Vito Valentino v. Rickners Rhederei, G.M.B.H., Ss Etha, and John W. McGrath Corporation, Intervenor-Appellant

MESKILL, Circuit Judge:

In 1972, Congress enacted a sweeping revision of the laws governing the work-related injuries of longshoremen in the amendments to the Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, 86 Stat. 1251 et seq., amending 33 U.S.C. §§ 901 et seq. (“the Act”). On this appeal, we are asked to determine if the Act sub silentio overruled a line of district court cases which relied on Fontana v. Pennsylvania R. R., 106 F.Supp. 461 (S.D.N.Y.1952), aff’d sub nom. Fontana v. Grace Line, Inc., 205 F.2d 151 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 346 U.S. 886, 74 S.Ct. 137, 98 L.Ed. 390 (1953).…