Legislation that would help rectify injustices to the family members of mariners killed at sea has been introduced in the Senate. S. 3600, The Fairness in Admiralty and Maritime Law Act, is sponsored by Jay Rockefeller (D-WV). It would amend the Death on the High Seas Act (1920) to allow families to be compensated for non-pecuniary (grieving, loss of companionship) damages for a loved one lost on international waters. It would also amend the Limitation of Liability Act of 1851 (LOLA) to exempt claims for personal injury, wages and death by a vessel owner and allow for fishing vessel claims.This is a modification of the original bill introduced on July 15 which would have repealed LOLA altogether.
Congress is set to go on August recess next Friday, August 6, so contact your representatives now while the Deepwater Horizon (DH) crisis is still in the news cycle. Do this for the DH widows and others recklessly killed offshore.
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