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Title 46 of the U.S. Code § 30302 - Cause of action

Full text of § 30302 from Title 46 of the United States Code.

§ 30302. Cause of action

When the death of an individual is caused by wrongful act, neglect, or default occurring on the high seas beyond 3 nautical miles from the shore of the United States, the personal representative of the decedent may bring a civil action in admiralty against the person or vessel responsible. The action shall be for the exclusive benefit of the decedent's spouse, parent, child, or dependent relative.

(Pub. L. 109–304, §6(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1511.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
30302 46 App.:761(a). Mar. 30, 1920, ch. 111, §1(a), 41 Stat. 537; Pub. L. 106–181, title IV, §404(a)(1), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 131.

The words "Subject to subsection (b) of this section" are omitted as unnecessary. The words "3 nautical miles" are substituted for "a marine league" for clarity. The words "United States" are substituted for "any State, or the District of Columbia, or the Territories or dependencies of the United States" because of the definition of "United States" in chapter 1 of the revised title. The words "bring a civil action" are substituted for "maintain a suit" for consistency with rule 2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.). The words "for damages" are omitted as unnecessary. The words "in the district courts of the United States" are omitted as unnecessary because of 28 U.S.C. 1333. The words "person or vessel" are substituted for "vessel, person, or corporation" because of 1 U.S.C. 1. The word "responsible" is substituted for "which would have been liable if death had not ensued" to eliminate unnecessary words.

About This Section

46 U.S.C. § 30302 is part of Title 46 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

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