. The appellate court

heard argument on the appeal of the directed verdict, and no one representing any

-4- of the parties mentioned the settlement. The Fifth Circuit reversed the district

court, finding that a question of fact existed as to whether Sharp worked aboard a

fleet of vessels and was therefore eligible for seaman status. Sharp v. Johnson

Bros. Corp., 917 F.2d 885 (5th Cir.1990).

The district court subsequently granted summary judgment against Sharp,

holding as a result of the settlement he had elected his remedy and was precluded

from filing suit based upon the Jones Act. Sharp appealed that decision. In

affirming the district court’s judgment, the Fifth Circuit held that an approved

LHWCA settlement constituted a formal award that barred a Jones Act claim. The

Sharp court reasoned as follows:

It is beyond cavil that merely accepting voluntary payments under the LHWCA without a formal award does not bar a worker from filing a Jones Act suit. Here, though, Sharp obtained a settlement agreement and a compensation order issued by the ALJ. We have treated such an agreement and order as a “formal award.”

. . . .

It is true that LHWCA coverage was never litigated in an adversarial proceeding. But Sharp availed himself of the statutory machinery to bargain for an award, and he had the full opportunity to argue for (or against) coverage.

Sharp, 973 F.2d at 426.

The Sharp court found that a claimant was not barred from seeking two remedies,

but merely from receiving two awards, thus, imparting preclusive effect to the

settlement did not violate the claimant’s election of remedies. The court noted

“[t]he LHWCA was not designed to create a mere safety net, guaranteeing workers

a minimum award as they seek greater rewards in court.” Id. at 427.

In conflict with the Fifth Circuit’s approach in Sharp, the Ninth Circuit Court

-5- of Appeal held, in Papai v. Harbor Tug and Barge Co., 67 F.3d 203 (9th Cir.1995),

rev’d on other grounds, Harbor Tug and Barge Co. v. Papai, 520 U.S. 548, 117

S.Ct. 1535 (1997), that a claimant’s receipt of benefits under the LHWCA, after a

decision and order had been issued, did not preclude him from bringing a

subsequent Jones Act suit. After noting the “universally accepted” maxim that an

employee who receives voluntary payments under the LHWCA without a formal

award is not precluded from seeking subsequent relief under the Jones Act, the

Papai Court explained:

The distinction between Gizoni and the case at bar is that here plaintiff’s LHWCA claim was fully adjudicated before the ALJ who rendered a final decision. That the LHWCA claim was never actually litigated was the basis for the Gizoni Court’s holding that receipt of LHWCA benefits did not automatically preclude subsequent litigation under the Jones Act. However, the Court went on to recognize further support for its holding, which is applicable here: “Moreover, the LHWCA clearly does not comprehend such a preclusive effect, as it specifically provides that any amounts paid to an employee for the same injury, disability, or death pursuant to the Jones Act shall be credited against any liability imposed by the LHWCA” Id., at 91-91, 112 S.Ct at 494. The Supreme Court further stated in a footnote addressing an equitable estoppel argument made by amicus brief, “[w]here full compensation credit removes the threat of double recovery, the critical element of detrimental reliance does not appear. [Citations omitted.] argument by amicus would force injured maritime workers to an election of remedies we do not believe Congress to have intended.” Id., at 92, n. 5, 112 S.Ct. at 494, n. 5.

In determining whether the prior litigation of plaintiff’s LHWCA claim bars his subsequent Jones Act claim, we are mindful of the reasoning expressed by the Gizoni court and are further concerned with the fairness in imposing such a bar where it could work a disincentive on the part of the employer to vigorously litigate its defense in the LHWCA action. This is so because the parties are on the opposite sides of the seaman issue under the LHWCA as compared with their positions under the Jones Act. Furthermore, imposing such a bar would result in subjecting to suit an employer who immediately and voluntarily begins compensation payments while immunizing from suit an employer who forces his employee to seek compensation

-6- through litigation.

