Northern Insurance Co. of New York v. Chatham County, Georgia

547 U.S. 189, 126 S.Ct. 1689, 164 L.Ed. 367, 2006 AMC 913 (2006)

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Northern Insurance Co. of New York v. Chatham County, Georgia

United States Supreme Court
547 U.S. 189, 126 S.Ct. 1689, 164 L.Ed. 367, 2006 AMC 913 (2006)

CS

Facts

Chatham County (defendant) owned, operated, and maintained a drawbridge over the Wilmington River in Georgia. James Ludwig was piloting his boat in the river near the bridge and requested that the bridge be raised so that he could pass under it. The bridge malfunctioned, and part of the bridge fell on Ludwig’s boat, causing extensive damage. Ludwig submitted a claim to his insurance company, Northern Insurance Co. of New York (Northern) (plaintiff). Northern paid the claim and then sued Chatham County in federal court under admiralty jurisdiction, alleging that the county employees operating the bridge had been negligent. The county sought summary judgment under a theory of sovereign immunity. The district court granted summary judgment, holding that sovereign immunity extended to counties and municipalities. The court of appeals affirmed, and Northern appealed.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Thomas, J.)

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Casebooks

Admiralty

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