October Term 2007 · Docket 07-219
Can a shipowner limit punitive damages for an employee's reckless spill?
Exxon seeks a cap on punitive damages for the Valdez spill. Baker argues maritime law allows full compensation for reckless conduct.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Dellinger argued the spill was a historic environmental tragedy.
Fisher argued the lower court rulings align with mainstream tort law.
Dellinger denied Exxon expected or approved the specific reckless act.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 23-47 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 23-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-11 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 3-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 35-9 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 35-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 11-29 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 11-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 47-11 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 47-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 47-15 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 47-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 13-27 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 27-43 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 27-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-3 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 33-15 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 33-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-49 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-49
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests whether maritime law limits punitive damages for corporate negligence. Exxon argues a one-year cap applies. Baker argues full compensation is required for reckless acts.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 23-47 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 23-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 33-15 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 33-15
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 27, 2008.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 25-33
What each side wants
Exxon wants a cap on punitive damages for employee negligence.
Baker wants full punitive damages for reckless corporate conduct.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 23-47 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 23-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 33-15 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 33-15
What each side says
Exxon argues maritime law limits punitive damages to one year's wages.
Baker argues general tort law allows full compensation for recklessness.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 23-47 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 23-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 33-15 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 33-15
What the justices asked
Justice Souter questioned why maritime rules differ from other industries.
Justice Kennedy asked if a captain leaving despite weather is managerial.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-11 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 3-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 35-9 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 35-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 11-29 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 11-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 47-11 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 47-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 47-15 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 47-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 13-27 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 27-43 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 27-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-3 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-49 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-49
Why it matters
This dispute defines the financial risk for corporate negligence in shipping. It sets the standard for compensating victims of environmental disasters. It balances corporate liability against employee misconduct.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 23-47 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 23-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 33-15 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 33-15
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-11 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 3-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 29-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 29-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 35-9 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 35-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 11-29 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 11-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 47-11 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 47-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 47-15 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 47-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 13-27 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 13-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 27-43 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 27-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-3 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-49 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-49
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 23-47 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 23-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 33-15 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 33-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 23-47 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 23-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 33-15 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 33-15
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.