InsideGov
Supreme Court · Decisions

Northbrook National Insurance Company v. Larry W. Brewer et al.

493 U.S. 6 · No. 88-995 · 1989 term · Rehnquist Court

Decided Nov 7, 1989 · argued Oct 4, 1989

Economic activity · Election of remedies: legal remedies available to injured persons or things

Majority opinion: Thurgood Marshall

The voteMajorityDissent

8–18 in the majority, 1 in dissent

1 dissent (8–1)

Reversed and remanded. Northbrook National Insurance Company won.

What this ruling means

Reversed and remanded: the Supreme Court overturned the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit and sent the case back to that court for further proceedings that follow the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Northbrook National Insurance Company was the petitioner, the side that asked the Supreme Court to review the case. “Won” means the Court gave that side the result it asked for.

From the Supreme Court Database. A justice who agreed with the result but not the reasoning counts in the majority.

Report a correction

Summary

The opening of the case’s Wikipedia article: what the case was about and what the Court held.

Wikipedia has no article on this case, so there is no summary.

Data notes

The text is Wikipedia’s (CC BY-SA 4.0), matched to the case by its citation, docket number or name and year, and is not checked against the opinion. The site keeps the article’s opening section, ending on its last full sentence. The one-sentence summary under the title is the Decisions list’s: Wikipedia’s own ruling sentence, or, tagged “AI-written”, one Claude wrote from this opening.

Report a correction

How the justices voted

Each justice who took part, placed by their Martin–Quinn ideology score for the 1989 term. Filled: the 8 in the majority. Hollow: the 1 in dissent. Colour is the party of the president who appointed them.

More liberalMore conservativeMedianMarshallBrennanStevensBlackmunWhiteKennedyO'ConnorScaliaRehnquist

Majority(8)

Dissent(1)

Data notes

Each justice’s vote and what they wrote are from the justice-centered file of the Supreme Court Database. “Wrote a concurrence” means the justice sided with the majority and wrote separately; a justice who dissented in part is counted on the side they took overall. A justice who wrote nothing is listed as joining their side.

Positions are each justice’s Martin–Quinn score for the case’s term, the same scores as the Ideology page: negative is more liberal, positive more conservative. A score sums up a justice’s votes across the whole term, so it says where they usually sit, not why they voted as they did here. The median line is the Court’s median justice that term.

Report a correction

The parties

Who brought the case to the Court, who answered it, and how it got there.

Petitioner
Northbrook National Insurance CompanyInsurance company, or surety
Respondent
Larry W. Brewer et al.Employee, or job applicant
Reached the Court by
Certiorari (the Court chose to hear it)
Data notes

The names are the two sides of the case’s title. The description under each is the Supreme Court Database’s category for that party, in its own wording. The petitioner is the side that asked the Supreme Court to review the decision below. “Why it was taken” appears only when the majority opinion says lower courts disagreed or were unsure about the question; reasons that would fit any case (“to resolve the question presented”, “an important question”) are left out.

Report a correction

The law at issue

The law the Court was asked to apply, and the kind of power it used to decide.

Provision
28 U.S.C. § 1332
Kind of law
Infrequently litigated statutes
Decided by
Statutory construction
Data notes

The Supreme Court Database codes the main constitutional provision, statute or court rule each case turned on, and the basis of the decision: judicial review of a federal or state law, interpreting a statute, supervising the lower courts, and so on. A case can rest on more than one. “Overruled” counts only where the majority opinion says so.

Report a correction

Timeline

What happened at the Court and how the case got there, newest first.

  1. Nov 7, 1989DecidedDecided · Decided 8–1: reversed and remanded. Northbrook National Insurance Company won.
  2. Oct 4, 1989ArguedArgued · Oral argument before the Court.
  3. Not datedTaken upTaken up · The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case (certiorari).
  4. Not datedCourt belowCourt below · Decided by the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit: affirmed.
  5. Not datedBeganBegan · The case began in the Texas Eastern U.S. District Court.
Data notes

From the Supreme Court Database: the court the case began in, the court whose decision the Supreme Court reviewed and what that court did, how the case came to the Court, and the dates of argument and decision. The database does not date the steps in the lower courts. Court names are the database’s.

