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Nassau County Airplane Crash

With all the modern advances in aviation in the past 50 years, flying has become a safe method of transportation. Yet, airplane crashes still occur causing major physical injuries and emotional trauma. While plane crashes are rare when they do occur they are often catastrophic. Indeed, unlike with car accidents, bike accidents, slip and fall accidents and other types of accidents, with an airplane crash there are rarely survivors. Those who survive often suffer serious physical and psychological injuries. Such injuries may include a back injury, broken bones, paralysis, a head injury or a brain injury. Such injuries require extensive treatment and long recovery times. Recovering victims often miss weeks or months of work. Others never return to work because their injuries are permanent. The families of lost loved ones are left emotionally devastated and may also suffer financially. If you are in need of a personal injury lawyer because you or a loved one was injured in an airplane crash or in an incident on an airplane or at an airport, it is important to consult with an experienced Nassau County airplane crash lawyer who will review the facts of your case and explain to your legal options for pursuing compensation for your losses.

Common causes for airplane crashes

Because aviation is inherently complex and highly technical, there are many possible causes for airplane crashes. Common causes include:

  • Design defect. A defective design or the use of defective materials can lead to metal fatigue, cracking, or failure of critical components, causing the airplane to crash.
  • Instrument failure. With a critical instrument such as the attitude indicator, altimeter or autopilot fails, the result can be catastrophic.
  • Poor maintenance. An aircraft which is not properly maintained can fail and crash.
  • Pilot error. Some airplane crashes are caused by a pilot failing to operate the aircraft properly or using poor judgment.
  • Air traffic control errors - Errors on the part of air traffic controllers can lead to disaster.
  • Fuel mismanagement - Fuel mismanagement often results in crashes.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has the responsibility of investigating airplane crashes. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also aid airplane crash investigations.

In addition to the rare airplane crash, there are many incidents on airplanes and in terminals that result in injury. In-flight turbulence as well as rough landings sometimes leave passengers with back and head injuries. There are also accidents related to the food service equipment, mobile stairways used to embark and disembark from airplanes, as well as slip and fall accidents on tarmacs and in jetways that lead to passenger injury. Passengers who are injured under any of these circumstances may also be entitled to compensation.

Types of damages

The law allows victims and families of victims of airplane crashes to seek damages from the negligent parties through personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits. There are potentially a variety of types of damages that a plaintiff could seek. For example, seriously injured plane crash victims will undoubtedly face substantial medical expenses and may be unable to work for an extended period. Some typical expenses include medical bills from doctors, fees from the hospital, ambulance service, and emergency room, and costs of prescriptions, medical equipment, and rehabilitation services. Furthermore, the trauma of the accident could leave psychological damage necessitating months and even years of counseling.

Lost wages damages may go beyond being compensated for the weekly or monthly paychecks you missed. You can also seek compensation for missed bonuses, missed promotions, and other missed benefits and opportunities associated with our job.

Besides medical expenses and lost wages, there may be other compensable losses such as pain and suffering. Pain and suffering is a legal term that encompasses not just physical pain, but also emotional and mental suffering such as fear, grief, worry, inconvenience and the loss of the enjoyment of life.

Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates

An airplane crash is a traumatic event, and the physical and emotional pain from this event can be life changing. Furthermore, airplane crash lawsuits are complicated, involving complex legal and factual issues, from establishing the cause of such accidents, to proving negligence and causation, to legal issues of what law to apply and which courts have jurisdiction. Pinpointing the negligent party requires a highly specialized set of skills and expertise. 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.

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