Opinion ID: 1201113
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Survivors' Cause of Action.

Text: Appellants assert that, even if Bertelmann, as administrator of Decedent's estate, cannot maintain an action, Decedent's Survivors can recover under an independent cause of action for wrongful death pursuant to HRS § 663-3 (1985). [4] This point, however, was not raised below in the pleadings, memorandum in opposition to the motion to dismiss, or in the hearing on the motion to dismiss. Appellants are thus improperly arguing a new issue on appeal for the first time. A judgment will not ordinarily be reversed based on a theory an appellant failed to raise at the trial level unless justice so requires. Earl M. Jorgensen Co. v. Mark Construction, Inc., 56 Haw. 466, 540 P.2d 978 (1975). Because the existence of the Survivors' cause of action is of public importance and does not require additional facts, though, we will consider this issue. See Fujioka v. Kam, 55 Haw. 7, 514 P.2d 568 (1973). Appellants' proposition that Decedent's Survivors, as plaintiffs in a wrongful death action under HRS § 663-3, may recover even though Decedent's estate cannot, is clearly misplaced. The majority rule is that a plaintiff in a wrongful death action can only recover if the tortious harm the decedent suffered would have entitled the decedent to maintain an action against the defendant. Anderson v. Gailey, 97 Idaho 813, 555 P.2d 144 (1976). That is, if the decedent's recovery was barred, so are his or her survivors' wrongful death action. Id. In Nolan v. Morelli, 154 Conn. 432, 226 A.2d 383 (1967), the decedent died after consuming too much liquor, and the plaintiff brought suit against the defendant liquor sellers. Because the decedent had no cause of action against the defendants, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled the plaintiff, standing in the decedent's shoes, also lacked one. Id. The Survivors' loss of love and affection claims under HRS § 663-3 are derivative. See Hun v. Center Properties, 63 Haw. 273, 626 P.2d 182 (1981). As such, since Decedent had no cause of action against Sheraton Hotel, the Survivors cannot pursue their wrongful death action. See Towse v. State, 64 Haw. 624, 647 P.2d 696 (1982), and Doi v. Hawaiian Insurance & Guaranty Co., 6 Haw. App. ___, 727 P.2d 884 (1986) (if a party cannot maintain a personal injury claim, then the spouse's derivative consortium action must also fail). Accordingly, no wrongful death action accrued. [5] Affirmed.