Atlantic Sounding Co. v. Townsend
| Atlantic Sounding Co. v. Townsend | |
|---|---|
 BNA ) 385; 2009 AMC 1521; 21 Fla. L. Weekly Fed. S 1004 | |
| Holding | |
| Because punitive damages have long been an accepted remedy under general maritime law, and because neither Miles v. Apex Marine Corp. (1990) nor the Jones Act altered this understanding, punitive damages for the willful and wanton disregard of the maintenance and cure obligation remain available as a matter of general maritime law. | |
| Court membership | |
| |
| Case opinions | |
| Majority | Thomas, joined by Stevens, Souter, Ginsburg, Breyer |
| Dissent | Alito, joined by Roberts, Scalia, Kennedy |
Atlantic Sounding Co. v. Townsend, 557 U.S. 404 (2009), was a decision by the
attorney's fees and punitive damages for the willful and wanton refusal of a shipowner to provide medical care to a seaman injured on the job. The Court's 5-4 opinion was delivered by Justice Clarence Thomas
.
The Court explained that Congress never used the words "pecuniary" or "non-pecuniary" to describe the damages available for personal injuries (injuries not causing death) under either the Jones Act or the Federal Employers Liability Act.[citation needed] Congress merely said "damages"; hence, any limitation on those damages to "pecuniary damages" was a creation of the courts, not Congress. The Court stated that it "will not attribute words to Congress that Congress did not say."
External links
- Text of Atlantic Sounding Co. v. Townsend, 557 U.S. 404 (2009) is available from: Cornell CourtListener Findlaw Google Scholar Justia Oyez (oral argument audio) Supreme Court (slip opinion) (archived)