Recognizing that a bar to relitigation would not serve the purpose for which it is usually employed since the parties are forced to take inconsistent positions under the Jones Act and the LHWCA and extending the reasoning of the Gizoni Court to the next logical step, we hold that plaintiff’s litigation of his LHWCA claim does not bar his subsequent Jones Act claim.

Id. at 207-08.

In Figueroa v. Campbell Industries, 45 F.3d 311 (9th Cir.1995), a shipyard

worker who sustained injury while working aboard his employer’s boat, filed a

Jones Act claim after receiving both LHWCA and state workers’ compensation

benefits. The Ninth Circuit held that an approved LHWCA settlement does not

preclude a Jones Act claim because, “just as in Gizoni, the jurisdictional issue was

not previously litigated, and no finding in that regard was made at the

administrative level.” Id. at 315. The Figueroa court specifically rejected the

employer’s argument that an approved settlement necessarily meant a “finding was

implicitly made that Mr. Figueroa was ‘not a member of a crew’ and not a

‘seaman,’” and thus, Gizoni did not apply. The Figueroa court noted that Gizoni

emphasized that the justification for its decision was not that a formal award had

not been issued, but rather that double recovery under the two statutes is precluded.

Thus, the receipt of a LHWCA award, statutorily limited to compensation for

medical expenses and lost wages, would not preclude a Jones act claim for pain and

suffering. Id. at 316.

The three cases set forth above each present a different interpretation of the

Supreme Court’s opinion in Gizoni. The Sharp court essentially stated since Gizoni

-7- held a voluntary receipt of benefits would not bar a subsequent Jones Act claim, it

would impliedly follow that a formal award of LHWCA benefits would bar a

subsequent Jones Act claim. In Figueroa, the Ninth Circuit found the Gizoni

decision hinged on the fact that double recovery was prevented by the credit

provision in the LHWCA. It did not find relevant any distinction between the

voluntary receipt of LHWCA benefits and a formal award. In Papai, the Ninth

Circuit also held policy, legislative intent, and the wording of the LHWCA,

overcame any requirement to impart preclusive effect to a final award of benefits.

We have thoroughly reviewed the jurisprudence and find no cases in

Louisiana which have addressed the issue of whether a formal award of LHWCA

benefits would preclude the filing of a Jones Act claim. After examining the above

cited cases, we find the Ninth Circuit’s decision in Papai the best interpretation of

the Supreme Court’s decision in Gizoni, the wording of the LHWCA and

congressional intent. Papai concluded, and we agree, that Congress envisioned the

pursuit of both LHWCA and Jones Act claims, and Congress took measure to

prevent double recovery with the LHWCA’s credit provision.

We do note, although the LHWCA credit provision does ostensibly prevent

double recovery for the plaintiff, a real possibility exists that an employer may be

forced to engage in repetitious litigation. Despite this possibility, it seems apparent

to us that the credit provision of the LHWCA clearly indicates an intent on

Congress’ part to allow for recovery under both the LHWCA and the Jones Act.

Therefore, we reverse the trial court’s judgment granting the employer’s Motion for

Partial Summary Judgment and dismissing Gros’ Jones Act claims with prejudice.

-8- The employer argues even if it is concluded that seaman status must be

determined, in light of Gros’ work history “it is obvious that he cannot possibly

meet the seaman status criteria as a matter of law.” In support of this assertion, the

Defendants cite the administrative law judge’s decision on LHWCA benefits

wherein he stated “claimant spent at least 5-10% of his time in a covered activity,

a ‘not insubstantial’ amount of his work on navigable waters.” We find this

argument without merit. The administrative law judge’s opinion concerned only

whether Gros was a covered worker under the LHWCA. The administrative law

judge specifically stated Gros “spent at least five ot ten percent of his time in a

covered activity, which is enough to invoke coverage under the Act.” (Emphasis

added). Gros’ ability to prove seaman status under the Jones Act was not at issue.

DECREE

For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the lower court granting the

Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is reversed. All costs of this appeal are

assessed against Settoon, Inc. and Settoon Construction, Inc.

-9-