Mobil Oil Corp. v. Higginbotham, 436 U.S. 618 (1978)
U.S. Supreme Court
Mobil Oil Corp. v. Higginbotham, 436 U.S. 618 (1978)
Mobil Oil Corp. v. Higginbotham
No. 76-1726
Argued January 10, 11, 1978
Decided June 5, 1978
436 U.S. 618
Syllabus
In an action for wrongful death on the high seas, the measure of damages is governed by the Death on the High Seas Act, 46 U.S.C. § 762, which limits a decedent's survivors' recovery to their "pecuniary loss," and hence the survivors are not entitled to recover additional damages under general maritime law for "loss of society." Pp. 436 U. S. 620-626.
545 F.2d 422, reversed and remanded.
STEVENS, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which BURGER, C.J., and STEWART, WHITE, POWELL, and REHNQUIST, JJ., joined. MARSHALL, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which BLACKMUN, J., joined, post, p. 436 U. S. 626. BRENNAN, J., took no part in the consideration or decision of the case.