Nacirema Operating Company, Inc. v. Johnson (1968)
- Docket
- 9
- Decided
- 1968-01-01
- Category
- General
Summary
Question: Are injuries to longshoremen that occur on piers permanently affixed to shore compensable under the Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act? Conclusion: No. Justice Byron R. White, writing for a 5-3 majority, reversed the Fourth Circuit. The Act’s language determines coverage by the location of the injury, navigable waters, rather than rather than an individual’s status as a longshoreman performing maritime contracts. While the Extension of Admiralty Jurisdiction Act extends admiralty tort jurisdiction to ship related injuries on a pier, it does not extend the Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Justice William O. Douglas dissented, arguing that the Act was status oriented and covered all injuries sustained by longshoremen in the course of their employment. Justice Hugo L. Black and Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. joined in the dissent.