Mangalore crash victims' families hire U.S. law firms

Mumbai: Families of more than 10 Mangalore air crash victims have hired three leading American law firms as attorneys to take up their cases. This can open many possibilities as the law firms are now investigating if there can be a case of “multiple culpability”, wherein they may sue Boeing, the insurance companies, airplane leasing banks, or any related companies for any violations.
Masry & Vititoe, Giradi & Keese, Engstrom, Lipscomb and Lack are the three law firms that are investigating the possibilities in the case. They have appointed George Hatcher, a specialised air crash consultant to look into the case. M. Dhruva & Partners, a Mumbai-based team of Advocates and Solicitors will assist these law firms in processing the claims of the relatives of some victims.
It is not yet decided if a lawsuit will be filed in the American court or the lawyers will only negotiate to increase the compensation bounty. The affected families stand a chance of being compensated according to international standards, which will be quite a sizeable amount after being converted to Indian rupees. Other families too can approach these firms.
On May 22, 2010, Dubai-Mangalore Air India Express IX-812 had overshot the runway killing 158 on board.
“When you buy a seat in the plane, you have the right to maximum insurance,” Mr. Hatcher said. Usually, the insurance companies hire consortium of lawyers to reduce the cost of claims. “There should be legal representation for the victims' families as well,” he said.
The 10-odd families need not shell out any money now. In the USA, lawyers work on percentages and the families will have to pay them a part of the claim that they will win in case the lawsuit is filed.
20/07/10 The Hindu

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