Aviation law experts say Air Canada passengers injured in the fatal collision at the LaGuardia Airport on Sunday have various legal options.
Gabor Lukacs, a passenger rights advocate, says Air Canada could be on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars per passenger.
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He says an international agreement that standardizes compensation holds airlines liable for death or bodily injury.
Lukacs says that under the 1999 Montreal Convention injured passengers could each be compensated up to nearly $300,000.
The Air Canada passengers have two years to file lawsuits under the convention.
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Kevin Durkin, a U.S. aviation lawyer, says they could also sue the American aviation authority and local port authority.
The collision between the Air Canada jet and a firetruck killed both pilots and sent more than 40 people to hospital.
They should instead try suing the DA’s at Port authority for not installing a transponder in the trucks!
Abominable. How is this Air Canada’s fault ?
The fault lies directly with traffic control on the airfield, NOT the Air Canada pilots. Whoever was in ground control in the tower was at fault. Having some experience driving on an airfield we always had to confirm access to the ‘active’ runway before proceeding and looking out for incoming or departing flights.
They need to sue Trump and DHS, it is 100% their fault this very tragic incident happened.
I’m not a fan of Air Canada but in this case the pilots were heroes because they acted to try try to stop instead of abandoning the cockpit for cover and they took the hit and saved many lives as a result.
They should sue the airport. Not the airline.
Gabor Lukas should be ashamed of himself. Talking about compensation while 2 families grieve. Especially when he is wrong. Air Canada won’t be liable here at all.
Ok, that’s a prime example of what is wrong with this world! On what possible grounds could passengers sue?? It was in no way the pilot’s or the air carrier’s fault and suggesting that they could be held liable is not just ridiculous it’s irresponsible!
And you wonder why the cost of flying has become so ridiculous.
Ambulance chasers are “advocates” now?
I understand this was an Air Canada flight but it doesn’t appear to be the pilots’ fault. Why sue Air Canada when it was the air traffic control and ground crews that caused the accident?
How was this Air Canada’s fault? It is totally the fault of the over-worked air traffic controller, his employers, & the current government that cut funding for this agency.
Not sure Mr. Lukacs as credentials to comment.