Seaman v. A.P. Green Industries, Inc.

184 Misc. 2d 603, 707 N.Y.S.2d 299, 2000 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 126
CourtNew York Supreme Court
DecidedJanuary 27, 2000
StatusPublished
Cited by7 cases

This text of 184 Misc. 2d 603 (Seaman v. A.P. Green Industries, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New York Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Seaman v. A.P. Green Industries, Inc., 184 Misc. 2d 603, 707 N.Y.S.2d 299, 2000 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 126 (N.Y. Super. Ct. 2000).

Opinion

OPINION OF THE COURT

Helen E. Freedman, J.

Defendant Viad Corporation (Viad) moves for an order dismissing the complaint in this and 97 other personal injury actions, on the ground that plaintiffs’ claims are preempted by the Federal Locomotive Boiler Inspection Act (49 USC §§ 20701-[604]*60420903 [the BIA]). For'the reasons set forth below, the motion is granted.

In this action, plaintiff Joseph Seaman, a former railroad worker, alleges he contracted asbestos-related disease from inhaling dust from locomotive components while maintaining and repairing locomotives in railroad repair shops. Plaintiffs in the 97 other actions are also railroad workers alleging injury from asbestos in locomotive components. Plaintiffs sued under State common-law tort principles, including negligence, failure to warn and strict products liability.

Viad is the successor in interest to a now-defunct steam and diesel locomotive manufacturer, Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton. Movant contends that all claims against it should be dismissed, because, under the doctrine of Federal preemption, the BIA occupies the entire field of locomotive regulation and preempts all State laws affecting locomotive design, construction and material. The BIA, movant argues, bars State tort claims as well as legislation, and applies to locomotive manufacturers like Viad as well as to railroads. Vifid cites numerous cases from other jurisdictions in support.

In opposition, plaintiffs contend that the BIA “does not occupy the entire field of locomotive equipment.” As support for this contention, plaintiffs rely on a California case, Viad Corp. v Superior Ct. (55 Cal App 4th 330, 64 Cal Rptr 2d 136 [Ct App, 2d Dist, Div 4 1997]). Plaintiffs further claim that there is no conflict between their personal injury claims and any Federal regulations, and that the BIA only applies to operating locomotives in use and not nonoperational locomotives being repaired or maintained.

The BIA provides, in relevant part, as follows:

“A railroad carrier may use or allow to be used a locomotive or tender on its railroad line only when the locomotive or tender and its parts and appurtenances—

“(1) are in proper condition and safe to operate without unnecessary danger of personal injury.” (49 USC § 20701.)

In the seminal case of Napier v Atlantic Coast Line R. R. Co. (272 US 605 [1926]), the Supreme Court held that Congress, through the BIA, intended the Federal Government to occupy the field of locomotive safety. (Supra, 272 US, at 613.) Addressing the breadth of the Federal Government’s authority under the BIA, the Supreme Court found it extended “to the design, the construction and the material of every part of the locomotive and tender and of all appurtenances.” (Supra, 272 US, at 611.)

[605]*605The field preemption of the BIA applies not only to State legislative regulation, but also to State tort claims. (See, Oglesby v Delaware & Hudson Ry. Co., 180 F3d 458, 462 [2d Cir], cert denied sub nom. Oglesby v General Motors Corp., — US —, 120 S Ct 498 [1999] [holding that the BIA barred a “failure to warn” claim brought by railroad employee injured while trying to adjust a locomotive’s cab seat]; Springston v Consolidated Rail Corp., 130 F3d 241, 244-245 [6th Cir 1997], cert denied 523 US 1094 [1998] [BIA barred negligence claim for failure to install safety devices beyond those required by Federal law]; Law v General Motors Corp., 114 F3d 908 [9th Cir 1997] [BIA barred State products liability claim for defective brakes and engines].) Instead of tort claims, injured railroad workers must bring claims under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (45 USC § 51 et seq. [FELA]; see, Wabash R. R. Co. v Hayes, 234 US 86 [1914]). The BIA applies to locomotive and locomotive component manufacturers as well as railroad carriers. (See, Oglesby v Delaware & Hudson Ry. Co., 180 F3d, at 462 [holding BIA barred tort claim against locomotive cab seat manufacturer]; Law v General Motors Corp., 114 F3d, at 911-912 [locomotive brakes and engine manufacturer].)

Two California appellate courts have addressed the same issue of law raised in this motion: whether the BIA preempts State tort actions against manufacturers by railroad employees injured from exposure to asbestos-containing locomotive components. In Scheiding v General Motors Corp. (77 Cal Rptr 2d 339 [Ct App, 1st Dist, Div 2], review granted 79 Cal Rptr 2d 408, 966 P2d 442 [1998]),

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
184 Misc. 2d 603, 707 N.Y.S.2d 299, 2000 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 126, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/seaman-v-ap-green-industries-inc-nysupct-2000.