Aviation Accident Attorneys

Experiencing an aviation accident can be life-altering. Whether you were injured in a plane crash, hurt during turbulence, or suffered due to pilot negligence, knowing your rights and legal options is essential. At The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja, PLLC, we specialize in representing victims of aviation accidents and their families, ensuring they receive the justice and compensation they deserve.

Our Houston-based aviation accident attorneys have the expertise, resources, and dedication to take on even the most complex cases. From negotiating with airlines to pursuing lawsuits against negligent parties, we’re here to fight for you.

An aviation accident can leave you feeling powerless. However, understanding your rights can help you regain control and start the path to recovery. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Right to Compensation

Victims of aviation accidents have the right to pursue compensation for:

• Medical expenses (current and future)
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

Our attorneys will work tirelessly to ensure you receive fair compensation for all damages.

2. Right to Legal Representation

Navigating aviation law is no easy task. You have the right to hire an experienced aviation accident attorney who understands the complexities of these cases, including federal aviation regulations and liability laws.

3. Right to Access Information

As a victim, you’re entitled to access critical information about the accident, such as:

• Maintenance and inspection records
• Pilot and crew training logs
• FAA investigation reports
• Black box data (flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder)

4. Right to Hold Negligent Parties Accountable

Depending on the circumstances, you may file a claim against:

• The airline
• The pilot or crew members
• Aircraft manufacturers
• Maintenance providers
• Air traffic controllers

Our team will investigate every possible avenue to maximize your compensation.

5. Right to Emotional Support

Recovering from an aviation accident is not just physical but emotional as well. You deserve access to counseling and support services to cope with trauma and loss.

The value of your claim depends on the specifics of your case. However, aviation accident victims may recover several types of damages, including:

Economic Damages

These cover measurable financial losses, such as:

• Medical bills (hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications)
• Lost wages for missed time at work
• Reduced earning potential due to long-term injuries

Non-Economic Damages

These compensate for more subjective losses, such as:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and emotional distress
• Loss of companionship or consortium (for family members)

Punitive Damages

In cases where the defendant acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct, you may be awarded punitive damages to deter similar behavior in the future.

Aviation accidents, whether involving commercial flights, private aircraft, or helicopters, often result in catastrophic injuries due to the sheer force and complexity of these incidents. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
• Spinal Cord and Nerve Damage
• Burns (thermal or chemical burns from fuel fires)
• Electrocution (common in crash landings or electrical malfunctions)
• Broken Bones and Fractures
• Amputations
• Soft Tissue Injuries (e.g., whiplash, torn ligaments)
• Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage

These injuries can require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care. Let us help you secure the resources you need to recover.

Determining liability in aviation accidents is a complex process. Our team conducts a thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties, which may include:

1. The Pilot or Crew

Pilots and crew members have a duty to operate the aircraft safely. Errors like misjudging weather conditions or failing to follow proper procedures can lead to devastating accidents.

2. The Airline

Airlines may be held accountable for:

• Inadequate pilot training
• Poor maintenance practices
• Unsafe policies

3. Aircraft Manufacturers

Defective parts or design flaws can cause mechanical failures, making manufacturers liable under product liability laws.

4. Maintenance Providers

Improper or negligent maintenance can lead to system malfunctions and crashes.

5. Air Traffic Controllers

Mistakes by air traffic control, such as communication errors or incorrect routing, can also contribute to aviation accidents.

6. Third-Party Contractors

Vendors involved in fueling, catering, or other aircraft services may share responsibility if their negligence contributed to the accident.

Negligence is a descriptive legal term, referring to the reckless or careless actions or inactions taken by the liable party. Negligence is one of the cornerstones of your case. Proving negligence requires admissible evidence and a strong command of personal injury and insurance laws.

Proving negligence in your aviation accident case involves establishing the following:

• An airline, operator, or manufacturer owed you a general duty of care
• The identified defendant failed to meet that duty by acting unsafely, negligently, or wrongfully
• The defendant’s acts or omissions resulted in your accident
• The accident led to subsequent injuries or the wrongful death of a family member
• Your injuries or the death of your family member caused you financial harm

Often, the insurance company will argue that the defendant did not act negligently or wrongfully. They may also question whether the defendant’s acts or omissions truly caused the incident that led to your injuries or the death of your loved one. The insurer and adjuster will have their own version of events, which may go against yours.

However, a comprehensive investigation by your legal team may reveal that the situation is not as objective as it seems. As we discover any new findings that speak to the cause of your injuries, our aviation accident attorneys will document evidence that we can submit on your behalf when making a demand.

Along with mechanical failure, human error is one of the leading causes of aircraft accidents. Tragically, operator error frequently leads to devastating and deadly crashes, resulting in extreme loss of human life. Survivors of such incidents are likely to experience catastrophic, life-changing injuries.

At The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja, PLLC, we represent victims of aviation accidents caused by operator error.

