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Boyle v. United Technologies Corp.
United States Supreme Court
487 U.S. 500 (1988)
- Written by Sean Carroll, JD
Facts
A Marine was killed when his Marine helicopter crashed. Boyle (plaintiff), the Marine’s father, brought suit in federal court against the United Technologies Corporation (UTC) (defendant). UTC had a contract with the United States government to provide a certain type of escape hatch in the helicopter. The helicopter had that type of escape hatch, but Boyle’s complaint was that under Virginia state law, the duty of care for the escape hatch was higher and breached by UTC. The district court found in Boyle’s favor under Virginia law. The court of appeals reversed, again basing its decision on state law. Boyle appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Scalia, J.)
Dissent (Brennan, J.)
Dissent (Stevens, J.)
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