This is yet another case where someone dies on a jet ski; in this case, in South Lake Tahoe. Just like the jet ski case I discussed back in 2009, this is yet another case in which the Ninth Circuit applies the federal Shipowner’s Limitation of Liability Act and holds that the owner of the jet ski is only liable to the injured person for, at most, the value of the jet ski.
So, here, the dead person gets, at most, $5000.
This is, of course, absurd.
I know that this request will fall upon deaf ears. But would someone in Congress please file a bill to amend the statute so it doesn't apply to stupid jet skis; or, for that matter, any other tiny little vessel. A plethora of small boats are already exempt from the statute. It's crazy that jet skis -- which are tiny but do not carry "passengers for hire" -- are nonetheless covered.
But, I get it, it's only some dead people and their families. Why would Congress at all care about that.
