Aspinall v. McDonnell Douglas Corp.
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
625 F.2d 325 (1980)
- Written by Lauren Petersen, JD
Facts
Anthony Price perished in a plane crash in Paris. Price had never been married and had no children. However, for the four years prior to his death, Price had been cohabiting with Aspinall and her children. Price had made Aspinall the beneficiary of his will. Aspinall sued the manufacturers of the aircraft in which Price died—McDonnell Douglas Corporation and General Dynamics Corporation (defendants)—for wrongful death. The defendants moved for summary judgment, arguing that Aspinall did not have standing to sue, because she and her children were not Price’s heirs, as defined by California’s wrongful-death statute. The district court granted summary judgment to the defendants. Aspinall appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Chambers, J.)
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