Sprietsma v. Mercury Marine, a Division of Brunswick Corp.

Summary

Justice Stevens delivered the unanimous opinion holding that the Federal Boat Safety Act does not pre-empt state common-law damages claims alleging that an outboard motor was defective because it lacked a propeller guard. The Act’s express pre-emption clause addresses legislative and regulatory enactments, not common-law claims, and its saving clause preserves common-law liability. The Coast Guard’s decision not to require propeller guards did not establish a federal policy against them, and neither the statutory scheme nor its interest in uniformity displaced these common-law remedies. The Court reversed the Illinois Supreme Court and remanded without deciding the merits or viability of the claims under Illinois law. There were no separate opinions.