Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman changed its name to Wisner Baum in January 2023.

Leaders in Aviation Accidents Over Half a Billion Dollars Won for Aviation Accidents

Reasons to Choose Wisner Baum:

  • Settled over 150 aviation cases for $1 million or more
  • Represented more than 800 passengers, crew, and victims over the past 40 years
  • First U.S. law firm to get an official public apology from an airline crash
  • Represented clients from 6 continents & 29 countries

Nationwide Aviation Accident Attorneys

Half a Billion Won for Aviation Injury Victims Worldwide in Nearly 40 Years

Located in Los Angeles, Wisner Baum is a nationally-recognized law firm entrusted with providing experienced legal representation in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits throughout the United States and internationally. We handle aviation accident lawsuits involving commercial airliners, single engine aircraft, passenger jets, helicopters and other aircraft. In our nearly 40-year history as a firm, our lawyers have represented aviation accident victims in some of the worst aviation disasters in history.

Our experience has led to successful resolutions on behalf of aviation accident victims and their families in all types of aircraft accidents, including those involving:

Don’t hesitate to call our experienced aviation accident attorneys for your aviation accident case in Los Angeles, California, or nationwide. Contact us at (855) 948-5098 or submit our online form to get started.

Billions Won for Our Clients

  • A Major US Plane Crash $17.5 Million Settlement

    Wisner Baum obtained a $17.5 million settlement on behalf of a client who was killed in a major U.S. plane crash.

  • A Major US Plane Crash $14 Million Settlement

    Wisner Baum obtained a $14 million settlement for the death of a passenger in a major US plane crash.

  • Helicopter Crash $12 Million Settlement

    Wisner Baum secured a $12 million settlement for a passenger who was injured in a helicopter crash.

  • A Major Foreign Plane Crash $10 Million Settlement

    Wisner Baum obtained a $10 million settlement for the death of a passenger in a major foreign plane crash.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Airplane Accidents?

At Wisner Baum, our years of experience handling plane crashes and other mass disasters have provided our team with a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively investigate and prepare these cases for trial or settlement.

In our experience, the most common aviation accident causes include:

  • Maintenance Negligence: It is becoming increasingly common for airlines to outsource aircraft maintenance to third parties in the U.S. and abroad. By doing this, airlines are exposing air travelers to needless risk, all in the name of boosting profits by keeping costs down.
  • Design or Manufacturing Defects: Design defects or manufacturing defects that cause or contribute to an aviation accident can serve as the foundation for product liability lawsuits against the companies responsible. Defective design is when an aircraft or a component part is manufactured correctly but something about the design made the aircraft or component part unreasonably dangerous. A design defect can affect an entire product line, not just a single product. A manufacturing defect is when an aircraft or one of its components is manufactured differently than its original design or specifications and becomes unreasonably dangerous. Manufacturing defects can affect an entire line of products or a single product.
  • Flight Crew Negligence: Crew negligence can easily lead to a U.S. airline accident. If the pilot is inattentive or not properly trained in operating the aircraft, the crew skips critical safety checks, or the flight attendants fail to complete their duties, anything from in-flight injuries, runway crashes, or even devastating mid-air plane crashes can be the result.
  • Corporate Negligence: Airline pilots and crew members are increasingly pushed by corporate policies to fly with the minimum amount of fuel to cut down on costs, or make unsafe landings to avoid delays and canceled flights. These cost cutting measures have an effect on safety and needlessly open the door to a potential U.S. airline accident.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Aviation Accidents?

We meticulously investigate the causes of each accident and pursue accountability against the:

  • Airline
  • Aviation companies
  • Airport
  • Manufacturer
  • And other negligent parties

We know that no amount of money will replace the loss of a loved one or completely restore a person to their previous health and vitality. When we take on cases stemming from plane accidents, our experienced Los Angeles team will be there to help with urgent matters, to manage and conduct an in-depth investigation, to protect our clients’ rights and to obtain full and just compensation.

