Edward Arthur v. Maersk, Inc. D/B/A Maersk Line Ltd. Dyn Corp. Technical Services D/B/A Dyn Marine Services the United States of America

OPINION OF THE COURT

FISHER, Circuit Judge.

From the high seas comes a question of federal civil procedure. After suffering a series of injuries while working as a merchant seaman, Edward Arthur sued his employers, Maersk, Inc., and Dyn Marine Services of Virginia, Inc., 1 for negligence under the Jones Act, 46 U.S.C. app. § 688. Only later did he realize that, because the companies were operating as agents of the United States Navy, the only proper defendant in the case was the United States. He sought and was granted leave to file an amended complaint naming the United States as a party, and…