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Aviation accidents are complex and involve many issues including air traffic control readings, witness interviews, radar readings, aircraft instrument readings and the state of the passengers and crew. In addition, aviation accidents often involve multiple jurisdictions. Our airplane accident lawyers are highly skilled and well respected in aviation law litigation. We strive to protect clients’ interests, identify the truth and determine the responsibility of aviation disasters. Each aviation accident lawyer at Colson Hicks Eidson understands the commitment and type of extensive resources necessary to win substantial injury settlements from airlines, aircraft manufacturers, airline insurers and other responsible parties.
Our team of aviation accident lawyers is unique among law firms nationwide in that we have tried complex products liability claims arising from plane crashes in and outside of the U.S. The firm has successfully litigated dozens of high profile aviation cases against major aviation companies, including Boeing Aircraft, Airbus, McDonnell Douglas Aircraft, Hughes Helicopters and Hughes Manufacturing, Cessna, Piper as well as Beech Craft Aviation.
Many aviation accident lawyers at our firm have also represented families spanning from practically every corner of the globe, including the U.S., Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, Jamaica, Mexico, Chile, Peru and Ecuador. Additionally, we often work in conjunction with local attorneys nationwide and outside the U.S.
Colson Hicks Eidson has an unmatched record of accomplishment.
We know what it takes to help clients join an ongoing class action. Our class action lawyers are leaders in bringing lawsuits, including:
BP Gulf Oil Spill: A class action lawyer from our law firm was appointed to serve on the Plaintiff Steering Committee (PSC) in the multidistrict litigation surrounding the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill. In March 2012, the PSC secured a monumental settlement for hundreds of thousands of victims of the 2010 oil spill. Under the terms of the settlement, BP must satisfy fully all eligible business and individual claims. There is no cap on the amount BP will pay. The value of the settlement has been estimated at $7.8 billion.
Defective Chinese Drywall: As part of the Plaintiff Steering Committee, our law firm has been instrumental in securing multiple settlements on behalf of hundreds of homeowners with homes affected by tainted Chinese drywall. This includes:
$800 million to $1 billion settlement with Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin, a major manufacturer of defective drywall imported from China
$55 million Florida class action settlement with Banner Supply Company, a Miami-based firm that supplied the vast majority of Chinese drywall in Florida
$80 million class action settlement with insurance companies for many of the builders and installers of the toxic material
Premium Sales, Largest Mass Fraud Case in South Florida: Our class action law firm served as co-lead trial counsel on behalf of defrauded investors in the class action Premium Sales lawsuit. This was the largest mass-fraud case in South Florida history. The case settled after the start of the trial for $170 million.
Ford-Firestone/Ford Rollovers: Class action and defective auto attorney Lewis S. “Mike” Eidson served as co-lead counsel in the Ford/Firestone multidistrict litigation involving tire tread separations and rollovers of Ford Explorers. To date, our Florida class action attorney has handled more than 40 accident cases involving Firestone tires for more than 200 claimants.
Menorah Gardens Cemeteries/Service Corporation International: Our firm’s class action litigation team achieved a $100 million settlement against Menorah Gardens Cemeteries and its parent company Service Corporation International, the nation’s largest funeral home operator. The 15,000 member class action case and individual cases settled on behalf of families whose loved ones allegedly had graves desecrated or had been buried in the wrong cemetery plots. In addition, the defendants agreed to provide in-kind services with a value in excess of $10 million as part of the settlement.
Do you feel you might have a class action case and you do not know where to begin? Speak with our class action lawyers today for a free consultation.
If you lost loved ones in a plane crash or helicopter crash, we can investigate your claim, determine who was at fault and seek justice on your behalf, across continental boundaries if necessary. Contact an aviation accident lawyer today by calling 305-476-7400 or by sending us an outline of your case. We have the experience, knowledge and record of success necessary to represent your claim.
There are generally two types of aviation cases that you will hear of:
There may be various parties that can be held liable to injured parties in the aftermath of an aviation accident. In some cases, the owner or operator of the aircraft may certainly be held liable if the incident can be traced to pilot error or the negligence of the owner or operator. Additionally, manufacturers and maintenance suppliers of the aircraft may also be held liable if the circumstances indicate that an engineering or mechanical failure was to blame for the incident.
In extreme situations, the federal government or state authorities may choose to impose criminal sanctions on those involved in an aviation accident. In general, investigations into the causes of an aviation accident can take months or even years, and criminal charges are only filed if the circumstances show that someone was criminally negligent and this negligence led to the accident.
In aviation accident litigation (and accident litigation more generally), a “statute of limitations” refers to the amount of time plaintiffs have to file lawsuits in the aftermath of the incident. The applicable time limits will depend on where the accident occurred, where the lawsuit is filed (state or federal court or an international tribunal), and other circumstances. It is important to consult with an experienced attorney to understand what the time limits for filing a lawsuit are in your case.
Damages recovered by a plaintiff in the aftermath of an aviation accident are generally similar to those that are recoverable in the aftermath of other types of incidents (e.g., car, truck, or railroad accidents). However, the type of compensation that is recoverable depends on the applicable law (or in some cases, international treaty such as the Montreal Convention), which in turn will depend on the jurisdiction where the plane crash occurred, among other considerations. Again, it is important to work with an experienced attorney who has experience with aviation accidents to understand what type of compensation you may be entitled to in your case.
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in an aviation accident, or if you have lost a loved one in a tragic aviation crash, seek assistance from an attorney as soon as possible. At Colson Hicks Eidson, our nationally recognized personal injury team is ready to help you handle your case. Our attorneys have experience handling tragic aviation accidents both inside and outside of the United States. We have handled a large number of complex international injury cases. When you need help with your aviation accident in Florida, throughout the US, or internationally, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling us at 305-476-7400.