We also seek non-traditional remedies where appropriate. For example, in 2003 we organized the first official public airline apology in history. At a ceremony in Charlotte, N.C., the responsible airline issued the surviving family members a public apology as part of a settlement agreement.

Examples of Our U.S. Airline Accident Cases

At Wisner Baum, we handle cases against all major airlines, including:

Our firm has a successful track record handling U.S. airline accident cases like:

  • JetBlue Flight 1416 In-Flight Incident: On September 18, 2014, JetBlue Flight 1416 departed from Long Beach Airport with 147 people onboard. Roughly 20 minutes into the Austin, Texas-bound flight, passengers heard a loud bang and smoke began to plume throughout the passenger cabin as the plane was over the Pacific Ocean. Many passengers went into panic. A few struggled to breathe. One passenger would later tell CNN that oxygen masks never fell from the ceiling, so flight attendants had to manually hand them out. Many suffered severe stress and fear of impending crash and death. Dozens of passengers forced to endure this in-flight emergency, retained Wisner Baum to represent them in their JetBlue lawsuit.
  • Continental Connection / Colgan Air Flight 3407 Crash: Our firm was retained to handle a wrongful death case that arose from the February 12, 2009 crash. Our lawsuit alleged that Flight 3407 flew into icing conditions even though the aircraft was equipped with ineffective de-icing equipment. We argued that defective aircraft design was a significant cause of this U.S. airline accident that took the lives of 50 people when it crashed into a house near Buffalo, New York.
  • Southwest Airlines Flight 1248 Crash: On December 8, 2005 Southwest Airlines Flight 1248 headed for Chicago Midway International Airport after a successful take off from Baltimore. However, the flight encountered a snow storm and the plane was delayed for 35 minutes before attempting to land on a runway that would turn out to be too small to stop the plane efficiently. The plane skidded off the runway and crashed through the airport barrier, eventually stopping on South Central Ave, killing a young child in a parked car on the street. Wisner Baum represented six of the injured passengers.
  • US Airways Express/Air Midwest Flight 5481 Crash: Air Midwest Flight 5481 taking off from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport crashed shortly after takeoff on January 8, 2003. The Raytheon Beechcraft was destroyed by impact forces and a fire that resulted from the plane impacting a nearby building. The NTSB determined several contributing factors to the cause of the accident, including the oversight of Air Midwest’s maintenance and procedures, the weight the plane was carrying and the incorrect rigging of the elevator control system. Twenty-one fatalities resulted in the crash.

Contact us at (855) 948-5098 today to schedule a free consultation. with our experienced aviation accident lawyers. Taking cases nationwide!

Investigating a Fatal Plane Crash

Due to the force and the nature of a plane accident, survivability is highly unlikely and will most often result in death to the plane’s occupants. Because of the high probability of airplane fatalities in the event of a crash, much effort is put into maintaining safe air travel. Regulatory agencies like the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) set standards and rules that govern all aviation in order to avoid fatal crashes.

While advances in technology have caused the number of commercial airline accidents to decrease in the last decade, the number of small plane crashes has mostly remained the same. Although the chances of being involved in a fatal plane crash while in an aircraft are generally very low, the chances of survival if involved in a fatal crash are also quite low.

According to information provided by the Aviation Safety Network, it is possible that only four percent of those involved in an airplane crash will survive. The NTSB is tasked with performing investigations into each fatal crash in order to determine the most likely cause. However, many fatal crashes are so devastating that the true cause of accident is difficult to determine, even for experienced investigators with the NTSB.

A USA TODAY investigation in 2013 found that many fatal crashes that the NTSB reported as being caused by pilot error, were, in fact, determined to be caused by design or manufacturing defects. The discovery process that is available only in a court of law, is one of the best tools to uncover internal company records and expose the parties truly responsible for a fatal crash.

