Sea-Land Services, Inc. v. Gaudet
United States Supreme Court
414 U.S. 573 (1964)
Relevant factsFree
Longshoreman Awtrey Gaudet won $140,000 from Sea-Land (defendant) for his own permanent disability, pain, and lost wages, then died ten days later; his widow Helen (plaintiff) then brought a separate wrongful-death action for loss of his support, services, and companionship, which the district court dismissed as barred by res judicata before the Fifth Circuit reversed.
IssueFree
Whether a wrongful-death action is barred by res judicata if the decedent already recovered for his or her injuries.