Report a correction

Other decisions on the same issue

100 other argued cases since 1946 on election of remedies: legal remedies available to injured persons or things, newest first.

  1. Willard Stewart v. Dutra Construction Company543 U.S. 481Feb 22, 2005 · 543 U.S. 481Economic activity8–0Unanimous band

  2. Pacificare Health Systems, Inc., et al. v. Jeffrey Book et al.538 U.S. 401Apr 7, 2003 · 538 U.S. 401Economic activity8–0Unanimous band
  3. Norfolk & Western Railway Company v. Freeman Ayers et al.538 U.S. 135Mar 10, 2003 · 538 U.S. 135Economic activity5–45–4 band

  4. Norfolk Shipbuilding & Drydock Corporation v. Celestine Garris, Administratrix of the Estate of Christopher Garris, Deceased532 U.S. 811Jun 4, 2001 · 532 U.S. 811Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  5. El al Israel Airlines, Ltd. v. Tsui Yuan Tseng525 U.S. 155Jan 12, 1999 · 525 U.S. 155Economic activity8–18–1 band
  6. Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company v. Michael Buckley521 U.S. 424Jun 23, 1997 · 521 U.S. 424Economic activity7–27–2 band
  7. Metropolitan Stevedore Company v. John Rambo et al.521 U.S. 121Jun 19, 1997 · 521 U.S. 121Economic activity6–36–3 band
  8. Ingalls Shipbuilding, Inc., et al. v. Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Department of Labor, et al.519 U.S. 248Feb 18, 1997 · 519 U.S. 248Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  9. Marjorie Zicherman, etc., et al. v. Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd.516 U.S. 217Jan 16, 1996 · 516 U.S. 217Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  10. Yamaha Motor Corporation, U. S. A., et al. v. Lucien B. Calhoun, et al., Individually and As Administrators of the Estate of Calhoun, Deceased516 U.S. 199Jan 9, 1996 · 516 U.S. 199Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  11. Vimar Seguros Y Reaseguros, S. A. v. M/V Sky Reefer, Her Engines, etc., et al.515 U.S. 528Jun 19, 1995 · 515 U.S. 528Economic activity7–18–1 band
  12. Metropolitan Stevedore Company v. John Rambo et al.515 U.S. 291Jun 12, 1995 · 515 U.S. 291Economic activity8–18–1 band
  13. Antonio Mastrobuono and Diana G. Mastrobuono v. Shearson Lehman Hutton, Inc., et al.514 U.S. 52Mar 6, 1995 · 514 U.S. 52Economic activity8–18–1 band
  14. Consolidated Rail Corporation v. James E. Gottshall512 U.S. 532Jun 24, 1994 · 512 U.S. 532Economic activity6–36–3 band
  15. Bath Iron Works Corporation, et al. v. Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, etc., et al.506 U.S. 153Jan 12, 1993 · 506 U.S. 153Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  16. Southwest Marine, Inc. v. Byron Gizoni502 U.S. 81Dec 4, 1991 · 502 U.S. 81Economic activity8–0Unanimous band
  17. Carnival Cruise Lines, Inc. v. Shute et vir499 U.S. 585Apr 17, 1991 · 499 U.S. 585Economic activity7–27–2 band

  18. Mercedel W. Miles, Individually and As Administratrix of the Succession of Ludwick Adam Torregano v. Apex Marine Corporation et al.498 U.S. 19Nov 6, 1990 · 498 U.S. 19Economic activity8–0Unanimous band
  19. Sisson v. Ruby et al.497 U.S. 358Jun 25, 1990 · 497 U.S. 358Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  20. Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Company v. Nancy J. Schwalb and William McGlone493 U.S. 40Nov 28, 1989 · 493 U.S. 40Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  21. Monessen Southwestern Railway Co. v. Morgan486 U.S. 330Jun 6, 1988 · 486 U.S. 330Economic activity7–27–2 band
  22. Goodyear Atomic Corp. v. Miller et al.486 U.S. 174May 23, 1988 · 486 U.S. 174Economic activity6–27–2 band
  23. Chick Kam Choo et al. v. Exxon Corp. et al.486 U.S. 140May 16, 1988 · 486 U.S. 140Economic activity9–0Unanimous band

