Boston Aviation Injury and Fatality Lawyers

At Santoro & Gray, we handle aviation accidents against the major airlines (international and national), local airline companies, helicopter owners, and the pilots of these vehicles.

Our Boston aviation accident lawyers handle the following types of aviation accidents:

Commercial airline accidents (international flights and domestic flights)

These accidents often involve international, US, and Massachusetts law. They involve investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), the US Department of Transportation (US DOT), other federal and state agencies, and federal and local law enforcement.

Commercial airline accidents generally involve multiple plaintiffs and multiple defendants.

Some of the laws that govern commercial airline crashes include:

• The Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation
• The Warsaw Convention
• The Montreal Convention
• Other global treaties

Some of the unique practical challenges of commercial airline crashes are that you or your loved one may suffer injuries in a different country (than the US) or a different state (other than Massachusetts). We can help with the many practical issues, such as returning home or making the arrangements if a loved one tragically dies away from home.

Our lawyers also understand who is liable for airline accidents. The defendants may include the pilot, the owners of the airline, traffic control agencies, maintenance and repair companies, and manufacturers.

Our Boston aviation accident lawyers understand the legal challenges, which include which country, state, and county has jurisdiction over your case (jurisdiction is where your case is heard) and what foreign, US, Massachusetts, and county laws govern your claim.

Helicopter accidents

There are many reasons that people ride in helicopters. Helicopters include air ambulances, which are often used to transport accident victims or anyone with a medical emergency to a local emergency room, burn center, or hospital that specializes in specific treatments. Some people in a hurry may also choose to use a helicopter to avoid the hassle of security check-ins and airline delays.

Helicopter passengers may also include people who ride as part of a tour. There are helicopter services that provide tours so passengers can see the Boston and Massachusetts region (such as downtown Boston, Cape Cod, and the Berkshire Mountains) from the air.

The convenience of riding in a helicopter comes with risks. Helicopters are generally less stable, harder to control, and more prone to the dangers of rain, wind, and snow than large planes. Helicopter pilots have less ability to see at night and often don’t have any guidance when emergencies arise. Additionally, helicopter pilots generally have less training and experience than commercial airline pilots. It may be difficult to open doors and parachute out of a helicopter if there is an emergency.

Small and private plane accidents

There are many different types of private plane companies and owners. These include commuter planes that travel short distances, taxi charters, and private owners who enjoy the excitement of riding their own planes. There are also charter services that transport groups of people, such as the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Celtics, or other sports teams, celebrities, and more. These planes can accommodate different-sized groups depending on their purpose. Private planes include super-light jets, light jets, mid-sized jets, heavy jets, and ultra-long range heavy jets.

Private and small aircraft are generally governed by different FAA rules, which impose fewer requirements than commercial airline operations. Pilots often have less training and experience. As a result, these pilots may be less likely to understand how to handle an emergency. The planes also tend to undergo less stringent maintenance requirements.

At Santoro & Gray, we understand the unique challenges that claims involving small and private planes cause.