Chelentis v. Luckenbach S. S. Co.
United States Supreme Court
247 U.S. 372 (1918)
Chelentis (plaintiff), a seaman employed by Luckenbach S.S. Co. (defendant), broke his leg on deck during a storm, requiring amputation. He sued in New York state court on common-law negligence and improper-orders theories, without raising any claim about the ship's seaworthiness, medical care, or wages. After removal to federal court on diversity grounds, the district court directed a verdict for Luckenbach, and the court of appeals affirmed, applying maritime-law standards from The Osceola. Chelentis sought Supreme Court review.
Whether federal courts may develop federal common law governing admiralty and maritime injuries in the absence of controlling acts of Congress, and whether an injured seaman may instead rely on state common-law tort remedies.