Aviation Accident Attorneys
Aviation Law Group PS is a leading West Coast law firm representing plaintiffs in the West Coast, the United States, and the World in aircraft accidents and other aviation-related cases involving serious injury/wrongful death. With more than 30 years of experience practicing law, and more than 40 years in aviation, ALG is proud of our excellent legal work on behalf of hundreds of clients. We routinely handle cases with local counsel in all 50 States and Internationally. Additionally, ALG attorneys are licensed to practice law throughout the Western United States including Alaska, Washington, Hawaii, and California.
Aviation Law Group: Representing Passengers Harmed on
Alaska Airlines Flight 1282
Our Approach
At Aviation Law Group, our primary concern for the passengers of Alaska Flight 1282 is their physical and mental well-being and recovery. There is nothing to gain by filing a lawsuit immediately, as some other lawyers have done when all the facts are not yet known, and many passengers are still recovering from their injuries. Once you retain ALG to represent you, you can rest assured that your legal interests are being taken care of by ALG, leaving you to focus on other important things in your life.
ALG takes a thoughtful and thorough approach to all of our cases. We have already commenced our own investigation with many interviews, consultations with our expert airline pilots and mechanics, and are performing extensive research covering many issues in the federal aviation regulations, product liability, and state law in at least 4 other states. We have prior experience with claims against Alaska Airlines, Boeing, and major aircraft component part suppliers.
Deciding when to file a lawsuit is an art. This takes time. We strategically decide which state’s laws are most advantageous to each of our clients, and we determine which states we can obtain personal jurisdiction over each defendant. This not only helps ensure a recovery for each client, but a maximum recovery. Different state laws may be more beneficial to different claimants.
For example, Washington law does not provide for punitive damages. Other states related to this action do allow claims for punitive damages. This might make a difference on where we file the case and what law we seek to apply. These important legal and strategic decisions cannot be made overnight or right after an accident when most of the underlying facts are unknown.
ALG attorneys have prior experience with claims against Boeing, Alaska Airlines, and many major aircraft component part suppliers. We have successfully handled many airframe failure accident cases. Four ALG attorneys are commercial pilots, two are licensed aircraft mechanics. We would be happy to explain our approach to you and answer any questions that you may have.
Please contact us using the form to the right or call us directly- 206.464.1166
Bob Hedrick
Attorney 30+ years
Commercial Pilot
A&P Aviation Mechanic
20+ Years Professor of Aviation Accident Law
Casey DuBose
Attorney 10+ years
Commercial Pilot
Flight Instructor
Fluent Mandarin Chinese
Professor of Aviation and Space Law
Kerry Kovarik
Attorney 16+ years
Commercial Pilot
Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Former FAA Authorized Inspector
Chris Rusing
Attorney 20+ years
Airline Pilot & Instructor
Airbus 320 Series Captain
WHAT WE DO
Aviation Accident Law
General Aviation Accidents
General aviation involves private and recreational flight activity. It includes non-airline flights such as scenic flights, flight training, private flights, recreational flights, helicopter flights and operations, seaplanes, flying clubs, business flights, gliders, and a lot of other aerial activity. All of Aviation Law Group attorneys have extensive experience in many aspects of general aviation, from flying and instructing, to operations and aircraft maintenance. Since 1988, our lawyers have handled accidents involving nearly all aspects of general aviation activity for airplanes, helicopters, and fixed base operators.
Helicopter Accidents
Helicopter accidents often involve issues of external load operations such as longline or external load (link to external load), heli-lifting, heli-logging, and fire-fighting support.
Major Airline Accidents
ALG attorneys have represented numerous families who lost loved ones in major airline disasters, such as the January 31, 2000, Alaska Flight 261 accident near Point Hueneme, California, and the February 25, 2009, Turkish Airline Flight TK 1951 accident in Amsterdam. We have extensive experience with international airline liability law, including the Montreal Convention and its predecessor the Warsaw Convention, where issues of liability, jurisdiction, applicable law, and recoverable damages are complex. ALG attorneys have given many talks and written numerous articles in this specialized field of law. Mr. Hedrick also teaches the Montreal Convention as part of his Aviation Accident Law course at Seattle University School of Law.
International Coverage and Regional Expertise
Washington
Unfortunately, aircraft accidents occur nearly weekly throughout Washington. In addition, many aircraft accidents outside of Washington involve Washington manufacturers or operators.
Alaska
Because of the extent of aviation activity throughout the 49th and largest state in the U.S., Robert Hedrick obtained his attorney license in Alaska nearly 20 years ago in 2002 and is an active member of the Alaska Bar Association.
Hawaii
Aviation activity is unique in the Hawaiian archipelago because of its location and geographical topography.
Recent Aviation Law News
ALG Starts Investigation on Broward County Helicopter Crash
Based upon our office’s review of the footage and experience with turbine helicopters possible causes include a cracked combustion chamber, faulty fuel nozzle, or fuel or hydraulic line failure.
What Caused The Maritime Helicopters Crash On The North Slope Of Alaska on July 20, 2023?
