{"argument_date":"2019-03-25T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2019-03-25T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2018","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Waxman argued Congress took responsibility for seamen remedies.","Mr. Frederick argued punitive damages are available under maritime law.","argument_summary"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 13-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 20-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 20-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 23-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 13-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 23-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 23-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 11-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 11-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 8-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 8-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 30-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 30-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 12-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 12-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 6-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 6-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 30-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 30-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 7-10"}]}],"caption":"Dutra Group v. Batterton","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:20.076805Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether maritime law allows punitive damages for unseaworthiness claims.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 30-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 30-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-25"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2019-03-25T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2018","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/18-266.html","primary_docket":"18-266","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T17:54:12.670187Z","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":["This case tests the scope of remedies for injured seamen."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 30-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 30-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-25"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 25, 2019."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Dutra Group seeks to bar punitive damages for unseaworthiness claims.","Batterton seeks to allow punitive damages for unseaworthiness claims."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 30-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 30-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-25"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Dutra Group argues Congress replaced common law remedies with the Jones Act.","Batterton argues punitive damages remain available under general maritime law."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 30-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 30-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-25"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Sotomayor asked if unseaworthiness differs from ordinary negligence.","Justice Kagan asked how unseaworthiness actions evolved since the Jones Act."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 13-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 20-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 20-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 23-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 13-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 23-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 23-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 11-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 11-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 8-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 8-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 12-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 12-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 6-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 6-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 30-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 30-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 7-10"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The outcome defines the financial risk for vessel owners. It sets the compensation ceiling for injured seamen. It clarifies the boundary between statutory and common law remedies."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 30-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 30-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-25"}]},{"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 10, lines 13-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 13-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 20-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 20-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 23-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 23-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 13-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 23-28","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 23-28"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 11-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 11-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 8-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 8-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 12-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 12-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 6-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 6-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 30-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 30-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 7-10"}]}],"slug":"2018-18-266-dutra-group-v-batterton","term":"2018","title":"Can seamen recover punitive damages for unseaworthiness?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 30-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 28, lines 30-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 16-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2018/18-266_5536.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 16-25"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}