Doty v. United States

FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

SHADUR, District Judge.

These consolidated actions were brought by three widows, individually and as Special Administrators of the Estates of their respective husbands (Charles Doty, “Doty”; Terry Winters, “Winters”; and Thomas Schlatter, “Schlatter”; 1 collectively “decedents”) who lost their lives in a boating accident on the Mississippi River June 22, 1977. That accident occurred when Schlatter’s boat, from which all three decedents were fishing, capsized in Gate 6 2 below Lock and Dam 13 near Fulton, Illinois.

Although this is only a summary,…