Chromy v. Lawrance

Opinion

YEGAN, J.

Anthony J. Chromy, administrator of the Estate of Ronald Allan Chromy, appeals from a defense judgment after a jury rejected his maritime wrongful death and survivor claims based on the Death on the High Seas Act (46 U.S.C. § 761 et seq.; DOHSA). We vacate the judgment and order the action dismissed because the trial court had no subject matter jurisdiction to try either claim. We reject appellant’s argument that Moragne v. States Marine Lines (1970) 398 U.S. 375 [26 L.Ed.2d 339, 90 S.Ct. 1772] (Moragne), and Offshore Logisitics, Inc. v. Tallentire (1986) 477 U.S. 207 [91…