Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is regularly selected to defend the largest and most sophisticated aviation cases filed throughout the United States. Clients range from large airframe manufacturers, airlines, component part manufacturers, governmental agencies and entities, and both foreign and domestic insurers.
Below is a partial list of some of the recent foreign aviation incidents filed in the United States that Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP has been asked to defend:
- British Airways #762 – May 24, 2013 (United Kingdom)
- Airblue #202 – July 28, 2010 (Pakistan)
- Afriqiyah Airways #8U771 – May 12, 2010 (Libya)
- Air France #447 – June 1, 2009 (Brazil)
- Qantas #QF72 – October 7, 2008 (Australia)
- Sudan Airways #109 – June 10, 2008 (Sudan)
In handling these foreign aviation incidents filed domestically, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP has become a leader on the issues of Jurisdiction, Venue, and Forum Non Conveniens. In addition, its national reputation as a firm that has tried in excess of 1,000 cases to verdict in 35 states has resulted in early dismissals of Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP clients without any payment.
Given the high stakes in aviation litigation, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP utilizes its experienced senior trial counsel, many of whom are Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers, to coordinate the defense of this multi-party and multi-forum mass-tort litigation.
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP lawyers know the importance of minimizing business interruption for clients as well as avoiding unexpected issues and substantial changes in evaluation. Therefore, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is committed to early and accurate case evaluation as well as clear, concise communication for status reports, market reports, and strategy recommendations.
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP lawyers have many years of proven success in navigating the applicable legal doctrines, conventions and treaties governing both domestic and foreign airline travel such as:
- Warsaw Convention
- Montreal Convention
- Airline Deregulation Act
- Federal Aviation Act
- Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act
- General Aviation Revitalization Act
In addition to handling foreign aviation incidents, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP lawyers have played an instrumental role in domestic aviation litigation since the United Airlines crash of Flight 553 near Midway Airport on December 8, 1972 and the May 25, 1979 crash of American Airlines Flight 191 at O’Hare Airport. Since then, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP lawyers have been handling cargo, property damage, personal injury, and product liability claims as both lead and local trial counsel. In addition, the firm’s depth and understanding of the complex aviation industry has led our clients to seek our advice as it relates to business disputes, leasing and intellectual property.
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP brings great value to its clients because lawyers, paralegals, and staff have substantial practical experience coordinating hundreds of claims arising out of the same set of operative facts. In fact, many clients rely upon Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP as their national coordinating or general counsel. The firm is prepared to deploy its skilled staff and state-of-the-art technology to bring efficiency in coordinating aviation litigation worldwide.
