International Law Firm Preparing To Take Air India Crash Related Cases To US, UK
Such lawsuits are likely to spring up as the liability could extend to parties other than Air India.
International aviation law firms are now working with families of victims of the tragic Air India 171 crash that took place on June 12. Keystone Law’s International Aviation team, which includes top UK and US legal experts, is advising families on their legal rights under international law, the firm said in a release dated June 17, on their website .
The team is in talks with some families to file potential lawsuits in the United States or the United Kingdom against Air India and aircraft manufacturer Boeing.
These legal actions, if pursued, will be independent of any compensation measures being taken by Air India’s parent company, Tata Sons.
The legal team includes John Kimbell KC, one of the UK’s leading aviation barristers, US aviation attorney and former Navy pilot Daniel T. Barks, and a former RAF fast jet and Boeing captain, who is assisting with the technical investigation. Keystone has adopted a strict evidence-based approach to investigate possible causes of the crash.
The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch and Disaster Victim Identification teams are currently in India to assist with the technical investigation, DNA identification, and return of victims to their families.
The legal team is also reviewing the conduct of Air India’s lead aviation insurer, Tata AIG, which has made early offers of financial settlements. Families are being urged to be cautious while considering such offers and are being advised to seek independent legal counsel. Lawyers say that insurers and shareholders may have different priorities than the grieving families, and no one should be pressured into making decisions at such a sensitive time.
James Healy-Pratt, Aviation Partner at Keystone in London, said, “Our international A-list team continues to do the good for the families of AI 171, with the primary aims of establishing truth and justice. We understand the priorities of the families and stand by them in these difficult days.”
Families seeking confidential legal advice have been asked to contact James Healy-Pratt or Owen Hanna of Keystone Law.
NDTV Profit had previously reported on June 17 that such lawsuits are likely to spring up as the liability could extend to parties other than Air India also. Several legal experts had supported the observation.
