Manhattan Airplane Crash

While crashes of jets operated by major airlines are rare and receive worldwide media attention, hundreds of people die each year in crashes involving other types of aircraft such as small, private planes, balloons, and gliders. When planes crash, there are rarely survivors. Survivors are typically left with catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage resulting in paralysis, and amputations. Such injuries require extensive treatment and long recovery times, causing victims to miss weeks or months of work. Others find that they are unable to ever return to work due to permanent debilitating injuries. The families of lost loved ones are left emotionally devastated and many also suffer financially. If you were injured in an airplane accident, it is important to consult with an experienced Manhattan airplane crash lawyer as you may be entitled to significant compensation for the losses you and your family suffered.

Legal liability for an airplane crash

Just like any other type of accidents, airplanes crash for a variety of reasons. In most cases the accident occurred because someone was negligent.

• Bad weather. When the weather is bad planes are often grounded. However, if the weather turns unexpectedly, or if the plane is struck by lightning, the result may be that the plane crashes.
• Air traffic controller error. When air traffic controllers fail to properly perform their responsibilities, tragic accidents can occur.
• Pilot error. Pilots must make countless decisions as they navigate a plane to its destination. Bad weather, mechanical problems, and other out-of-the-norm issues, require the pilot to have to make even more decisions. A miscalculation or misjudgment at any point can ultimately lead to a crash.
• Mechanical problem. Planes are extremely complex. If there is a failure of a critical system, even the most experienced pilot may not be able to avert a crash.
• Defective design. Manufacturers of airplanes and airplane parts have the legal duty to make sure that planes are safe. Failure to do so may result in a plane crash leaving the manufacturer and the operator open to liability under the theory of product liability.

Types of damages

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is charged with investigating airplane crashes. Determining the cause of an airplane crash is difficult and typically takes months of investigation and analysis.

In order to receive compensation for the injuries you suffered in an aviation accident, you need to determine who was at fault. The result of the investigation may determine that the responsible party is the airline, the manufacturer of the airplane, the air traffic controllers, the pilot, other airline staff, airport staff, third-party contractors, or another passenger.

Through a personal injury or wrongful death claim there are a variety of types of compensation to which you may be entitled based on the losses you suffered. Examples include:

• Medical expenses. Treatment of serious injuries is costly. Emergency room treatment and hospital fees alone can be thousands and thousands of dollars. The fees are even more if surgery and other costly treatment is necessary.
• Lost wages. Lost wages includes not only missed paychecks, but other types of income missed because of the airplane accident. If you are never able to return to work, then you can demand payment for loss of future earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering. As evidenced by physical pain, depression, irritability, inability to sleep, fear, stress, and sadness. Regardless of the type of aircraft involved in the accident, those who live through airplane accidents are often traumatized and suffer emotional challenge even as their physical injuries heal.
• Wrongful death. Many people do not survive airplane crashes. If a family member dies you may be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death claim.

Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates

Airplane accidents are quite complex, requiring an understanding of federal aviation law. In addition, investigation of an airplane crash often takes months. To ensure that your legal rights are protected and that your case is properly handled, it is vital that you are represented by attorneys with experience. Contact the attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss the details of your case. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.