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Aviation law encompasses a complex set of laws governing aircraft operation and facilities. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) exercise jurisdiction over most airplane accidents. When an airplane crashes it is critical to determine whether the accident was caused by a defective part on the airplane, pilot error, or a combination of both.
The attorneys at Burke, Wise and Morrissey have successfully represented victims of airplane crashes, both commercial and private. Kevin Burke received a $25 million settlement for the family of a businessman who died in the 1989 crash of a United Airlines flight in Sioux City, Iowa. When the settlement was reached it was the largest known Illinois settlement for an aviation wrongful death case. Further, David Wise received a $1.4 million jury verdict for the brother of a man killed in the December 13, 1994 crash of an American Eagle Flight #3379 in North Carolina. This verdict was the highest recorded award in the Middle District Federal Court in North Carolina for the loss of a brother. (Parker v. American Airlines).
The following cases arose out of the crash of American Eagle Flight #3379:
Parker v. American Airlines
Verdict date: 07/12/01. Verdict amount: $1,400,000, plus $700,000 prejudgment interest; total $2,100,000 award.
Peters v. American Airlines
Settlement date: 08/99. Settlement amount: $4,700,000.
Lewis v. American Airlines
Settlement date: 08/99. Settlement amount: $4,800,000.
Stellato v. AMR Corporation
Settlement date: 10/99. Settlement amount: $8,000,000.
Johnson v. American Airlines
Settlement date: 10/99. Settlement amount: $4,400,000.
The following cases arose out of the crash of United Airlines Flight #232. The plane crashed after an attempted emergency landing due to complete hydraulic failure:
Bierlein v. United Airlines
Settlement date: 09/92. Settlement amount: $25,000,000.
Gillner v. United Airlines
Settlement date: 09/92. Settlement amount: $3,000,000.
Other aviation cases:
Norris v. Cessna
A father and son were killed when the plane they were traveling in crashed due to fuel exhaustion. The plane had a fuel leak problem as a result of its design.
Settlement date: 07/96. Settlement amount: $2,000,000.