Who can be held liable for injuries caused by a plane crash?
In Washington, anyone who is found to have a role in causing a plane crash can be held liable for injuries resulting from the accident. This can include the plane’s manufacturer, its operator, maintenance companies, airports, and other parties who were involved in the accident in some capacity. Liability for a plane crash is typically determined by looking into the cause of the crash and the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Washington State Legislature enacted RCW 4.24.500 which provides a framework for holding parties accountable in the event of a plane crash. It allows for both economic and non-economic damages to be recovered, including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. However, this statute does not apply to passengers or passengers’ families; instead, they must rely on the provisions of the federal law known as the Airline Deregulation Act. This federal act serves to protect passengers by putting caps on non-economic damages and by limiting the amount of time they have to file a claim. Ultimately, the court system will decide who is liable for a plane crash. The determination will usually be based on who was responsible for operating or maintaining the plane, and who had ownership of the aircraft. It is also possible for more than one person or entity to be held liable depending on the circumstances of the crash. If you or someone you know has been injured in a plane crash, it is important to speak with an experienced aviation attorney to determine who may be held liable.
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