Vernon v. United States

Stanley Vernon ("Vernon") appeals a grant of summary judgment in favor of the United States in his negligence suit against the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act ("FTCA"). Vernon argues the court erred because the United States does not qualify as a "statutory employer" under the South Carolina Workers Compensation Law, and is not entitled to the "exclusive remedy" defense found in that law. He further contends that because the South Carolina law is purely jurisdictional, it cannot serve as the underlying basis of a federal courts decision. The district court found that the United States is subject to South Carolina law, was Vernons statutory employer, and was entitled to assert the exclusive remedy defense. We agree, and for the reasons that follow, we affirm the district courts grant of summary judgment.