Aviation Accident Lawyer
AVIATION ACCIDENT LAWYER – BROOKLYN, NY
Your flight should get you safely to your destination, not leave you or your family dealing with catastrophic injuries, permanent disability, or devastating loss. Aviation accidents are among the most complex personal injury cases in the law, involving multiple federal regulations, international treaties, and layers of corporate defendants who will fight aggressively to limit what they pay. Without the right legal team, injured passengers and grieving families are at a serious disadvantage.
Our Brooklyn attorneys have been fighting for seriously injured clients since 2008. We know how to take on airlines, manufacturers, and aviation companies, and we have the resources and determination to see these cases through. You pay nothing unless we win.
$45M+
RECOVERED FOR CLIENTS
2008
ESTABLISHED IN BROOKLYN
$0
FEE UNLESS WE WIN
After the Accident
What to Do After an Aviation Accident
Aviation accident cases move fast and involve powerful corporate defendants with experienced legal teams. Taking the right steps immediately protects your rights and your claim.
Seek Emergency Medical Care
Get treated immediately regardless of how you feel at the scene. Internal injuries, spinal trauma, and traumatic brain injuries may not present obvious symptoms right away. Every medical record from the moment of the accident forward is critical evidence.
Preserve All Documentation
Keep every document related to your flight including your ticket, boarding pass, baggage claim receipts, travel insurance policies, and any communications from the airline. Do not discard anything.
Document Your Injuries and Experience
Photograph all visible injuries as soon as possible. Write down everything you remember about the incident while it is fresh, including what you heard, felt, and observed before, during, and after the accident.
Do Not Accept Any Offer from the Airline
Airlines and their insurers may contact you quickly with settlement offers designed to resolve your claim before you understand its full value. Do not sign any release or accept any payment before speaking with an attorney.
Contact an Attorney as Soon as Possible
Aviation accident investigations involve the NTSB, FAA, and multiple corporate parties, all of whom begin preserving their own interests immediately. Having an attorney involved from the start ensures your rights are protected and evidence is secured on your behalf.
Common Causes
Common Causes of Aviation Accidents
Aviation accidents can involve commercial airlines, private aircraft, helicopters, charter flights, and air taxis. The causes are often technical but the negligence behind them is very human.
Pilot Error
Mistakes in judgment, poor training, fatigue, and failure to follow established protocols account for a significant share of aviation accidents and near-miss incidents each year.
Air Traffic Control Failures
Errors by air traffic controllers, including miscommunication, improper sequencing, and failure to warn of hazards, can place aircraft on collision courses or in dangerous situations.
Mechanical and Equipment Failures
Defective aircraft components, engine failures, faulty landing gear, and inadequate maintenance can all lead to catastrophic in-flight emergencies or crash landings.
Manufacturer Defects
When aircraft, engines, avionics, or safety equipment are defectively designed or manufactured, the manufacturer may face strict product liability regardless of how the aircraft was operated.
Dangerous Weather Decisions
Pilots and airlines that knowingly fly into severe weather conditions against established safety protocols put every passenger on board at serious risk.
Runway and Airport Hazards
Poorly maintained runways, inadequate lighting, bird strikes, and ground vehicle incursions cause accidents during takeoff and landing, the most dangerous phases of any flight.
Improper Loading and Weight Distribution
Cargo loaded incorrectly or beyond safe weight limits affects aircraft stability and handling, contributing to loss of control during flight.
Injuries We Handle
Aviation Accident Injuries We Represent
Aviation accidents frequently produce some of the most severe injuries seen in personal injury law. Our attorneys represent survivors and families across the full range of aviation-related harm.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Spinal Cord Injuries & Paralysis
- Severe Burns and Smoke Inhalation
- Broken Bones & Fractures
- Crush Injuries and Amputations
- Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage
- Lacerations and Permanent Scarring
- Soft Tissue and Nerve Damage
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Hearing and Vision Loss
- Wrongful Death of a Family Member
Your Recovery
What Compensation Can You Recover
Aviation accident claims are governed by a combination of federal law, international treaties such as the Montreal Convention for international flights, and state personal injury law. These overlapping frameworks can significantly affect the amount you are entitled to recover and the deadlines that apply to your claim. Our attorneys are experienced in navigating these complex legal landscapes to maximize your recovery.
