The Death On the High Seas Act (DOHSA) is an act that provides protections for maritime workers and their families. The act allows the family to seek damages by filing a wrongful death lawsuit through a maritime injury lawyer if their loved one dies while on a vessel, as well as any aircraft traveling over the open seas.
The DOHSA also extends to passengers, like those found on cruise ships and airplanes. It also covers harbor workers, depending upon the circumstances regarding their death. If the DOHSA does not provide relief, there are other maritime laws and acts which often apply and provide similar relief.
The amount of compensation a surviving family can seek is dependent upon the circumstances of the death, the level of negligence by the responsible party, and other such factors. The DOHSA may cover the costs for funeral expenses, grief counseling, and any lost wages the deceased person would have earned.
To learn more about the DOHSA and its limitations, we encourage you to review the following infographic. If you lost a family member on the high seas, we recommend contacting us at Maintenance and Cure, part of Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P.
Our maritime injury lawyers are available 24/7 for you to speak to and find out what legal options you have available to seek damages against the responsible negligent party.
