Askew v. American Waterways Operators, Inc.
United States Supreme Court
411 U.S. 325 (1973)

- Written by Alex Ruskell, JD
Facts
The State of Florida passed the Florida Oil Spill Prevention and Pollution Control Act, which imposed strict liability for any damage caused by an oil spill in Florida’s territorial waters and sought to recover losses to the state and private individuals. Several months prior, Congress enacted the Water Quality and Improvement Act of 1970, which imposed liability to recover the clean-up costs to the federal government for oil spills. American Waterways Operators, Inc. (American) (plaintiff) sued to enjoin enforcement of the Florida act, arguing that the Florida act was preempted by the federal act. The court ruled in American’s favor, and the State of Florida appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Douglas, J.)
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