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Plane Crash Lawsuit

Plane Crash Lawsuit

Plane crashes are almost always catastrophic to passengers, their families, and people around the crash site. These aviation accidents can be caused by pilot error, mechanical failure, weather, bird strikes, and other complications. If negligence was a factor in an airplane accident, victims may be eligible for financial compensation through a plane crash lawsuit.

What You Can Do & How a Plane Crash Lawsuit Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting airplane accident induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured in a plane crash, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Accident & Personal Injury Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

UPDATE: Asiana Airlines Flight 214 Boeing 777 Crash at SFO

June 6, 2013 — Nearly 200 people were injured and two 16 year-old girls died after a Boeing 777 crash-landed at San Francisco International Airport. Click here to read more.

Can I file a plane crash lawsuit?

Plane crash lawsuits can be filed by anyone who was injured in an aviation accident. If the accident resulted in death, the victim’s spouse or children (or a guardian of the child) may be eligible to file a claim. If there is no spouse or children, relatives of the deceased may be eligible.

Why do I need to contact a lawyer after a plane crash?

Federal law prohibits lawyers from contacting you within 45 days after a plane crash. However, you can contact a lawyer at any time to find out how much time you have to file a claim and whether you could be eligible for compensation.

Federal law also requires airlines to contact injured passengers and their families. In some cases, airlines will offer compensation to the victims of a plane crash. Before you accept compensation, it is a good idea to talk to a lawyer. Plane crashes are complex events, and a lawyer can help determine whether a person or organization could be held liable. Furthermore, you may be entitled to significantly more compensation than your airlines has offered to pay.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

The amount of time your have to file a lawsuit (“statute of limitations”) varies depending on the state where you live and whether the flight was international. If the flight was in the United States, you may have as little as one (1) year to file a claim. However, some states allow up to six (6) years for wrongful death lawsuits. If the flight was international, there is a two (2) year deadline, as established under the Montreal Convention. Generally, the sooner you contact a lawyer, the better.

Who is liable in a plane crash?

Determining liability in a plane crash depends on whether the accident was caused by negligence, and your lawyer must prove that someone’s failure resulted in your injury or your loved one’s death. You may be able to file a plane crash lawsuit against the pilot, commercial airline company, manufacturer, maintenance providers, airport operators, air-traffic control, or other parties responsible for your injuries.

How much money can I receive for a plane crash lawsuit?

On international flights, liability is governed by an international treaty called the Montreal Convention, which was adopted in 1999. If the airline is found at fault after an accident, the limit of liability is about $170,000 per passenger (as of 2009).

In the United States, each state has its own laws about what types of compensation and how much is available to the victims of plane crashes. States generally allow standard compensation for economic losses, but laws vary on whether you will be able to seek punitive damages and non-economic damages. Lawyers who are familiar with the laws in your state can explain what damages you might recover.

Compensation for a plane crash lawsuit may include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional injuries
  • Medical expenses (past and future)
  • Permanent injuries
  • Disability
  • Lost income or employment
  • Loss of consortium with your spouse
  • Wrongful death of your loved one
  • Punitive damages
  • And more

Do I have a Plane Crash Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting aviation and airplane induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured in an airplane accident, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Aviation Injury Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.

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