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An aviation accident lawyer can assist you in obtaining compensation arising from aviation accidents or injuries sustained while in the airplane or terminal.
Airplane accidents can involve a wide range of aircraft, including commercial airliners, charter planes, private jets, helicopters, small planes, and other types of aircraft. Airline passenger injuries can occur both inside the plane and at the gate, such as turbulence-related injuries, falling luggage from overhead bins, burns from hot beverages or food, slips and falls in the aisle or lavatory, injuries caused by malfunctioning seats or tray tables, slips and falls on the jetway or in the terminal, injuries from malfunctioning escalators or elevators, and accidents involving airport shuttles or buses.
Airlines have an obligation to keep passengers safe by properly maintaining aircraft, providing adequate training for pilots and crew, complying with FAA regulations, ensuring safe boarding and deplaning procedures, and providing a secure environment in the terminal. Compensation for injured parties and families can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, disability or disfigurement, loss of consortium for spouses, and funeral expenses in case of wrongful death.
With the help of a skilled aviation accident lawyer like us, you can file claims against airlines for pilot or crew negligence, inadequate aircraft maintenance, and safety violations. We can also handle claims with insurance companies to secure just compensation, reach favorable settlements, and provide representation in legal proceedings when needed. In addition, claims can be brought against liable third parties, including manufacturers of faulty aircraft parts, airport authorities for hazardous conditions, and air traffic controllers for negligent actions.
Claims can be made for injuries, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other damages, including documenting the extent of injuries and damages, calculating current and future medical expenses, evaluating the impact on quality of life, and seeking compensation for emotional distress and trauma.
Protect Your Rights as a Passenger
In the event of an aviation accident, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducts a thorough investigation to determine the probable cause. This includes examining aircraft wreckage and flight data recorders, interviewing witnesses and surviving passengers, and reviewing maintenance records and pilot qualifications. The FAA may provide technical expertise and information on regulatory compliance as part of the NTSB investigation. Independent legal investigations may also be conducted to gather evidence for injury claims, but these are separate from the official NTSB investigation process. International investigations follow guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The investigation process typically consists of three phases: data collection, data analysis, and presentation of findings.
As an accident victim, you are entitled to access the NTSB reports, which can provide crucial evidence to support your legal claim for damages. These damages may include reimbursement for medical expenses, compensation for lost wages and diminished future earning potential, recognition of your pain and suffering, and acknowledgment of any permanent disability or disfigurement that has impacted your quality of life. In the tragic event that you lost a loved one in the accident, you may have the right to pursue compensation for funeral and burial costs, the loss of their financial contributions and household assistance, the deprivation of their companionship, guidance, and emotional support, and the profound mental anguish and grief experienced by surviving family members.
Be aware that insurance companies and airlines may try to take advantage of accident victims by pressuring them to give up their legal rights. They might push victims to sign away their right to sue, accept low settlement offers, or claim they're not covered. Victims may be misled about what signing documents means, offered money to forfeit their rights, given inadequate settlements that don't cover long-term needs, or made to sign non-disclosure agreements. The severity of injuries might be downplayed, and victims discouraged from getting a lawyer by suggesting claims are pointless. Responsibility for the accident may be denied on technicalities, or by arguing flying has inherent risks or that liability is limited by international treaties.
To protect your rights, contact a New York aviation accident lawyer like us to discuss your injury circumstances. We can assess the full extent of damages and compensation owed, negotiate with insurance companies and airline representatives, file lawsuits and pursue litigation when necessary, advise you on your legal rights and options, handle all communication with opposing parties, meet deadlines and requirements for filing claims, and represent you in court proceedings and settlement negotiations.
Not Every Airplane Accident is a Plane Crash
Slips, trips, and falls can occur due to wet or slippery surfaces in the aircraft or terminal, uneven or damaged flooring, poorly maintained staircases or ramps, and inadequate lighting or lack of handrails.
Flying objects such as luggage falling from overhead bins, unsecured items during turbulence, broken or malfunctioning overhead compartments, and projectiles caused by collisions or rough landings can also cause injuries.
Food poisoning may result from contaminated meals served on the aircraft, improper food handling or storage, inadequate food safety protocols, and lack of proper hygiene among food service staff.
Equipment malfunction, including faulty seatbelts or tray tables, malfunctioning entertainment systems, defective oxygen masks or life vests, and electrical or mechanical failures in the cabin, can lead to accidents.
Beltway injuries can be caused by sudden stops or jerky movements of the beltway, overcrowding or pushing on the beltway, lack of safety barriers or guardrails, and poor maintenance or defective beltway components.
Food cart injuries may involve collisions between passengers and food carts, spills of hot beverages or food items, loose or unsecured items on the food cart, and food carts tipping over during turbulence.
Terminal accidents can include slips and falls on wet or polished floors, escalator or elevator malfunctions, accidents involving airport shuttle buses or trains, and injuries caused by construction or maintenance work.
Asphyxiation may occur due to smoke inhalation from onboard fires, exposure to toxic fumes or chemicals, malfunctioning air conditioning or ventilation systems, and inadequate oxygen supply during depressurization.
Boarding injuries can happen as a result of falls while boarding or exiting the aircraft, injuries caused by defective or improperly operated jetways, accidents involving mobility assistance devices, and tripping over bags or other obstacles in the aisle.
If any of the above injuries occur, the victim may have the right to recover damages. Airport terminal owners and operators may be liable for failure to maintain safe conditions, inadequate security or crowd control measures, and negligent hiring or training of staff. Airlines and aircraft operators can be held responsible for failure to properly maintain aircraft and equipment, negligent crew members or ground staff, and violation of safety regulations and protocols. Manufacturers of defective products, such as defective aircraft components or systems, faulty airport equipment or facilities, and unsafe food or beverage products, may also be liable for injuries caused by their products.
A seasoned New York aviation acicdent attorney like us can conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the injury and determine the recovery owed by assessing the extent and severity of injuries, calculating medical expenses and future treatment costs, evaluating lost wages and earning capacity, and considering pain, suffering, and emotional distress. To build the strongest case for full compensation, we can identify all potentially liable parties, collect and preserve critical evidence, negotiate with insurance companies and defendants, and prepare for trial and courtroom presentation. With our contingency fee arrangement, you will not pay any fees unless you recover compensation. There are no upfront costs or out-of-pocket expenses, and we are only paid if you receive a settlement or verdict, aligning our interests in maximizing your recovery. We represent aviation accident victims throughout the state of New York, including all five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island), Long Island, and Upstate New York. Should you need assistance, you can call us at 212-233-1233 or send us an email at [email protected]. We are located in Midtown, Manhattan.
About the Author
Albert Goodwin Esq. is a licenced New York attorney with over 17 years of courtroom experience. His extensive knowledge and expertise make him well-qualified to write authoritative articles on a wide range of legal topics. He can be reached at 212-233-1233 or [email protected].
