Sara Castaneda
Hospitality Law
Case Study Paper
Yamaha v. Calhoun
Natalie Calhoun was vacationing with family and friends at a beach-front resort where she
was killed riding a jet ski in the waters off Puerto Rico on July 6, 1989. The jet ski she had
rented called “WaveJammer” was manufactured and distributed by petitioners Yamha. While
riding the jet ski Natalie had slammed into a vessel anchored in the waters off the hotel frontage,
and was killed. Natalie’s parents decide to sue Yamaha invoking Pennsylvania’s wrongful death
and survival statutes.
The Calhouns wanted recovery due to negligence, strict liability, and breach of implied
warranties. The family also sought damages for lost of future earning, society, funeral expenses,
and punitive damages. Yamaha on the other hand argued that the federal maritime wrongful
death action this court recognized in Moragne v State Marine Lines Inc. provided the fair amount
