• The Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) of 1920 is a federal remedy for the death of sailors or others resulting from the negligence, strict liability, or unseaworthiness of the vessel and occurring on the high seas more than three nautical miles from shore. on a worldwide basis. Please note that those who die in an offshore air crash are also eligible for recovery under DOHSA. Litigation must be initiated within 3 years of the accident by a representative of all survivors of the deceased person. The damages awarded are based on actual monetary losses and do not apply to ordinary reimbursable expenses such as medical expenses and funeral expenses. In addition, the attendant negligence of the deceased may reduce, but not cancel, the reward.