Case Name: RUNCI v. UNITED STATES
Court: United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1949-02-09
Citations: 82 F. Supp. 524
Docket Number: No. 1241
Parties: RUNCI v. UNITED STATES.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Supplement
Volume: 82
Pages: 524–525

Head Matter:
RUNCI v. UNITED STATES.
No. 1241.
United States District Court D. Massachusetts.
Feb. 9, 1949.
See also 82 F.Supp. 531.
Harry Kisloff, of Boston, Mass., for libellant.
William T. McCarthy, U. S. Atty., and Edward O. Gourdin, Asst. U. S. Atty., both of Boston, Mass., for respondent.

Opinion:
SWEENEY, Chief Judge.
This is an action to recover for the funeral- expenses incurred with relation to the death and burial of one George F. Kelley, a seaman employed aboard the Júbr erty Ship, John T. Holt. His death occurred six days after his discharge' from the Holt. Article 7 of the Shipowners' Liability Convention, Oct. 24, 1936, 54 Stat. 1693, 1699, upon which libellant relies for -this claim, states, "The shipowner shall be liable to defray burial expenses ip case of death occurring on board, or in case of death occurring on shore if at the time of his death the deceased person was entitled to medical care and maintenance at the shipowner's expense." Kelley's rights to medical care and maintenance, as con strued both under the Jones Act, 46 U.S. C.A. § 688, and the general maritime law, expired upon the termination of his employment with the ship. It was an incident to his employment and did not carry on after his discharge.
The libel is to be dismissed.