Scott A. Taber v. Robert S. Maine, and United States of America

CALABRESI, Circuit Judge:

Twenty-six years ago, in Ira S. Bushey & Sons, Inc. v. United States, 398 F.2d 167 (2d Cir.1968), this court held that the United States Government was vicariously liable for damage to a drydock caused by a drunken sailor who was returning to ship from a night’s liberty. In his celebrated opinion, Judge Henry Friendly described the basis of respondeat superior as the “deeply rooted sentiment that a business enterprise cannot justly disclaim responsibility for accidents which may fairly be said to be characteristic of its activities.” Id. at 171. Even though the sailor…