Safer Skies

Motley Rice is an advocate for one standard of safety for the skies. Through litigation and education, our team aims to help improve the safety and security of both commercial and non-commercial air travel. 

Safety and security is the responsibility of the entire aviation industry - the airlines, airports, plane manufacturers, airline maintenance contractors, airline trade associations, security contractors, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Safety Administration. Our aviation team is proud of the knowledge, experience and resources that help us seek accountability from corporations, institutions, organizations, governments and terrorists when the safety and security of the traveling public is breached.

The Liability of the Aviation Industry

Aviation liability is a double-edged sword for airlines and aircraft manufacturers. On one hand, safety and security measures are important to holding a positive reputation as well as maintaining liability insurance. On the other hand, airlines and manufacturers are simply businesses looking to cut costs.

At the end of the day, the aviation industry's main priority is profitability. Unfortunately for air travelers, safety and security measures do not make money for airlines. If airlines and aircraft manufacturers cut safety and security measures or select cheaper alternatives, they know the associated risks and expenses. In most cases, the airline’s insurance will pay liability claims for injured or killed passengers or crew members at a lesser cost to the airline than the expense of implementing lasting safety and security improvements. 

With this outlook, the aviation industry is tempted to operate at the bare minimum levels of safety and security required under federal regulations. These safety and security lapses can have disastrous results.

Creating Change

Passengers and crew have no choice but to rely on the aviation industry and trust that they will arrive safely at their destinations. However, most people do not realize that our government agencies have failed to collectively define safety or establish uniform guidelines, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the agency responsible for safe air travel in the United States. Without an official definition, safety is only a matter of perspective. Motley Rice considers public service a higher priority than the airlines’ profit margins and cost ratios. Our team is willing to speak out and take legal action to support consumer demands for significant safety changes. 

Motley Rice attorney Mary Schiavo is a recognized voice on aviation safety and security. She currently co-leads the firm’s aviation team, calling upon her extensive background with the aviation industry. The author of the New York Times bestseller Flying Blind, Flying Safe, Mary is frequently featured in the national and local media to analyze and discuss aviation safety matters, security issues, and plane crashes and incidents. As a former Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Transportation, she used federal criminal laws to prosecute aviation crimes and investigate airline industry practices which jeopardize us all.