Hensley (referred to in prior discussion) (2025 Legal Theory, SCOTU)
BrynoDC Coverage 4 videos
The Issue
• Whether the Yearsley doctrine immunizes a federal contractor from state tort liability when acting under validly conferred federal authority • Whether the Boyle defense preempts state tort claims against contractors who comply with reasonably precise government specifications • Whether the contractor's actions fell within the scope of federal authorization sufficient to trigger immunity
The Rules
A contractor acting pursuant to validly conferred federal authority is immune from state tort liability, provided the government validly authorized and directed the work.
Federal law displaces state tort law as to government contractors when the government approved reasonably precise specifications, the equipment conformed to those specifications, and the contractor warned the government of known dangers.
Any civil action commenced in state court against any person acting under a federal officer may be removed to federal district court.
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