Georgia residents may have heard about a wrongful death lawsuit that was filed by family members of one of the seven people killed in a plane crash in May 2014. The plane, a Gulfstream IV, crashed and caught on fire shortly after takeoff at Hanscom Field, an aviation airport in Bedford, Massachusetts.
The family, whose deceased relative was a philanthropist and co-owner of the Philadelphia Inquirer, filed the suit in Boston, Massachusetts, against the airplane’s manufacturer and seven additional parties. According to reports, the family claims that the fatal accident occurred because of the pilot’s negligence and a manufacturing defect.
The National Transportation Safety Board conducted an investigation into the accident and found that aircraft design faults and pilot error were to blame. Gulfstream representatives declined comment on the matter.
Whenever a family suddenly loses a loved one in a a transportation accident, oftentimes the family not only suffers emotionally, but also financially, especially if the decedent was the primary provider of the family’s household income. However, if the negligence of another party caused the fatal accident, the family might consider seeking compensation for their losses through a wrongful death lawsuit. An attorney who is experienced in these types of claims may be able to assist by identifying the defendants and the potential damages. In such cases, police and witness reports, the plaintiff’s medical reports and records of expenses are some of the official documents that could be used as supporting evidence in the case. Plaintiffs who succeed in these claims are oftentimes able to recover restitution to help account for funeral expenses, medical costs and loss of future contributions of income.