Firm Reviews

What Our Clients Are Saying
  • I Can’t Imagine a Better Law Firm

    “Multiple lawyers recommended Wisner Baum to me and I have been consistently impressed with the quality of their work.”

    - Best Law Firms Survey
  • They Are About Changing the Systems...

    “Wisner Baum are not only amazing attorneys but more importantly, they are activists. They are about changing the systems which got us into trouble in the first place. They understand their role in the process of making change.”

    - Kim Witczak
  • Top Legal Minds in the Country

    “The Wisner Baum firm has some of the top legal minds in the country; they are driven, determined, trustworthy, ethical and passionate.”

    - From Best Lawyers® Best Law Firms
  • Diligent & Professional Representation

    “Thanks to your efforts I was able to recover from a tragic experience and turn my life around for the best.”

    - W.T.
  • Our Best Interest Was Always Number One on Your List

    “A special thank you to your Spanish-speaking staff for the extra effort put into this case. The language barrier was never a problem, and we are so very thankful to them. Your name holds much respect in our family.”

    - G.C. & C.C
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Understanding Your Legal Options After a Fatal Crash

When a loved one is lost in a fatal crash it can be difficult to know what to do next. Very few people have thought about what might happen if they lose someone in an aviation accident and they are unaware of the full extent of their legal rights following a fatal crash.

Sadly, many families are bombarded by information in an attempt to get them to quickly settle their claims. Time and time again, we have seen that airline or insurance representatives urge a quick settlement or threaten to prolong the legal process if their offer is refused, as their allegiance is only to the airline and its insurance carrier, not the passenger.

When we are hired in a fatal plane crash, our attorneys at Wisner Baum lift this burden from our clients, allowing them to focus on their healing and putting their lives back together.

Call (855) 948-5098

Contact our experienced attorneys to learn about your legal options. Your consultation is free and confidential. 

  • Best Law Firms 2023
    Best Law Firms 2023

    A ranking in The U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” is widely regarded by both client and legal professionals as a significant honor. It is considered the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals anywhere.

  • The Truck Safety Coalition
    The Truck Safety Coalition

    Wisner Baum is proud to be a sponsor of The Truck Safety Coalition, a a group of caring individuals dedicated to reducing the number of deaths and injuries caused by truck-related crashes. Our support enables them to help families and save lives.

  • California Powerhouse
    California Powerhouse

    Law360 recognizes law firms that have a strong regional presence, working on important matters within their home state. “[Wisner Baum] possesses a David v. Goliath-sized slingshot while seeking justice for everyday citizens it believes were harmed or killed through corporate wrongdoing.”

  • Elite Trial Lawyers
    Elite Trial Lawyers

    NLJ and American Lawyer Media honor law firms and attorneys as Elite Trial Lawyers for their cutting-edge legal work on behalf of plaintiffs in practice areas ranging from mass torts to securities litigation.

  • Listed in Best Lawyers
    Listed in Best Lawyers

    Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. A listing in Best Lawyers is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor, conferred on a lawyer by his or her peers.

  • AV Top Ranked Law Firm
    AV Top Ranked Law Firm

    Less than one-half of one percent of firms across the nation have achieved this ranking. A firm must have a high percentage of lawyers who have achieved the prestigious AV® Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell®.

  • Verdicts Hall of Fame
    Verdicts Hall of Fame

    The National Law Journal inducted Wisner Baum into the Verdicts Hall of Fame for obtaining the $2 billion landmark verdict in the Roundup cancer case of Pilliod et al. v. Monsanto. The verdict was #1 in California and #2 in the U.S. in 2019 and is #9 in American history.

  • Super Lawyers
    Super Lawyers

    Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

  • National Trial Lawyers Top 100
    National Trial Lawyers Top 100

    The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 recognized the law firms of Wisner Baum, the Miller Firm and Audet & Partners with the 2019 Trial Team of the Year award (in the Mass Torts category) for their work in the groundbreaking case of Dewayne “Lee” Johnson v. Monsanto Company.

