Edward Arthur worked as a merchant seaman when he sustained injuries on four different ships. He sued his employers, Maersk, Inc., and Dyn Marine Services of Virginia Inc., for negligence under the Jones Act, also referred to as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. Later, Arthur realized that these companies operated as agents of the United States Navy, with the United States being the only proper defendant in the lawsuit. Arthur was granted leave to file an amended complaint, naming the United States as the responsible party