Aviation Accidents

Representing the injured, the wronged and their families

The most recent available statistics from the National Transportation Safety Board reported 1,837 accidents involving 1,861 aircraft in the United States alone. Of these accidents, 345 were fatal and 596 people were killed. U.S.-registered aircraft were involved in 46 accidents outside the country resulting in 15 fatal crashes and 40 deaths in 17 different countries and territories. (National Transportation Safety Board. 2004. U.S. General Aviation, Calendar Year 2000. Annual Review of Aircraft Accident Data NTSB/ARG-04/01. Washington, D.C.)

In general, most people don’t worry about aviation accidents and their resulting injuries. A. G. Lamplugh of the British Air Corps in WWI said, “Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect.”

The inherent danger in an aviation action lies in the high velocities and high altitudes at which most aircraft travel. These accidents result in grievous personal injury and wrongful death, especially if there was a manufacturing design defect or the aircraft was not properly maintained or if safety standards were not met.

Cases Handled
The attorneys at Cory Watson Crowder & DeGaris have successfully participated in the litigation of several significant air crash matters around the world. Founding partner Ernest Cory represented the families of every one of the 219 passengers aboard a commercial airliner that crashed shortly after takeoff in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Mr. Cory was able to obtain settlements for the families against the airline and the plane manufacturer.

Mr. Cory also represented the family of an Air National Guard Captain who died on a routine training mission when the engine of this Air Force jet exploded. Mr. Cory and his partner, Annesley H. DeGaris, filed suit against the manufacturer of the engine, claiming that the company did not build the engine to the standards required by the Air Force. The settlement was the first successful suit ever brought against the defendant involving this engine.

In another aviation case, Mr. Cory represented the families of twenty-three Honduran citizens who died in an aviation accident as the plane was preparing to land in Honduras. The case was settled for much more than the applicable Warsaw Convention limitations in force. The Warsaw Convention limitations stipulate that $75,000 is the maximum monetary award for ‘accidents’ in international flights. This limit, however, does not apply to the “willful misconduct” of an airline.

In addition to air crash cases, Cory Watson have litigated a wide array of aviation-related personal injury, wrongful death, and property damage claims arising from turbulence, passenger and crew misconduct, boarding and deplaning, medical emergencies, and overhead compartment incidents. Our attorneys have also handled personal injury claims arising from ground handling, fueling, cargo handling, airport operations, airfield equipment, gate, ramp, and hangar incidents.

1. Auto Accident
2. Aviation Accident
3. Brain Injury
4. Class Actions
5. Defective Building Design
6. Defective Highway Design
7. Defective Medical Device
8. Defective Product
9. Drug Injuries
10. Environmental
11. Fire & Burn Injury
12. Motorcycle Accident
13. Nursing Home Abuse
14. Ortho Evra®
15. Premises Liability / Slip & Fall
16. Truck Accident
17. Workers Compensation
18. Wrongful Death

Attorneys, please complete the following form to be contacted by Cory, Watson, Crowder and DeGaris Attorneys at Law.

Best Time to Call
Select One Morning Daytime Evening

Cory Watson Crowder & DeGaris, P.C.
2131 Magnolia Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35205
Phone: 800-852-6299
Local Phone: (205) 328-2200
Fax: (205) 324-7896