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