An Overview Of What Our Clients Can Expect

We understand that you likely do not know what to expect in terms of the process that will be followed, the extent of your individual involvement, and the length of time it takes from the beginning to the end of the factual investigation and the legal process. This will give you some insight, in broad strokes, into what to expect after you have retained our law firm.

Evidence Collection and Preservation

Sending written demands for evidence preservation
Obtaining radar tracking data, air traffic control transcripts, flight data, and cockpit voice recordings
Acquisition of aircraft logbooks, maintenance invoices, flight logs, and crash site photographs

Expert Team Assembly

We assemble a team of experts, generally including:

A certificated aircraft crash investigator
A specialist in the type of engine installed on the aircraft
A metallurgist and materials specialist
A meteorologist
An expert in aircraft flight path reconstruction

Whenever needed, we add an expert in air traffic control procedures. Along with the experts, we then review all the records and materials, including the aircraft’s logbooks, the flight path reconstruction, the photographs, and the air traffic control communications.

Preliminary Inspection

After the aircraft records are retrieved and the wreckage is preserved, we schedule a preliminary inspection that includes:

Detailed inspection of the aircraft wreckage
Disassembly of the engines
Segregation of components for further analysis

During this first inspection, components of particular interest are segregated and frequently shipped to a metallurgical and materials laboratory, where a follow-up inspection is conducted using advanced technologies, including use of a scanning electron microscope, CT scanning and materials analysis. Our lawyers are present at the inspections and meetings occur with the experts throughout the process, assessing findings as they track down the cause of the crash.

Opinion and Legal Claim

Following the disassembly and laboratory inspections, we are usually prepared to:

Render an opinion on the cause of the crash
Determine if there is sufficient basis to undertake a legal claim

Lawsuit Process

If we find sufficient grounds to pursue a lawsuit, we:

Begin the process of selecting the best jurisdiction and venue
Analyze the law of each state implicated in the case to determine the most favorable law

Once a lawsuit is filed it will generally take between one and two years, during which you can expect periodic updates and you are always welcome to call with questions and concerns. Your participation in the litigation process includes providing information to us, attending a deposition, and if necessary, attending trial. We do our best to make the process seamless for you and not to exacerbate the pain and grief you may already suffer.

Outcome Expectations

We can guarantee our best effort, but we cannot guarantee a favorable result. The legal system permits an accident victim to receive just and fair financial compensation when injuries or death are caused by the fault of another. It is our duty to ethically obtain the highest amount of fair and just compensation. We recognize the risks inherent to each case. We understand the strengths of proceeding to trial. Our experience is extensive, and we provide the benefit of our guidance to each of our clients.