What is covered under the ‘Death on the High Seas Act’?

The Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) is a federal law that provides a form of compensation for families that suffer the death of a loved one while they were at sea. This law was created to protect the survivors of persons who die in fatal maritime accidents that take place on the high seas, which is defined as any waters more than three miles away from the coastline. Under this law, the survivors of a deceased person can seek compensation for the wrongful death of their loved one. Compensation can include damages for any lost wages that the deceased could have earned, any pain and suffering they may have gone through, and any funeral expenses that may have been incurred. The amount of damages that can be awarded depends on the circumstances of the case. The family of the deceased must prove that the death was due to the negligence of another person or entity in order to be eligible for compensation under DOHSA. Generally, this would include any acts of negligence that took place on a boat or other vessel, such as crew negligence, defective equipment, or hazardous conditions that could have been avoided. In California, the statute of limitations for bringing a DOHSA claim is two years from the date of death. Therefore, it is important for families of the deceased to seek legal advice as soon as possible after the incident in order to ensure that their claim is not barred by the statute of limitations.

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What is covered under the ‘Death on the High Seas Act’?

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