The Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA), is a strong piece of legislative action that affords assistance for the families of workers who are killed by negligence, recklessness, or other types of wrongful acts while on a vessel in international waters.
There are several laws that oversee benefits regarding providing money for offshore and vessel workers and their families, including the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act, the Jones Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, and also general maritime laws. The DOHSA particularly pertains to the victims of a vessel that happen more than 12 nautical miles from the United States shores.
The DOHSA does not pertain to workers that are killed on offshore drilling rigs and platforms, as those accident types are covered through the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.
Money Under Death on the High Seas Act
The Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA), grants compensation benefits only to a spouse, children of the decedent, or other dependent relatives of the worker that was killed.
Money that can be collected is strictly economic and includes:
- Money for financial contribution
- Money for loss of nurture to dependent children
- Money for loss of household services
- Funeral expenses
The DOHSA does not grant money for loss of companionship, mental anguish, loss of support, or bereavement. The Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA), preempts other legislation that does provide money for those factors listed above, so again, money is limited to financial contribution, loss of nurture to dependent children, loss of household services, and funeral expenses.
Death on the High Seas Act Claims
To file a Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) claim, the claimant must be a personal representative of the person/worker that killed. Typical claims include deaths linked to a ship capsizing, a ship sinking, a fire on a vessel, an explosion on a vessel, airplane crashes, helicopter crashes, disasters related to defective equipment, accidents related to improper training of employees, and accidents related to the improper application of safety procedures.
The New Orleans Death on the High Seas Act lawyers at the Testa Law Group protect the legal rights of maritime workers and their families. Our lawyers work on what is known as a contingency-fee basis, meaning the Testa Law Group does not get paid money unless we win money for you. Moreover, you pay no expenses or costs associated with your case, we handle all of those expenses, and you can rest easy knowing that we are fighting for you to get paid.
Talk with a Dedicated Death on High Seas Act Lawyer
If a loved one has died at sea, then you should talk with an experienced and dedicated Louisiana maritime lawyer at the Testa Law Group to schedule a free consultation with a dedicated Louisiana maritime lawyer please call (877) 780-9052.
About The Author
Mr. Testa a Personal Injury Lawyer with a national practice who represents members of our society who have been seriously injured or killed due to the irresponsible acts of an individual or company. He is licensed to practice law in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida and admitted to practice in the Southern District of Texas and also in the United States Court of International Trade.