1. Who is entitled to bring a lawsuit based on injuriy or death stemming from airplane accidents?



Absolutely. Commercial airlines and companies that charge people to fly in their planes or helicopters are considered “common carriers” and owe passengers the highest duty of care under the law to make sure that their travel is safe



4. Who can be held liable for airplane accidents?



Yes. Unless a passenger or the survivors of the passenger can prove that injury or death was caused by a commercial airline carrier’s willful misconduct, damages on any international flight are limited to $75,000. This limitation applies only to the airline and not to manufacturers or suppliers of the aircraft or other potential defendants. Further, a passenger cannot recover for a strictly psychological injury

6. What is the importance of a thorough investigation in an airplane accident case?



Plaintiffs are aided by a legal doctrine known as “res ipsa loquitor” which holds that there will be a presumption of negligence on the part of the airline or pilot if the plaintiff can establish that the accident is of a kind that ordinarily does not occur absent someone’s negligence; the accident was caused by an agency or instrumentality within the defendant’s exclusive control; and, the accident was not due to any voluntary action or contribution of the plaintiff. Almost every airplane crash fits this description; thus, proof in the case shifts to the defendant to prove that it acted reasonably

8. What damages are recoverable in aviation accident cases?

Except for international flights, the plaintiff who sustains an injury is entitled to recover damages for past and future medical expenses, past and future wage loss, past and future pain and suffering, and if it is deemed that conduct is bad enough, punitive damages (i.e., punishment damages against the defendant). If the passenger on the airplane dies, his or her heirs are entitled to recover full compensation for their economic losses that result from the passenger’s death as well as emotional distress damages which stem from the loss of society care and comfort of the decedent. If the survivors can prove that the plaintiff lived for a period of time between the negligent act and death, they can also bring an action for punitive damages

9. Do I need an attorney to bring an aviation case?

Almost always. In major airline crash cases, the airlines will often attempt to settle with the heirs before they retain attorneys. Experience dictates that the offers from the airlines are generally low. Most plaintiffs do much better retaining attorneys. Aviation litigation is very complex and there usually needs to be an investigation to ascertain fault. This will require a skilled attorney
