When Air Meets the Sea: Applying Maritime and Admiralty Law to Commercial Aviation Accidents

Washingtonians and Alaskans regularly utilize both air and sea transport while traveling abroad or to reach destinations across the state. When death or injuries occur, it can be difficult to determine what legal forum to use or statute to apply. Federal case law has established that maritime law or statutes like the Death on the High Seas Act can be used by injured parties seeking compensation, regardless of the form of transportation. The recent Korean airline accident off the coast of the San Francisco Bay recalls prior federal decisions assessing how to apply maritime law to commercial aviation accidents.

The Asiana Airlines Flight 214 was an international flight that crashed on the runway of the San Francisco International Airport, which is located right beside the San Francisco Bay. Commercial airline flights may be subject to maritime jurisdiction, depending on whether there is a significant relationship to maritime activity. The Supreme Court assessed what must occur to invoke federal admiralty jurisdiction in Executive Jet Aviation, Inc. v. City of Cleveland, 409 U.S. 249 (1972). In this case a plane was flying from Cleveland, OH to a U.S. domestic location, and crashed into Lake Erie after a flock of seagulls flew into the plane. The aircraft sank in the lake, and the owners sued the city for property damage, arguing that maritime law applied since the plane sank in the navigable waters of the lake.

The Supreme Court veered from the lower courts’ use of the “Locality Test”, which looks at whether the wrong and injury complained about took place on the high seas or navigable waters. Instead, the court looked at instances in the history of maritime law where those injured on land were permitted recovery. Maintenance and cure, or living and medical expenses, can be recovered by those injured in the course of employment for a boat, regardless of whether it was on sea or on land. Likewise, if a vessel is deemed unseaworthy, and the unseaworthiness causes an injury on land, recovery is available under maritime law. The Supreme Court also pointed out that Congress extended the Admiralty Jurisdiction Act to include all property and personal damage caused by a vessel on navigable waters on land and on sea. Ultimately, the court looked at these legislative and judicial examples as a model to view the relationship of the injury-causing wrong to traditional maritime activity.

The experienced Washington maritime and admiralty law attorneys, John Merriam and Gordon Webb, know how to assess the complexities of your case to determine what maritime law remedies are available. Even if your injuries occurred on land, relief may be available under admiralty jurisdiction. Whether you are a crew member of a vessel or a tourist on a cruise liner, our attorneys are here to find the compensation you deserve. For a free, confidential consultation, call one of our Washington offices at 425.454.3800 for our Bellevue office and 206.729.5252 for our Seattle office.

Client Reviews

John has helped me get my pay. He REALLY went up to bat for me, I can't recommend him highly enough.

Jamie

There are very few people I trust in this world but John Merriam is at the top of my list he not only is a man of outstanding character and morals as well as honest but he truly cares about his clients well being and situation…

Matthew

I lost most of my vision from an accident at sea. Gordon handled my case with motivation and haste that I could imagine would have been the way he would have handled it if it had been him who was injured. I was ver impressed by how much he cared and especially his work ethic.

Andrew

Gordon helped me and family get through a very hard time. I was severely injured, and Gordon was able to settle my case for more than i was hoping for. If anything else happens he will be the first person I call.

Kerrey

I very much appreciated the sense of urgency that Gordon Webb demonstrated as he handled my case. Emails and phone calls were returned almost instantly, questions were answered and solutions were offered. Gordon's firm came highly recommended and I am very pleased that I made the right choice to...

Maureen

Contact Us

  1. 1 Free Consultation
  2. 2 No Fee if No Recovery
  3. 3 Evening & Weekend Appointments Available
Fill out the form or call us at 877.800.1007 to schedule your free consultation.