If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a small aircraft accident, you need a legal team with the experience, resources, and reputation to fight for justice. At Pritzker Hageman, our nationally recognized transportation accident attorneys are ready to represent victims of small plane crashes and their families in injury and wrongful death cases nationwide.
Why Choose Pritzker Hageman for a Small Plane Crash Lawsuit?
At Pritzker Hageman, we have built our reputation by winning high-stakes, high-complexity injury and wrongful death cases. Our attorneys have extensive experience with cases involving catastrophic injury and fatal accident litigation. Our experience allows us to understand the complexities of small plane crashes — which can be among the most complicated cases to litigate due to overlapping state, federal, and aviation laws. Our decades of experience in aviation, transportation and product liability law position us to anticipate the challenges these cases present and overcome them effectively.
We understand that aviation accident litigation involves federal law, aviation regulations, and in-depth technical investigation. Our attorneys have the resources and strategic knowledge to pursue claims against both private and commercial aviation entities.
- Decades of experience handling complex transportation and product liability litigation.
- Multimillion-dollar recoveries in wrongful death and serious injury cases.
- Access to top aviation experts, including pilots, air traffic control consultants, aircraft engineers, and accident reconstructionists.
- A record of taking on major corporations, like aircraft manufacturers, charter companies, and maintenance contractors.
We have access to a network of the nation’s top aviation experts, including former pilots, aircraft engineers, FAA consultants, and crash reconstruction specialists. These professionals help us investigate every aspect of the crash to uncover negligence and build compelling cases for liability and damages. Our proven record of securing multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts demonstrates our ability to take on even the largest manufacturers and companies — and win.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Small Plane Crash?
Aviation accidents require a comprehensive investigation to determine all liable parties. Potential defendants may include:
- The pilot or owner of the aircraft
- A charter or tour company operating the plane
- The aircraft manufacturer (e.g., Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft)
- A maintenance provider or mechanic
- The airport or air traffic controllers
- Parts manufacturers of defective components (engine, avionics, fuel systems)
Determining liability in a small aircraft accident often requires an exhaustive and technical investigation. Liability can lie with any one of several individuals or entities, and in many cases, multiple parties share responsibility. These may include the pilot, especially if there is evidence of error, fatigue, or substance use. The charter or tour operator may be liable for failing to follow safety protocols or for operating under poor weather conditions.
We also have looked at cases where the aircraft manufacturer bears responsibility due to design defects or failures in safety-critical components like engines or avionics. If improper or negligent maintenance contributed to the crash, the mechanic or maintenance company could be held liable. Additionally, airports or air traffic control services may play a role, particularly in cases involving miscommunication or failure to respond appropriately in emergencies. We leave no stone unturned in pursuing justice for our clients.
Types of Small Aircraft Involved
We represent individuals and families affected by a wide range of small aircraft accidents. These include privately owned planes and jets, such as single-engine Cessnas or twin-propeller Beechcraft models. We are also ready to help victims of crashes involving air taxi or charter operations — including flights run by private charter companies or sightseeing services that cut corners on maintenance or pilot training.
Our firm also handles medical transport aircraft incidents, where patients or medical personnel are injured during emergency flights. Flight school accidents — often involving student pilots or instructors — raise unique legal questions around supervision and aircraft ownership. Agricultural aircraft, like crop dusters, present risks due to their specialized design and use in rugged conditions. No matter the aircraft or the nature of the flight, we are prepared to litigate these cases to the fullest extent.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered?
When someone is injured or killed in a small plane crash, the financial, emotional, and psychological toll can be overwhelming. Victims may face long hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and permanent disabilities that interfere with every aspect of life. Family members left behind may experience grief, trauma, and the sudden loss of household income and support.
Our firm works to recover every form of compensation available under the law. That includes medical expenses (both current and future), lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and emotional distress. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may recover funeral expenses, loss of consortium, and loss of future income and support. In especially egregious cases, such as when safety regulations were deliberately ignored, we may pursue punitive damages to hold wrongdoers accountable and send a message.
