Aviation Law

Motley Rice seeks accountability and compensation for individuals and families in personal injury and wrongful death cases involving aviation crashes and incidents. 

If you or someone you know is interested in seeking legal recourse as a result of a plane crash or aviation incident, contact attorney Mary Schiavo by email or call +1 800.768.4026.

The Safety and Security of Airplane Passengers and Crew

The aviation industry is responsible for the safety and security of the millions of passengers flying on commercial and general aviation flights each day. Airlines, security companies, airports, aviation manufacturers, airline trade associations, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) all have the duty to protect the traveling public. 

When aviation safety and security is compromised, catastrophic incidents can occur, leaving passengers injured or even dead. There are numerous examples of the failures of the aviation industry to protect passengers, crew and the general public – including those of the September 11, 2001, plane crashes and attacks. 

Airplane Disaster Cases

Motley Rice represents individuals who have been injured and families who have lost loved ones in commercial airline and general aviation disasters in the United States and abroad. We represent passengers, pilots, flight attendants, airport and airline workers, and persons on the ground injured by plane crashes.

Motley Rice recognizes that victims’ family members have many concerns following an airline crash. As one of the largest plaintiffs’ firms in the United States, Motley Rice has a global reach, the professional experience and the financial resources to investigate, litigate and resolve aviation crash cases in the U.S. court system on behalf of clients residing virtually anywhere in the world. 

Investigating Plane Crashes

Commercial airline crashes are almost always multifaceted and devastating events, but in many cases they are preventable. The investigation of a plane crash analyzes many factors, including:

• faulty aircraft equipment
• negligent maintenance
• pilot or crew error
• air traffic control error
• security breaches
• failure to check weather conditions 

Motley Rice lawyers have the knowledge, experience and resources to seek accountability from corporations, institutions, organizations, governments and terrorist organizations when the safety and security of airline passengers is breached. We work to give our clients the power, information and means to take control in the aftermath of an aviation disaster. 

Motley Rice’s Aviation Team

The Motley Rice aviation team is led by Mary Schiavo, a former Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Transportation and plane crash attorney, and trial lawyer Don Migliori.  Our aviation disaster attorneys have the experience necessary to construct the strongest aviation lawsuit possible. Team members include several former pilots, four current jet pilots, an aviation maintenance expert, a former flight attendant and multi-lingual staff members. 

Aviation Safety Center

The Motley Rice Aviation Safety Center is a resource for plane crash victims, victims’ families and the general public. The website provides detailed information on Motley Rice’s aviation team, types of aviation litigation and our attorneys’ experience with plane crash cases.  Visitors can also access key resources and browse through media coverage of Motley Rice attorneys discussing aviation issues and plane crashes on international, national and local news outlets.