Aviation
Verdicts And Settlements
$40 Million Settlement in Seattle Helicopter Personal Injury Case
May 21, 2018, Partner Alisa R. Brodkowitz, Friedman Rubin with co-counsel negotiated a $40 Million Global Settlement at trial for a personal injury case arising out of the 2014 KOMO helicopter crash near the Seattle Space Needle. The KOMO news helicopter crashed on lift off from a helipad injuring our client Guillermo Sanchez. Our firm had the honor of representing him and his wife at trial. Five weeks into trial, a settlement was reached.
Plane Crash Due To Engine Failure
Confidential settlement against engine manufacturer, 2012.
Turbulence Injuries to Flight Attendant, Against FAA, $575,000
This case involved flight attendants injured during turbulence. We filed suit against the Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control and resolved the case for $575,000 in 2011.
Commercial Airplane Crash on Take Off, Multiple Passengers
Confidential settlement against US Airways, 2016.
Wrongful Death, Glider Crash
Confidential settlement against glider Manufacturer Schleicher, 2013.
Turbulence Injury in International Flight
Confidential settlement against Delta Airlines, Inc., 2014.
Loss of Pressurization In Cabin During Flight
Confidential settlement against Alaska Airlines and part manufacturer, 2009.
Crash Landing, Injured During Emergency Evacuation
Confidential settlement against Shuttle America., 2012
Back Injury During Fall Using Air Stairs
Confidential settlement against Alaska Airlines, Inc., 2011.
Burn on International Flight
Confidential settlements against Northwest Airlines, Inc., Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and international airlines such as Turkish Airlines.
Disabled Passenger Injured During Boarding
Confidential settlement against Air Canada, 2014.
Knee Injury, Hit By Beverage Cart
Confidential settlements against Alaska Airlines, Inc., Delta Airlines, Continental Airlines, and United Airlines.
Ramp Agent Injured By Baggage Cart
Confidential settlement against Menzies Aviation, 2011.
Seat Collapse Injures Commercial Airline Passenger
Confidential settlement against Continental Airlines, Inc.
Head Injury, Baggage Falling From Open Bin During International Flight
Confidential settlement against Emirates Airlines.
Plane crash due to overloading causing death - $15M verdict
Estate of Messina v. Walker – King County Superior Court, Kent, Washington, July 6, 2022.
$15,392,523 verdict for the Estate and beneficiaries. Pilot attempted to take off in a Mooney M20K aircraft from Woodland State Airport. The pilot failed to terminate his attempted takeoff in time to avoid collision with a berm at the end of the runway, killing Friedman Rubin’s client. Pilot overloaded the aircraft and either failed to recognize that the Mooney was not performing as expected, or decided to ignore the risks and attempt takeoff despite signs of underperformance. The jury awarded $8,392,523 as economic damages of the Estate and $7,000,000 in non-economic damages to the beneficiaries. The case was tried by Rick Friedman, assisted by Rachel Luke and Mike Angiulo of Friedman Rubin.
*Disclaimer: Many of the judgments entered were larger than the verdicts, due to the addition of statutory interest, attorney fees and/or costs. Many of the verdicts were either reduced on appeal, or settled for amounts less than the judgment. These cases and results are a sampling of results achieved. This does not constitute a promise, guarantee or warranty of any kind. Results differ from case to case.