- All past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and long-term care costs
- Out-of-pocket injury-related expenses
- Future costs related to permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and psychological trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium for your family
Why Cherny & Podolsky
Brooklyn's Trusted Aviation Accident Law Firm Since 2008
We Take On Airlines and Manufacturers
Aviation defendants include some of the largest and most legally sophisticated corporations in the world. Our attorneys have the knowledge, resources, and determination to go up against airlines, aircraft manufacturers, maintenance companies, and government agencies on behalf of injured clients.
Over $45 Million Recovered
Our track record speaks for itself. We have secured millions in settlements and verdicts for seriously injured clients throughout Brooklyn and the greater New York area.
Locally Rooted in Brooklyn
We are a Brooklyn law firm at 2681 East 14th Street, not a national referral service. New York is one of the busiest aviation hubs in the world, and our attorneys understand the local and federal legal landscape that governs these cases.
Multilingual Legal Team
Our staff serves clients in English, Russian, Spanish, and more. Every client deserves to fully understand their rights and their options, and we make sure they do.
No Fee Unless We Win
We handle all aviation accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay absolutely nothing upfront. Our fee comes only from the compensation we recover for you.
Direct Attorney Access
You will work directly with your attorney from your first call to your final settlement. No paralegals, no case managers, no runaround.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can be held liable in an aviation accident?
Multiple parties may share liability in an aviation accident depending on the cause. The airline may be responsible for pilot error, crew negligence, or improper maintenance. The aircraft or component manufacturer may face product liability claims for defective parts. Third-party maintenance companies, air traffic control authorities, and airport operators may also bear responsibility. Our attorneys conduct thorough investigations to identify every liable party and pursue every available source of compensation.
How long do I have to file an aviation accident lawsuit?
The deadline depends on the nature of your flight. For domestic flights, the statute of limitations for personal injury in New York is generally three years from the date of the accident. For international flights governed by the Montreal Convention, the filing deadline is two years. If a government entity such as the FAA or a public airport authority is involved, additional Notice of Claim requirements may apply. Contact us immediately to ensure your deadlines are protected.
Does the Montreal Convention limit how much I can recover?
The Montreal Convention establishes a liability framework for international air travel that includes strict liability up to a certain threshold and unlimited liability above it if the airline cannot prove it was not negligent. These rules are complex and the outcome depends heavily on the specific facts of your case. Our attorneys are experienced in Montreal Convention claims and will work to maximize your recovery under every applicable legal framework.
Can I file a claim if a loved one was killed in an aviation accident?
Yes. If a family member was killed in an aviation accident, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim against the responsible parties. Recoverable damages include funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and the conscious pain and suffering your loved one experienced. Our attorneys will guide your family through this deeply difficult process with care, urgency, and determination.
What if I was injured on a private plane or charter flight?
Yes. Passengers injured on private aircraft, charter flights, air taxis, and helicopters have the same right to pursue compensation as commercial airline passengers. The applicable legal standards and liable parties may differ from commercial aviation cases, but the fundamental right to recover for injuries caused by negligence remains the same. Our attorneys handle all categories of aviation accident claims.
How much is my aviation accident case worth?
The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical costs, your lost income, the degree of permanent impact on your life, and the number of parties who share liability. Aviation accident cases involving serious injuries frequently result in some of the largest personal injury recoveries in the law. We offer free consultations to give you a thorough and honest evaluation of your specific situation.
Injured in an Aviation Accident?
Do not wait. Aviation defendants begin protecting themselves the moment an incident is reported. Flight data recorders get secured, maintenance records get reviewed, and corporate legal teams get to work. The sooner our attorneys get involved, the better positioned you will be to recover everything you are owed.
Call us today for a free consultation. We will review your case, answer every question you have, and walk you through your options with no pressure and no upfront cost.