  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
    AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated

    An AV® rating reflects an attorney who has reached the heights of professional excellence. The rating signifies the highest legal ability, and very high adherence to professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability, and diligence.

  • Avvo 10.0 Rating
    Avvo 10.0 Rating

    Wisner Baum is proud to have all of its lawyers listed in Avvo, a legal directory connecting people in need of legal services with lawyers and connecting lawyers to lawyers. Eight of our attorneys have earned a 10.0 perfect rating with Avvo.

  • Top Jury Verdict in <br> CA and USA
    Top Jury Verdict in
    CA and USA

    TopVerdict.com ranks our $2 billion verdict in Pilliod et al. v. Monsanto as the biggest verdict in California and the second largest verdict in the U.S. in 2019. It is the ninth largest verdict in U.S. history.

  • Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers
    Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers

    Published annually, the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list recognizes the “best of the best” in this area of the law through nominations, research, and review by a board of their peers.

  • Product Liability Practice Group of the Year
    Product Liability Practice Group of the Year

    In 2020, Law360 honored the law firms ”behind the litigation wins and major deals that resonated throughout the legal industry.” It recognized our success in several landmark cases.

  • Top Personal Injury Jury Verdict in California
    Top Personal Injury Jury Verdict in California

    In 2018, our $289 million Johnson v. Monsanto verdict was the largest personal injury verdict in California. TopVerdict.com also ranked it #2 among all verdicts in California and #10 in the nation.

  • Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
    Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers

    The Bar Register is the definitive guide to the most distinguished law firms in America. It includes only those select law practices that have earned the highest rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory and have been designated by their colleagues as preeminent in their field.

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Wisner Baum’s Extensive Aviation Experience

At Wisner Baum, our aviation lawyers have extensive experience litigating commercial airline accident claims, including performing a thorough investigation and identifying defendants and liable parties responsible for the crash in order to recover just compensation for victims and their families.

Our firm has successfully litigated cases against nearly every major airline in the United States that has been involved in plane crash since 1985, and we are also experienced in pursuing claims in the complex area of international aviation law.

In fact, we have represented personal injury victims and heirs in wrongful death cases in:

  • North America
  • South America
  • Europe
  • Asia
  • And Australia

To put it plainly, we are one of the more experienced aviation accident law firms in the world.

Some of our top settlements and verdicts include:

  • $17.5 million settlement for the death of a passenger in a major US plane crash
  • $14 million settlement for the death of a passenger in a major US plane crash
  • $12 million settlement for an injured passenger in a helicopter crash
  • $10 million settlement for the death of a passenger in a major foreign plane crash
  • $7.5 million settlement for the death of passenger in a helicopter crash

Over our careers, we are proud to have resolved major aviation accident cases against Airbus, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Aero Mexico, Asiana Airlines, British European Airways, Boeing, Bombardier, China Eastern Airlines, Delta Airlines, EgyptAir, Germanwings, Honeywell, JetBlue, Korean Air, McDonnell Douglas, Pacific Southwest Airlines, Raytheon, Singapore Airlines, SAS-Scandinavian Airline Systems, Southwest Airlines, SwissAir, TACA Airlines, TWA, United Airlines, US Airways, among others.

Some other key highlights from our aviation accident litigation efforts:

  • Settling over 148 aviation cases for $1 million or more
  • Litigated 270+ aviation crashes and incidents
  • Over $4 billion won firm-wide; over half a billion won for aviation accidents
  • More than 790 passengers, crew and victims represented over the past 40 years
  • Representing clients from 6 continents and 29 countries
  • 200+ cases handled involving Boeing aircraft
  • Extensive experience handling cases involving The Death on the High Seas Act
  • Appointed to 15 commercial aviation Plaintiffs’ Steering Committees and leadership positions
  • First U.S. law firm to get an official public apology from an airline for a crash

Contact Us Today

No Fees Unless We Win
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