DOHSA-Common Causes of Wrongful Death at Sea

Posted by: rzehl
June 16, 2008
Topic: Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA)

The untimely death of a loved one is a traumatic experience for the entire family. In order to better understand how something like this might happen, here are a few common causes of wrongful death at sea. First, the sinking, or capsizing, of the vessel can occur due to inclement weather, ship defect, operator error or any number of other reasons. Second, a fire or explosion at sea can result from onboard petroleum storage or the inadequate maintenance of the vessel. Third, an accident can occur from the improper handling of cargo. Fourth, crane, winch and tow line accidents can occur from faulty equipment or improperly-trained personnel. Lastly, a failure to provide prompt medical attention in the event of an emergency can happen because of a lack of functioning emergency equipment or qualified personnel.

If you have lost a loved one to the perils of the sea, contact an experienced DOHSA attorney at the Texas maritime law firm of Fitts Zehl, LLP by email at info@gulfcoastmaritimelawyer.com or by phone at (800) 993-4887.

Web Resources

Houston Jones Act Attorney
Houston Car Accident Attorney
U.S. Courts
United States Chamber of Commerce
FirstGov
Library of Congress
Yahoo!Legal Blog Directory