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American Airlines was the largest airline in the world in April 2024. According to the Airways publication, the airline provided more than 170 thousand flights with over 22.6 million seats. These impressive numbers don’t bode well for safety, though. As stated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the airline with the highest number of flights is expected to record more accidents.
On January 29, 2025, an American Airlines jet collided with a military helicopter outside Reagan National Airport in Washington. The incident left 67 casualties with no survivors. The family of one of the victims of American Airlines flight 5342 recently filed a lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Army. The wife’s claim seeks $250 million each under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA).
On November 12, 2001, an American Airlines jet (Airbus A300-605R) crashed in Belle Harbor. The incident left 260 fatalities and no survivors. The crash was blamed on pilot error, and American Airlines faced multiple lawsuits accusing them of negligence in the operation and training of the flight crew.
Airlines have complex protocols to ensure flight safety, but there are still near-miss situations. In 2016, the NTSB reported that an American Airlines jet was halted by engine failure and fire, leaving some injured crew and passengers.
In the aftermath of aviation accidents, the airlines are expected to provide settlements out of court. Still, there have been cases where the victims felt they did not receive just compensation from the settlements offered.
For the crash of Flight 587 in 2001, industry experts expected the payouts to be around $1 billion, but they were later reduced to $200 million, as reported by BBC.
Typically, immediate family members can file wrongful death lawsuits if there are no survivors. This includes spouses, children, and parents. Each state will have its own eligibility requirements and time limits for filing. If you survived a plane crash you can file a personal injury lawsuit.
Airplanes are still one of the safest transportation methods, but the aftermath of an accident, when it does happen, is devastating. If you’re facing settlements after an aviation accident, our Miami aviation accident attorney can help you protect your best interests.
To help you navigate the complex process of filing a claim after a plane accident where you were injured or lost a loved one, please contact our attorney at The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary for a free evaluation of your case.