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 Aircraft Accidents     

Travel by air is the safest mode of transportation. However, when a plane crashes it usually results in serious injury and death. This highly specialized area of the law is known as aviation liability and encompasses private, commercial and military aircraft. Aircraft accidents are generally caused by one of three factors: man, machine or environment. 

When man is at fault, liability may be attributed to the crew, aircraft owner or flight operator. When a machine fails the aircraft or aircraft component design and manufacturing company may be liable.

Environmental causes are usually weather-related; the fault in this case may lie with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) for not updating pilots on changing atmospheric conditions or for issuing unsafe flight directions.  .  

Practice in aviation liability requires in-depth knowledge and experience with the many facets of aviation.The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is the regulatory body that oversees all aircraft and flight operations. Federal Air Regulations, known as FAR’s, govern pilot licensing, aircraft certification and flight operations across the country. There are differing regulations for general aviation, airlines and other commercial flight operators. Additionally, each state also has a set of laws that govern claims filing and victim compensation. To add to the complexity of these situations, in any one airplane or helicopter crash there may be multiple and competing state laws which apply.

History of Success In Aviation Liability

Aviation liability has long been a key area of focus and success at Spohrer & Dodd. Our experience in representing passengers, pilots and crew members spans several decades. 

It includes private, military and commercial aircraft mishaps. Concentrated focus, training, expertise and strong outcomes in this specialized practice area have brought our firm a national reputation and cases around the globe. We are often called in by attorneys around the country to co-counsel on these challenging and complex cases.  

     
Aircraft Accidents

Several of our partners are FAA-licensed airplane or helicopter pilots and are certified by The Florida Bar as Aviation Specialists. As practitioners and advocates for aviation safety, we have the commitment, skill and resources to investigate and discover the cause of any aircraft accident.  We are prepared to aggressively represent the individuals and families affected by these occurrences anywhere in the world - no matter the nature of the accident or the type of aircraft involved.    

Our team uniquely includes a staff pilot and aviation expert who has more than 10,000 hours of multi-engine flight experience and holds an aircraft and powerplant maintenance certificate. In addition to consulting on cases and investigating accidents, Jim Ussery pilots the firm’s plane, across Florida and around the country -- wherever the case may take us.  On behalf of each client we also utilize our network of specialized experts, as relevant to the circumstances of the case.

$22.9 Million Jury Verdict on Behalf of Army Families Upheld By the U.S. Supreme Court 

Supreme Court

          

Our work over the years has contributed to the relative safety of air travel by exposing and removing hazards and unsafe practices. It has also resulted in multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients.

 Aircraft Accidents

One example of that is the Rhodes, et al. v. United Technologies, Inc. case that involved the crash of a Sikorsky Blackhawk helicopter on landing at Wiesbaden Army Airfield in Germany. The firm’s investigation disclosed an unrecognized design defect that lead to a $22.9 million-dollar jury verdict on behalf of injured and deceased Army personnel and their families. This verdict was upheld on appeal by the U.S. Supreme Court. 

For more information on the results in other firm Aircraft Accident Cases click here:

For additional information on Aircraft Accidents and Aviation Law, click on any one of the links below:

U.S. Department of Transportation, Aviation Consumer Protection Division 

Federal Aviation Administration

 
 
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