Hassinger v. Tideland Electric Membership Corp.

781 F.2d 1022 (1986)

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Hassinger v. Tideland Electric Membership Corp.

United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
781 F.2d 1022 (1986)

Facts

Stanley Hassinger and three companions were sailing in two sailboats off the coast of North Carolina. One of the sailboats, while being beached, hit a live electrical line. Three of the men, including Hassinger, were electrocuted and died. At the time the boat hit the power line, the boat was below the mean high-water mark. The administrators of the estates of the men who died (plaintiffs) sued Tideland Electric Membership Corporation (Tideland), the owner of the power line, and the companies that had manufactured and sold the boat (defendants). The administrators sued in district court under the theory that the federal courts had admiralty jurisdiction over the action. Tideland filed a motion to dismiss, claiming that admiralty law did not apply and, accordingly, that the district court did not have subject-matter jurisdiction over the action. The district court denied Tideland’s motion, and Tideland appealed.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (McMillan, J.)

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Casebooks

Admiralty

Key Terms