  24. United States v. Fausto484 U.S. 439Jan 25, 1988 · 484 U.S. 439Economic activity5–36–3 band
  25. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Co. v. Buell480 U.S. 557Mar 24, 1987 · 480 U.S. 557Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  26. Offshore Logistics, Inc., et al. v. Tallentire et al.477 U.S. 207Jun 23, 1986 · 477 U.S. 207Economic activity5–45–4 band
  27. United States v. Lorenzetti467 U.S. 167May 29, 1984 · 467 U.S. 167Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  28. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp. v. Pfeifer462 U.S. 523Jun 15, 1983 · 462 U.S. 523Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  29. Pallas Shipping Agency, Ltd. v. Duris461 U.S. 529May 23, 1983 · 461 U.S. 529Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  30. Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, United States Department of Labor v. Perini North River Associates et al.459 U.S. 297Jan 11, 1983 · 459 U.S. 297Economic activity8–18–1 band
  31. Foremost Insurance Co. et al. v. Richardson et al.457 U.S. 668Jun 23, 1982 · 457 U.S. 668Economic activity5–45–4 band
  32. Rodriguez v. Compass Shipping Co., Ltd., et al.451 U.S. 596May 18, 1981 · 451 U.S. 596Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  33. Potomac Electric Power Co. v. Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, U.S. Department of Labor, et al.449 U.S. 268Dec 15, 1980 · 449 U.S. 268Economic activity8–18–1 band
  34. Thomas v. Washington Gas Light Co. et al.448 U.S. 261Jun 27, 1980 · 448 U.S. 261Economic activity7–27–2 band
  35. Sun Ship, Inc. v. Pennsylvania et al.447 U.S. 715Jun 23, 1980 · 447 U.S. 715Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  36. American Export Lines, Inc. v. Alvez et al.446 U.S. 274May 12, 1980 · 446 U.S. 274Economic activity6–36–3 band
  37. Bloomer v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.445 U.S. 74Mar 3, 1980 · 445 U.S. 74Economic activity8–18–1 band
  38. Mobil Oil Corp. v. Higginbotham, Administratrix, et al.436 U.S. 618Jun 5, 1978 · 436 U.S. 618Economic activity6–27–2 band
  39. Robertson v. Wegmann, Executor, et al.436 U.S. 584May 31, 1978 · 436 U.S. 584Economic activity6–36–3 band
  40. Miree et al. v. Dekalb County, Georgia, et al.433 U.S. 25Jun 21, 1977 · 433 U.S. 25Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  41. Northeast Marine Terminal Co., Inc., et al. v. Caputo et al.432 U.S. 249Jun 17, 1977 · 432 U.S. 249Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  42. United States v. United Continental Tuna Corp.425 U.S. 164Mar 30, 1976 · 425 U.S. 164Economic activity7–18–1 band
  43. Intercounty Construction Corp. et al. v. Walter, Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Employees' Compensation, U.S. Department of Labor, et al.422 U.S. 1Jun 16, 1975 · 422 U.S. 1Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  44. Vella v. Ford Motor Co.421 U.S. 1Apr 15, 1975 · 421 U.S. 1Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  45. Scherk v. Alberto-Culver Co.417 U.S. 506Jun 17, 1974 · 417 U.S. 506Economic activity5–45–4 band
  46. Sea-Land Services, Inc. v. Gaudet, Administratrix414 U.S. 573Jan 21, 1974 · 414 U.S. 573Economic activity5–45–4 band
  47. Executive Jet Aviation, Inc., et al. v. City of Cleveland et al.409 U.S. 249Dec 18, 1972 · 409 U.S. 249Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  48. The Bremen et al. v. Zapata Off-Shore Co.407 U.S. 1Jun 12, 1972 · 407 U.S. 1Economic activity8–18–1 band
  49. Andrews v. Louisville & Nashville Railroad Co. et al.406 U.S. 320May 15, 1972 · 406 U.S. 320Economic activity7–18–1 band
  50. Victory Carriers, Inc., et al. v. Law404 U.S. 202Dec 13, 1971 · 404 U.S. 202Economic activity5–27–2 band
  51. Chevron Oil Co. v. Huson404 U.S. 97Dec 6, 1971 · 404 U.S. 97Economic activity7–0Unanimous band
  52. McClanahan v. Morauer & Hartzell, Inc., et al.404 U.S. 16Nov 8, 1971 · 404 U.S. 16Economic activity6–18–1 band
  53. U.S. Bulk Carriers, Inc. v. Arguelles400 U.S. 351Jan 13, 1971 · 400 U.S. 351Economic activity5–45–4 band
  54. Moragne v. States Marine Lines, Inc., et al.398 U.S. 375Jun 15, 1970 · 398 U.S. 375Economic activity8–0Unanimous band
  55. Hellenic Lines Ltd. et al. v. Rhoditis398 U.S. 306Jun 8, 1970 · 398 U.S. 306Economic activity5–36–3 band
