Title 46ShippingRelease 119-73

§30307 Commercial aviation accidents

Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle III— - Maritime Liability › Chapter CHAPTER 303— - DEATH ON THE HIGH SEAS › § 30307

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Allows recovery for deaths in commercial aviation accidents on the high seas beyond 12 nautical miles from U.S. shore; punitive damages are barred, and the chapter doesn't apply at 12 nm or less. Nonpecuniary damages: loss of care, comfort, companionship.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §30307

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(a)In this section, the term “nonpecuniary damages” means damages for loss of care, comfort, and companionship.
(b)In an action under this chapter, if the death resulted from a commercial aviation accident occurring on the high seas beyond 12 nautical miles from the shore of the United States, additional compensation is recoverable for nonpecuniary damages, but punitive damages are not recoverable.
(c)This chapter does not apply if the death resulted from a commercial aviation accident occurring on the high seas 12 nautical miles or less from the shore of the United States.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 30307(a)46 App.:762(b)(2).Mar. 30, 1920, ch. 111, §§ 1(b), 2(b); as added Pub. L. 106–181, title IV, § 404(a)(2), (b)(2), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 131. 30307(b)46 App.:762(b)(1). 30307(c)46 App.:761(b). In subsections (b) and (c), the words “the United States” are substituted for “any State, or the District of Columbia, or the Territories or dependencies of the United States” because of the definition of “United States” in chapter 1 of the revised title. In subsection (b), the words “of a decedent” are omitted as unnecessary. In subsection (c), the words “if the death resulted from a commercial aviation accident occurring on the high seas” are substituted for “In the case of a commercial aviation accident, whenever the death of a person shall be caused by wrongful act, neglect, or default occurring on the high seas” for consistency with subsection (b) and to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “and the rules applicable under Federal, State, and other appropriate law shall apply” are omitted as unnecessary.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 30307

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Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73