Thompson v. Offshore Co.
This action was brought by the survivors of four American decedents who died when the No. 4 leg of the Drilling Rig GEMINI collapsed in the Gulf of Suez on October 8, 1974. The defendants stipulated liability, and the trial proceeded solely on the issue of damages. The Court made findings of fact regarding the decedents' backgrounds, earnings, and family situations, and applied general maritime law, the Jones Act, and the Death on the High Seas Act to determine pecuniary and nonpecuniary losses. The Court denied recovery for conscious pain and suffering prior to death due to lack of evidence and also denied claims for penalty wages under 46 U.S.C. § 596, finding Sections 621-628 to be the exclusive statutory remedy for deceased seamen's wages. Total damages awarded were $414,000.00, plus unpaid wages for each decedent.