Federal Aviation Administration v. Cooper
Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10-1024 | 9th Cir. |
Nov 30, 2011 Tr.Aud. |
Mar 28, 2012 | 5-3 | Alito | OT 2011 |
Holding: The authorization of suits against the government for “actual damages” in the Privacy Act of 1974 is not sufficiently clear to constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity from suits for mental and emotional distress.
Judgment: Reversed and remanded, 5-3, in an opinion by Justice Alito on March 28, 2012. Justice Sotomayor filed a dissenting opinion, joined by Justices Ginsburg and Breyer. Justice Kagan took no part in the consideration or decision of this case.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Opinion analysis: The Court’s Privacy Act standard – neither inconceivable nor implausible (Alex Wohl)
- Argument recap: The Court’s Privacy Act rabbit hole (Alex Wohl)
- Argument preview: The Privacy Act and damages for distress (Alex Wohl)
Briefs and Documents
Merits Briefs for the Petitioner
Merits Briefs for the Respondent
Amicus Briefs for the Respondent
Certiorari-stage documents
- Opinion below (9th Cir.)