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Aviation Litigation

In the specialized area of aviation litigation, Leader & Berkon offers unmatched experience, from complex fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter crash cases to more routine airline incident and airport related damages actions.

We were retained by the London insurance market to represent ten foreign "non-carriers" in litigation arising out of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Ultimately, plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed all claims against those non-carriers. Our firm defended several actions brought as a result of a fatal helicopter crash that occurred during an emergency air medical call in Hartford, Connecticut in which we represented the owner and operator of the helicopter. That litigation was successfully resolved in mediation.

Moreover, our firm demonstrates its expertise through representation of major airlines in a variety of litigated matters. One such case involved a complicated medical controversy centering on the question of whether someone can develop multiple sclerosis from a head injury sustained aboard an aircraft. In another case, our attorneys obtained a rare summary judgment in a false imprisonment case concerning the overnight detention of persons suspected of airline ticket fraud. The firm has also been involved in airport premises and construction liability matters.

Leader & Berkon participated in the defense of DuPont in defending litigation concerning the crash of a Swissair aircraft over Nova Scotia. Ultimately, the defense team was successful in keeping DuPont completely out of the settlement of all claims.

The firm also represented an Ecuadorian company in connection with the crash of one of its corporate aircraft in which all passengers and the crew were killed. The case was resolved successfully through mediation.

In one of the most protracted and difficult litigations in the annals of general aviation, Fred Berkon represented United States Aviation Underwriters with respect to the crash of an executive jet owned by Texasgulf. In the course of the litigation, Mr. Berkon headed up the defense team that was engaged in two rare, back-to-back federal court jury trials spanning nearly six months.