Personal Injury Newsletters

Liability of Air Traffic Controllers

Air traffic controllers are responsible for the flow of air traffic in and around airports. The controllers must be licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The duties of the controllers are set forth in operations manuals that are prepared by the FAA. The controllers must transmit the information that is set forth in the manuals and must take all steps that are necessary for the safety of pilots and passengers.

Liability of an Air Carrier for Providing Medical Assistance to a Passenger

Federal law does not require air carriers to provide medical assistance to passengers.

Federal Tort Claims Act -- Overview

Under the doctrine of sovereign immunity, the federal government cannot be sued without its permission. The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) is a federal law that waives the federal government's sovereign immunity under certain circumstances.

Wrongful Death & Survival

Every state has some type of wrongful death statute that allows for a decedent's beneficiaries to recover damages after a defendant willfully or negligently causes the decedent's death. Survival statutes relate to the claims of the decedent rather than those of his heirs.

The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act - Death Benefits

If a maritime employee's death was caused by a work related injury, the employee's widow, widower, or other eligible survivor may recover death benefits under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. The widow, widower, or survivor may also recover funeral expenses of up to $3,000.