Our team is adept at investigating these claims and determining whether a pilot, co-pilot, or another individual was responsible for the incident that led to your injuries or the loss of your loved one. We can help you pursue a claim against a:

• Commercial airline operator: In general, commercial airlines are subject to the laws and regulations set forth by the Federal Aviation Act (FAA). The FAA requires airline operators to maintain and meet a duty of care to keep you and other passengers safe. If they fail to do so and cause your injuries, you have the right to file a compensation claim.
• Private aircraft operator: Airline operators who carry fewer than 20 passengers on a plane are subject to the rules of the General Aviation Revitalization Act (GARA). There are timelines by which you have to file a claim, which means that you should contact an airline operator negligence lawyer right away to ensure that you don’t lose your right to file a lawsuit.

Our Houston aviation accident attorneys have extensive experience navigating complex state and federal aviation laws. We are well-versed in the personal injury and civil litigation court systems and know how to effectively protect your rights against the interests of large corporations, powerful manufacturers, and other major entities.

Aviation accident cases are complex and governed by federal and state laws, as well as FAA and NTSB regulations. Hiring an experienced aviation accident attorney is critical to navigating these legal challenges. The best attorneys understand these laws and have proven experience helping victims secure fair compensation. When searching for the best aviation accident attorney, here’s why hiring an experienced lawyer is critical:

• Complex Investigations: Aviation accidents often involve multiple parties and extensive technical evidence. The best aviation accident attorneys know how to work with industry experts, review FAA reports, and analyze maintenance logs to build a strong case on your behalf.
• Negotiating Power: Airlines and insurance companies have powerful legal teams working to minimize payouts. The best attorney ensures you have a seasoned advocate on your side to level the playing field and fight for the compensation you deserve.
• Maximizing Compensation: Without proper legal representation, you risk accepting a settlement far below what you are entitled to. The best aviation accident lawyers will help you recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
• No Upfront Fees: We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we recover compensation for you. This allows you to focus on your recovery without worrying about legal fees.

By choosing the Law Offices of Omar Khawaja, you gain access to one of the best aviation accident attorney teams in Houston. We are dedicated to protecting your rights, holding negligent parties accountable, and helping you achieve the justice and compensation you deserve.

“Aviation accidents” is a term used to refer to all types of accidents involving various aircraft. This includes deadly plane crashes, as well as other types of aircraft-related incidents leading to injury or death.

Some examples of aviation accidents include:

Airplane Accidents

Airplane crashes often cause massive injuries and devastation to those who are involved. These types of accidents can result from human error, mechanical malfunctions, and more. Other types of airplane accidents involve onboard incidents leading to injuries, such as slips and falls, or injuries caused by unsafe conditions or hazards.

Helicopter Accidents

Helicopter components and controls are complicated. To make matters worse, in the event of a failure, a helicopter does not glide like a plane. A malfunction on any part of the aircraft can result in a helicopter accident with severe injuries or fatalities.

Operator Negligence

Many aviation accidents are caused by a pilot’s mistake or another type of operator error. Some of these accidents result from misjudgments or poor training. Even experienced pilots struggle to fly in bad weather conditions, including rain, snow, lighting, and wind.

Commercial & Private Aviation Accidents

Liability after an aviation accident may depend on whether it was a commercial or private flight. On a commercial flight, you are most likely able to file a lawsuit against the airline company.

You may also have a third-party claim or civil lawsuit against the pilot or other individuals directly responsible for your damages.

With private flights, liability may be more complicated. You may need to file a claim against the pilot or operator’s insurance provider, the manufacturer of a defective part, or some other entity.

Offshore Helicopter Transport Accidents

Some of the leading causes of helicopter crashes include dangerous weather conditions, operator error, and negligence. These risks are significant enough for many oil companies to demand that workers undergo accident survival training. Unfortunately, this does not stop offshore helicopter transportation accidents from happening, nor does it guarantee the safety of those involved in such incidents.

Onboard Accidents

Although plane and helicopter crashes are the types of aviation accidents most likely to make the news, other types of aviation accidents can also lead to bodily injury or fatalities.

Unsafe conditions aboard aircraft may lead to serious accidents, such as falls, which could result in severe injury, illness, or death.

When negligence plays a role in your injury or loved one’s death, you can rely on our firm to fight for you. Our entire team is committed to providing you with compassionate legal support during this time. As your Houston aviation accidents lawyers, we will stand by your side regardless of the challenges you face.

In Texas, most personal injury lawsuits, including aviation accidents, must be filed within two years of the injury or when the injury was discovered. For wrongful death cases, the statute of limitations is typically two years from the date of death, with rare exceptions.

Our team can confirm whether the statute of limitations has expired and ensure you file your lawsuit before the deadline. Even if you believe you missed the deadline, contact The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja, PLLC. Some exceptions may still allow you to take legal action.