Wrongful Death Claims in Small Plane Crashes
Few experiences are more tragic than losing a loved one in an unexpected and preventable plane crash. We understand the grief families face in the wake of such loss, and we’re here to offer both legal support and an opportunity to provide an independent investigation to get you answers. Our wrongful death attorneys are experienced in representing parents, children, and spouses seeking justice after an aviation disaster.
A wrongful death claim can provide crucial financial stability and offer a sense of closure through accountability. We help families understand their rights and guide them through each phase of the legal process — from investigation and filing to settlement negotiations and trial, if necessary. We also coordinate with experts who can testify to the future financial impact of the loss and the emotional devastation it brings. Learn more about our approach to these cases on our Wrongful Death Lawsuits page.
Nationwide Representation for Aviation Accidents
Our practice is national in scope and we take on cases in all 50 states. Aviation accidents are governed by a mix of state and federal law, which means legal actions may be filed in multiple jurisdictions. Our attorneys have access to experts in aviation safety, crash investigation and working with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other agencies that play a critical role in aircraft crash investigations.
We travel across the country to gather evidence, meet with clients, and consult with aviation professionals. Whether your accident occurred in a remote area or near a major city, we are equipped to act quickly and effectively. We also offer remote consultations for your convenience, allowing us to begin building your case without delay.
Your Next Steps
If you or a loved one has been involved in a small aircraft accident, your actions in the immediate aftermath are critical. First, ensure that all injuries are evaluated and treated as medical documentation will be vital in supporting your case. Aviation accidents typically lead to an official response that leads to the preservation of any physical evidence, but you should make sure to preserve any records of correspondence and travel related documents connected to the incident.
Avoid giving statements to insurance companies or aviation authorities without legal counsel. Even seemingly benign comments can be used to undermine your claim. Reach out to our legal team as soon as possible. At Pritzker Hageman, we’ll step in immediately to protect your rights, initiate an independent investigation, and handle all communication with insurers and other parties.
Contact the Aviation Injury Lawyers at Pritzker Hageman
The days and weeks after a plane crash are filled with uncertainty, but you don’t have to face it alone. At Pritzker Hageman, we are committed to helping injured victims and grieving families rebuild their lives. Our attorneys have a track record of success in aviation litigation, and we bring both skill and sensitivity to every case we handle.
We offer free, no-obligation consultations and work on a contingency fee basis — which means you don’t pay unless we win. Call us today at 1-888-377-8900 or complete our online consultation form below to get started. We’re here to help you get answers, recover compensation, and achieve justice.
Contact our aviation accident attorneys today and find out how you can get compensation and justice
1-888-377-8900 (Toll-Free) | attorneys@pritzerlaw.com
The Pritzker Hageman law firm and our attorneys have been recognized in:
U.S. News & World Report
Pritzker Hageman has been recognized as one of the best law firms for personal injury litigation by U.S. News & World Report every year the award has been given since 2012.
Super Lawyers®, Thomson Reuters
Attorneys at Pritzker Hageman have been awarded the peer selected Super Lawyers distinction every year since 2004.
America’s Top 100 Attorneys®
Lifetime Achievement selection to America’s Top 100 Attorneys®.
Three Time Attorneys of the Year
Pritzker Hageman lawyers have been named Attorneys Of The Year by Minnesota Lawyer three times.
We have obtained 100+ separate verdicts and settlements greater than $1 million:
We obtained this settlement for a man who lost his arm and leg in a gas pipeline explosion.
Our client suffered a traumatic brain injury and burn injuries over 60% of his body in an explosion caused by improperly-odorized propane.
Our client suffered burn injuries over 50% of her body when a compressed natural gas line ruptured in a factory, causing an explosion.
See more settlements & verdicts.
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