Air travel accidents can be caused by human error, equipment malfunction, poor weather conditions, and sometimes a combination of these factors. If you’re injured in an air travel accident in California, you can be compensated for your medical treatment and other injury-related expenses. Take your case to an experienced Pasadena airplane accident attorney with the law firm of Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & Powell. Our Pasadena airplane accident lawyers can investigate the accident, explain your legal options, and if you file a personal injury lawsuit, we will protect your rights and advocate on your behalf for the compensation you need and the justice you deserve.
WE DETERMINE WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE
In air travel-related personal injury cases, the injured party must prove negligence, defective aircraft design or equipment, or some other failure to meet aircraft industry standards. Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & Powell will work with aviation experts and crash reconstruction specialists to determine the precise reason you were injured and to determine precisely who was responsible. Aviation accidents aren’t the only situations that can cause air travel injuries, however; some victims have been injured by luggage dropping from overhead compartments, extreme air turbulence, other passengers, and even crew personnel. Helicopters are now increasingly being used in southern California, and victims injured in helicopter crashes or in airplane accidents need a Pasadena personal injury attorneys with some knowledge of helicopter aviation and the particular laws governing helicopter flight.
What Responsibilities Do Airlines Have?
Finding someone to blame is not always simple; there are a number of parties who could potentially be at fault. Legislation put in place by the Federal Aviation Act means that all airlines are legally required to meet a high standard of operation. They are also held accountable for any negligence on the part of employees, though airlines themselves are not considered to be insurers of passenger safety. Nonetheless, it is crucial that the carrier does everything they can to reduce the chances of injuries occurring. This can be achieved through correct management and maintenance of the aircraft and equipment, ensuring that all staff are adequately trained, and following industry procedures and requirements.
Airlines take responsibility for inspecting their equipment and checking that it is safe to fly, as well as for appointing properly trained pilots and crew members, who are able to do their jobs and ensure the safety of passengers with every trip. The responsibility does not only lie with those in the air; ground personnel must also ensure the safe conduct of any aircraft, including carrying our thorough inspections to determine safety. In addition, the manufacturer or seller of the aircraft, or any of its equipment, may also be found liable for faulty equipment, if this fault causes a malfunction. Any repair workers who fix an issue could potentially be liable if they can be proven to have been negligent, and air traffic controllers are also on the line if they fail to recognize and report a dangerous situation, or warn pilots of hazards.
What Happens If I Am Injured?
In the event that you are injured during the course of a flight, and you can prove that the negligence, recklessness or intentional wrongful act of the airline or flight crew contributed directly to these injuries, then you may have a case to pursue a personal injury claim.
Under California law, there are four elements to help determine negligence:
- The defendant had a duty (to either commit an act or refrain from committing an act)
- The defendant breached this duty (was “negligent” in his or her duty)
- The defendant’s breach of duty caused the plaintiff’s injury(ies)
- The defendant’s actions were the proximate cause of the injuries (in other words, the defendant should have foreseen the dangers of his or her action or inaction)
- The plaintiff suffered actual damages (such as the cost of rehab, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.)
In the event that you are able to prove one of these aspects as part of your accident, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim.
SPEAK TO US FIRST
Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & Powell has more than three decades of experience advocating for accident victims in southern California. If you have been injured – or if you’re injured in the future – in an air travel accident, do not sign any document or agree to any settlement with an insurance company before speaking to an experienced Pasadena airplane accident lawyer. Get the trustworthy advice and representation you need. Call Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & Powell Law Office today at 626-208-9906 or contact us online right now to schedule a free initial consultation.