An aviation attorney is a lawyer who focuses on aviation law, which is the legal framework that governs the operation of aircraft and related ground facilities like airports and hangars. In both civil and criminal cases, aviation attorneys can represent consumers, pilots, airlines, manufacturers, flight schools, and other people involved in the aviation industry. When a legal case involves an aviation-related matter, hiring an aviation attorney to help with the case can be extremely beneficial.
Product liability suits, suits to recover damages related to plane and helicopter crashes, and wrongful death suits against airlines and private operators are all things that an aviation attorney can handle in civil cases. Aviation attorneys are very familiar with the areas of law that apply to these situations and can represent plaintiffs or defendants in these cases; for example, airlines that are sued after an accident usually have aviation attorneys represent them in court.
A variety of legal issues can arise in criminal cases involving aviation. A criminal aviation lawyer defends people accused of breaking the law, such as failing to follow regulations. It is possible for defendants to be sued in both criminal and civil courts for the same offense, such as when an airline violates FAA regulations and is fined in civil court as well as criminally prosecuted.
For companies like airlines, aviation manufacturers, flight schools, charter companies, and so on, some aviation attorneys are kept on retainer or work within the legal department. These attorneys represent their clients’ interests in court, provide legal advice when legal issues arise, and participate in the development of organizational policy with the goal of ensuring that the organization complies with the law.
Other aviation lawyers work on their own, specializing in representing people who want to sue members of the aviation industry. These lawyers may work for law firms that specialize in disaster-related matters, such as those that handle maritime disasters and other personal injury cases. People who are involved in an aviation disaster or other aviation-related matters may benefit from hiring an aviation attorney rather than a lawyer who practices in a more general area. Knowing the relevant laws can lead to a more effective case and a larger settlement for the client, and hiring a well-known attorney can intimidate the defendant and make it easier to reach an out-of-court settlement to resolve the case quickly.