The helicopter wreckage was found near Wainwright, Alaska, which is located approximately 50 miles south of Utqiaġvik on the North Slope. Utqiaġvik, formerly known as Barrow, is the northernmost city in the U.S.
Why the Titan Accident May Be Litigated In Washington State
The deaths will likely be governed by maritime law and the Death on the High Seas Act (46 U.S.C. §§ 30301-30308). It provides for an action in admiralty for the exclusive benefit of the “decedent’s spouse, parent, child, or dependent relative.” The act allows claims for the “pecuniary loss” suffered by each of these beneficiaries.
The Rise and Fall of Civil Aviation in the Republic of China
In 1937, one of the first airlines in China - Eurasia Airlines (欧亚航空公司) - started to recruit flight attendants for the first time. Suitable applicants had to meet the following conditions: aged between 20-25 years of age, proper demeanor/appearance, height 1.5 m -1.7...
Alaska Helicopter Accident Reflects The Risks Of Heli-Ski Operations
On March 27, 2021, an Astar helicopter (Eurocopter AS350, now Airbus Helicopters) Crashed near Knik Glacier at 6:35 pm, approximately 50 miles east of Anchorage, Alaska. Five persons on board died, and one survived with serious injuries. The helicopter, operated by...
ALG Monitoring Boeing 737 crash in Indonesia
More than 60 passengers were on Sriwijaya Air Flight 182 from Jakarta, Indonesia to Pontianak, Indonesia, when it crashed into the ocean shortly after takeoff on Saturday, January 9, 2021. For unknown reasons, 4 minutes after takeoff in heavy rain the aircraft...
Two Pilots Die in Whidbey Island Crash
On November 11, 2020, a Cessna 177 RG, with tail number N34633, lost engine power and collided with trees near the runway at Whidbey Airpark (W10), in Langley, Washington. Tragically, the two pilots on board were killed in the collision. Aviation Law Group is...
Another Seaplane Accident
While a majority of seaplane activity occurs in the Northwest and Alaska, the rest of the country still experiences fatal seaplane accidents. That is just what occurred on October 4, 2020, in Queens New York. The Cessna 182 seaplane was moving fast and apparently...
Indian B738 Crashes Killing 18
Tragedy struck the Kozhikode as a B738 overran the runway over the weekend. Indian social media was quick to call the pilot a decorated hero who saved an aircraft with damaged gear and low fuel. However, as the investigation continues, it looks like none of the above...
Who’s At Fault For Mid-Air Collisions?
Introduction In this age of modern aviation technology and reduced flight traffic due to COVID, the recent spike in midair collisions, including three accidents in July, leaves many wondering why do mid-air accidents still happen, and who’s responsible for them....
7 killed in a mid-Air collision in Alaska including a member of the State Legislature.
In three weeks, there have been three deadly mid-air collisions between commercial operators and general aviation aircraft. It is an unprecedented series of avoidable accidents in a year where the FAA mandated technology that should make this less common. The accident...
4 Killed in Utah Mountainous Terrain Crash
The 4th of July holiday weekend is one of the busier times of the year for general aviation. Unfortunately, this also means that there are often tragedies that mar the festivities. In this case, a Cessna 172 that was rented from a Salt Lake and Spanish Fork-based...
8 Feared Dead in Midair Crash over Coeur d’Alene
Local witnesses and pilots report that it was a direct collision between Coeur d'Alene-based scenic floatplane operator Brooks Seaplane in a Beaver and an unidentified general aviation Cessna 206 out of Lewiston. Aviation Law Group has handled many seaplane accidents...
Seaplane Crashes in Lake Washington
Wednesday evening was punctuated by a seaplane crash in Lake Washington. The two occupants were rescued by a private boat and are reported to be uninjured. The cause is to be determined. This accident happend within hearshot of Bob's front yard. He went to...
Glider Tow Plane Crash in Hawaii
Dillingham Airfield on the north shore of Oahu suffered a second deadly air crash by a commercial operation within a year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5qvWvWp9tQ The Cessna 305A crashed shortly after takeoff from the field. The aircraft is a tow plane for...
Representative Cases
Airplane Mis-fueling Accident
A lineman working for local aircraft fueling operation pumped Jet-A aircraft fuel into the tanks of a reciprocating single-engine airplane, which required 100 octane low lead fuel.
Defective Carburetor Accident
In February 2013, following a 3-week trial, a Washington jury returned a verdict for $8.9 million in favor of our client against an aircraft engine manufacturer.
Regional Fly-In Accident
After a 3-week jury trial, Robert Hedrick obtained a $10.5 million verdict against a regional fly-in host and its national counterpart. The case involved failure to arrange for adequate fire and emergency response at the event, which caused a pilot to die needlessly.
Aircraft Design Defect
Last year, after a two-week trial, a 12-person jury returned a verdict in favor of the clients of Aviation Law Group, finding that an aircraft’s flight control system was defectively designed, which caused the deaths of a pilot and his passenger.
Firm Contact Information
If you or a loved one has been the victim of an aviation-related accident, please reach out to us. We are always willing to provide a free initial evaluation and meeting.