  56. Nacirema Operating Co., Inc., et al. v. Johnson et al.396 U.S. 212Dec 9, 1969 · 396 U.S. 212Economic activity5–36–3 band
  57. Rodrigue et al. v. Aetna Casualty & Surety Co. et al.395 U.S. 352Jun 9, 1969 · 395 U.S. 352Economic activity8–0Unanimous band
  58. Crane v. Cedar Rapids & Iowa City Railway Co.395 U.S. 164May 26, 1969 · 395 U.S. 164Economic activity5–36–3 band
  59. Banks v. Chicago Grain Trimmers Assn., Inc., et al.390 U.S. 459Apr 1, 1968 · 390 U.S. 459Economic activity8–0Unanimous band
  60. Wyandotte Transportation Co. et al. v. United States389 U.S. 191Dec 4, 1967 · 389 U.S. 191Economic activity8–0Unanimous band
  61. Jackson v. Lykes Bros. Steamship Co., Inc.386 U.S. 731May 8, 1967 · 386 U.S. 731Economic activity7–27–2 band
  62. Walker v. Southern Railway Co.385 U.S. 196Dec 5, 1966 · 385 U.S. 196Economic activity6–36–3 band
  63. United States v. Demko385 U.S. 149Dec 5, 1966 · 385 U.S. 149Economic activity7–27–2 band
  64. Amell et al. v. United States384 U.S. 158May 16, 1966 · 384 U.S. 158Economic activity7–27–2 band
  65. Burnett v. New York Central Railroad Co.380 U.S. 424Apr 5, 1965 · 380 U.S. 424Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  66. Crider v. Zurich Insurance Co.380 U.S. 39Mar 1, 1965 · 380 U.S. 39Economic activity6–36–3 band
  67. Calbeck, Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Employees' Compensation, v. Travelers Insurance Co. et al.370 U.S. 114Jun 4, 1962 · 370 U.S. 114Economic activity6–27–2 band
  68. Richards et al. v. United States et al.369 U.S. 1Feb 26, 1962 · 369 U.S. 1Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  69. Kossick v. United Fruit Co.365 U.S. 731Apr 17, 1961 · 365 U.S. 731Economic activity6–36–3 band
  70. Nolan, Administrator, et al. v. Transocean Air Lines365 U.S. 293Feb 20, 1961 · 365 U.S. 293Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  71. Schilling v. Rogers, Attorney General363 U.S. 666Jun 20, 1960 · 363 U.S. 666Economic activity5–45–4 band
  72. Goett, Administratrix, v. Union Carbide Corp. et al.361 U.S. 340Jan 18, 1960 · 361 U.S. 340Economic activity5–45–4 band
  73. Hess, Administrator, v. United States361 U.S. 314Jan 18, 1960 · 361 U.S. 314Economic activity6–36–3 band
  74. Union Pacific Railroad Co. v. Price360 U.S. 601Jun 29, 1959 · 360 U.S. 601Economic activity6–36–3 band
  75. Pennsylvania Railroad Co. v. Day, Administrator360 U.S. 548Jun 29, 1959 · 360 U.S. 548Economic activity6–36–3 band
  76. United States v. 93.970 Acres of Land et al.360 U.S. 328Jun 22, 1959 · 360 U.S. 328Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  77. Patterson, General Administrator, et al. v. United States359 U.S. 495May 18, 1959 · 359 U.S. 495Economic activity7–27–2 band
  78. The Monrosa et al. v. Carbon Black Export, Inc.359 U.S. 180Mar 30, 1959 · 359 U.S. 180Economic activity5–45–4 band
  79. Kermarec v. Compagnie Generale Transatlantique358 U.S. 625Feb 24, 1959 · 358 U.S. 625Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  80. The Tungus et al. v. Skovgaard, Administratrix, et al.358 U.S. 588Feb 24, 1959 · 358 U.S. 588Economic activity5–45–4 band
  81. Hahn v. Ross Island Sand & Gravel Co.358 U.S. 272Jan 12, 1959 · 358 U.S. 272Economic activity5–27–2 band
  82. McAllister v. Magnolia Petroleum Co.357 U.S. 221Jun 23, 1958 · 357 U.S. 221Economic activity6–36–3 band
  83. Alaska Industrial Board et al. v. Chugach Electric Association, Inc., et al.356 U.S. 320Apr 28, 1958 · 356 U.S. 320Economic activity8–18–1 band
  84. Lake Tankers Corp. v. Henn, Administratrix354 U.S. 147Jun 10, 1957 · 354 U.S. 147Economic activity5–36–3 band
  85. British Transport Commission v. United States et al.354 U.S. 129Jun 10, 1957 · 354 U.S. 129Economic activity6–36–3 band
  86. Czaplicki v. the Hoegh Silvercloud et al.351 U.S. 525Jun 11, 1956 · 351 U.S. 525Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  87. Reed v. Pennsylvania Railroad Co.351 U.S. 502Jun 11, 1956 · 351 U.S. 502Economic activity5–45–4 band
  88. Southern Pacific Co. v. Gileo et al.351 U.S. 493Jun 11, 1956 · 351 U.S. 493Economic activity7–27–2 band
  89. Archawski et al. v. Hanioti350 U.S. 532Apr 9, 1956 · 350 U.S. 532Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  90. Wilburn Boat Co. et al. v. Fireman's Fund Insurance Co.348 U.S. 310Feb 28, 1955 · 348 U.S. 310Economic activity6–27–2 band

