Sketoe v. Exxon Company, USA

REAVLEY, Circuit Judge:

This case presents the question of the back-up responsibility of a mineral lessee for longshoremen’s compensation for the employee of a drilling contractor. Donald Sketoe and the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (the Director) appeal an adverse decision of the Benefits Review Board (BRB), holding that Exxon was not obligated to pay Sketoe’s compensation benefits. Because of the difference between the contractual obligation of Ske-toe’s employer to Exxon and Exxon’s obligation to its lessor, we affirm.

I. Background

The United States Government executed an oil and…