{"argument_date":"2009-03-02T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2009-03-02T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2008","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","paragraphs":["The seaman's counsel argued the claim is a general maritime law cause of action.","The company's counsel argued maintenance and cure is different from other maritime claims.","Justice Ginsburg noted the Court assumes the truth of the seaman's allegations at this stage."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 9-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 9-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 13-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 13-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 47-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 11-17"}]}],"caption":"Atlanatic Sounding Co. v. Townsend","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:26.558349Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"A seaman seeks punitive damages for a willful denial of maintenance and cure. The company argues maritime law bars such awards.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 9-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 9-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-49"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2009-03-02T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2008","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/08-214.html","primary_docket":"08-214","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T02:30:09.608177Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["The dispute centers on whether maritime law allows punitive damages for a willful denial of maintenance and cure. The seaman claims the company acted in bad faith. The company argues this specific claim does not support such damages."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 9-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 9-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-49"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 2, 2009."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The seaman wants the Court to allow punitive damages for a willful denial of maintenance and cure.","The company wants the Court to bar punitive damages for this specific maritime claim."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 9-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 9-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-49"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The seaman argues this claim is a general maritime law cause of action that supports punitive damages.","The company argues maintenance and cure is distinct from other claims and does not allow punitive damages."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 9-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 9-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-49"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Scalia asked if punitive damages require a finding of guilt that a winning litigant lacks.","Justice Ginsburg asked if courts have a remedy for litigants who abuse the court process with false pleadings."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 13-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 13-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 47-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 11-17"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the financial risk for companies that deny maintenance and cure. It sets the standard for punishing bad faith in maritime employment disputes. It clarifies the scope of punitive damages in general maritime law."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 9-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 9-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-49"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 9-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 9-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 13-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 13-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 47-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 47-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 37-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 11-17"}]}],"slug":"2008-08-214-atlanatic-sounding-co-v-townsend","term":"2008","title":"Can a seaman recover punitive damages for a willful denial of maintenance and cure?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 9-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 9-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/08-214.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-49"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}