UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ON-LINE

HESS V. UNITED STATES, 361 U. S. 314 (1960)

361 U. S. 314

U.S. Supreme Court

Hess v. United States, 361 U.S. 314 (1960)

Hess v. United States

No. 5

Argued October 15, 1959

Decided January 18, 1960

361 U.S. 314

Syllabus

In an action against the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act to recover for the wrongful death of an employee of an independent contractor engaged to perform repairs to the Bonneville Dam, which is owned and operated by the United States, it appeared that his death resulted from drowning in navigable waters of the Columbia River within the State of Oregon.

Held: the right of action for wrongful death created by the Oregon Employers' Liability Law may be invoked to recover for a maritime death in that State without constitutional inhibition. The Tungus v. Skovgaard, 358 U. S. 588. Pp. 361 U. S. 314-321.

259 F.2d 285, judgment vacated and cause remanded.


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