Aviation Litigation
Knowles Law Firm, PC practices in the area of aviation litigation. The firm will assist you in a time of need to seek justice and hold the responsible parties accountable
services
Aviation Litigation
Knowles Law Firm, PC practices in the area of aviation litigation. The firm will assist you in a time of need to seek justice and hold the responsible parties accountable. Aviation litigation refers to legal claims and causes of action related to an incident involving domestic or international aviation disasters or other incidents resulting in wrongful death or personal injury. The firm handles aviation claims and litigation pertaining to commercial airline crashes, private airline crashes, cargo airline crashes, helicopter crashes, drone related injuries, mechanical malfunctions, personal injury while aboard, embarking, or disembarking a flight.
Aviation Whistleblower Law
Additionally, the firm handles airline industry whistleblower claims. Knowles Law Firm, PC has and currently represents numerous The Boeing Co. employee whistleblowers, who have alleged violations of Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) regulations, raised serious safety and quality concerns, and faced retaliation. The FAA has substantiated many of the firm’s clients’ complaints.
Profits Over Safety & Profits Over People
Unfortunately, the airline industry often times utilizes its extreme power and influence to place profits over safety and profits over people. Airline industry whistleblowers play an important role in society to ensure that adequate checks and balances exist to protect the safety of the flying public.
What is an Airline Industry
Whistleblower?
An airline industry whistleblower is a employee who provides knowledge and details of an air carrier safety violation to their employer and/or government entity, such as in the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or other government oversight entity in your country.
Is a Whistleblower Protected
From Retaliation?
Under the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21) 49 U.S.C. § 42121(a):
[n]o air carrier or contractor or subcontractor of an air carrier may discharge an employee or otherwise discriminate against an employee with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee (or any person acting pursuant to a request of the employee):
(1) provided, caused to be provided, or is about to provide (with any knowledge of the employer) or cause to be provided to the employer or Federal Government information relating to any violation or alleged violation of any order, regulation, or standard of the Federal Aviation Administration or any other provision of Federal law relating to air carrier safety under this subtitle or any other law of the United States;
(2) has filed, caused to be filed, or is about to file (with any knowledge of the employer) or cause to be filed a proceeding relating to any violation or alleged violation of any order, regulation, or standard of the Federal Aviation Administration or any other provision of Federal law relating to air carrier safety under this subtitle or any other law of the United States;
(3) testified or is about to testify in such a proceeding; or
(4) assisted or participated or is about to assist or participate in such a proceeding.
The reporting of FAA regulations on airplane safety are all protected conduct under AIR-21.
What is Considered Retaliation?
If you have reported violations under AIR-21, and have been threatened, coerced, restrained from acting, faced intimidation, blacklisted, constructively discharged, and/or terminated, then you have been retaliated against in violation of your federally protected rights to take action for the concern of the safety of the flying public. An airline industry whistleblower has protections to assist in the quest that profits over safety do not prevail.
What are possible remedies and recovery Under AIR-21?
- Reinstatement
- Lost Wages and Benefits
- Emotional Distress
- Reputational Harm
- Attorneys’ Fees and Costs
- Justice and Accountability for the Responsible Parties
How to file an Air 21 CLAIM?
Within 90 days of when the whistleblower knew or should have known of adverse retaliatory action, and AIR-21 complaint must be filed initially with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In 2015, the FAA and OSHA entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate cooperation and coordination concerning the protection of whistleblowers under AIR-21. “The FAA has responsibility to investigate complaints related to air carrier safety and has authority under the FAA’s statute to enforce air safety regulations and issue sanctions to airmen and air carriers for noncompliance with these regulations. FAA enforcement action may include air carrier and/or airman certificate suspension and/or revocation and/or the imposition of civil penalties. Additionally, FAA may issue civil penalties for violations of 49 U.S.C. § 42121. OSHA has the responsibility to investigate employee complaints of discrimination and may order a violator to take affirmative action to abate the violation, reinstate the complainant to his or her former position with back pay, and award compensatory damages, including attorney fees.”
If you or a loved one has suffered personal injury or wrongful death as a result of the negligence of others, you may be able to file a claim or lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries.
If you are an airline industry whistleblower fired as a result of making a complaint under AIR-21, you may be able to seek compensation for your damages.
Contact an Aviation Lawyer at
Contact us for inquiries
Knowles Law Firm, PC will advocate for your rights.
United States
768 St. Andrews Blvd. Charleston, SC 29407 USA
Netherlands
WTC The Hague Business Center Princes Margrietplantsoen 33 2595 AM The Hague, Netherlands