  91. Watson et ux. v. Employers Liability Assurance Corporation, Ltd. et al.348 U.S. 66Dec 6, 1954 · 348 U.S. 66Economic activity8–0Unanimous band
  92. Jacobson, Administratrix, v. New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Co.347 U.S. 909Feb 8, 1954 · 347 U.S. 909Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  93. Pope & Talbot, Inc. v. Hawn et al.346 U.S. 406Dec 7, 1953 · 346 U.S. 406Economic activity6–36–3 band
  94. Avondale Marine Ways, Inc. v. Henderson, Deputy Commissioner, et al.346 U.S. 366Nov 9, 1953 · 346 U.S. 366Economic activity8–0Unanimous band
  95. Lauritzen v. Larsen345 U.S. 571May 25, 1953 · 345 U.S. 571Economic activity7–18–1 band
  96. Pennsylvania Railroad Co. v. O'Rourke344 U.S. 334Jan 12, 1953 · 344 U.S. 334Economic activity5–45–4 band
  97. Johansen v. United States343 U.S. 427May 26, 1952 · 343 U.S. 427Economic activity5–45–4 band
  98. Pillsbury et al., Deputy Commissioners, v. United Engineering Co. et al.342 U.S. 197Jan 2, 1952 · 342 U.S. 197Economic activity6–36–3 band
  99. Desper, Administratrix, v. Starved Rock Ferry Co.342 U.S. 187Jan 2, 1952 · 342 U.S. 187Economic activity7–27–2 band
  100. American Stevedores, Inc. v. Porello et al.330 U.S. 446Mar 10, 1947 · 330 U.S. 446Economic activity7–27–2 band
Data notes

Every other orally argued case with a clear vote, from the 1946 term on, that the Supreme Court Database files under the same issue as this one. The database gives each case one issue from a list of about 270 (abortion, search and seizure of vehicles, the death penalty, and so on), whatever law it turned on.

Report a correction

Official record

Read the full opinion on Justia and the argument audio on Oyez. Case data from the Supreme Court Database, Version 2026 Release 01, through the 2025 term.