Yearsley v. W.A. Ross Construction Co.

·1940

What the Court Decided

Held that a private contractor building dikes under government direction could not be held liable for resulting property damage, because the contractor was performing the government's work within lawful authority.

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Cited In

GEO Group v. Menocal

2025 Term · 24-758

The foundational case at the center of this dispute. It established that government contractors acting within Congress's constitutional authority and in compliance with federal directions are protected from suit — the key question is whether this protection is an 'immunity from suit' or a 'defense to liability.'