Aviation accidents are some of the most horrific events a family can experience. Survivors are rare in most crashes. If there are survivors, they often face life-altering injuries, significant psychological trauma, and a legal landscape that is far more complex than a standard personal injury case.
Aviation accident claims are governed by a combination of federal law, international treaties, and state law—and which applies depends on the type of aircraft, the nature of the flight, and where and how the accident occurred.
Navigating those layers while grieving or recovering from serious injuries is an enormous burden. At Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers, our aviation accident lawyers handle every aspect of that process for our clients.
If you lost a loved one in an aviation accident or survived one yourself, contact us today for a free consultation.
Who We Help After an Aviation Accident
Our aviation accident lawyers help people during the most traumatic and life-changing events of their lives. We help survivors and families by handling the complex legal process on their behalf.
More specifically, we represent:
- Families grieving the death of a loved one after a crash
- Survivors of non-crash aviation incidents
- Spouses, children, and dependents facing sudden financial hardship
- People seeking answers about why an accident happened and who is liable
Aviation Accidents in Louisiana
Louisiana’s aviation landscape is unusually diverse. The state is served by major commercial airports including Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, plus dozens of regional and private airfields. It is also home to one of the largest offshore helicopter transport industries in the world, supporting oil and gas operations throughout the Gulf of Mexico.
Agriculture-related aviation and crop dusting by Louisiana’s rice, sugarcane, and soybean industries adds another category of aviation activity with its own unique risks.
Although aviation accidents are statistically rare, when they occur, the consequences can be devastating—and the legal process that follows is anything but straightforward.
Types of Airplane Accidents We Handle
Aviation accidents can happen because of severe turbulence, a mechanical failure, an emergency landing, or many other reasons. These are some of the types of aviation accidents we see at our law firm.
Commercial Airline Accidents
Crashes, emergency landings, runway incidents, and in-flight emergencies involving commercial carriers are governed by a complex mix of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, airline policies, and federal and international law. Airlines have substantial resources. Having legal representation in these cases is especially important for victims.
Private and Charter Plane Accidents
Preventable accidents involving privately owned aircraft and charter flights operating under FAA General Operations (Part 91) are more common than they should be. Louisiana alone has a long list of incidents involving “general aviation flights,” the term for noncommercial flights:
- In March 2026, the pilot of a private passenger plane was killed in a crash at Lake Rodemacher outside Sharp, Louisiana.
- In November 2025, a pilot and flight instructor died when their plane crashed into Lake Pontchartrain during a training session.
- In October 2025, three people died in a small plane crash near Vatican, Louisiana, in Lafayette Parish.
General aviation flights are still governed by the FAA, but operational measures are more relaxed. Liability for these accidents may fall on the pilot, the aircraft owner, a charter operator, a maintenance provider, or a parts manufacturer.
Offshore Helicopter Transport Accidents
Thousands of Louisiana workers are transported by helicopter to and from offshore oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico every year. Offshore helicopter accidents may implicate the Jones Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCS), and general maritime law, plus standard aviation liability principles.
Medical Transport and Air Ambulance Accidents
Helicopter and fixed-wing medical transport is common across Louisiana’s rural parishes, where ground transport to trauma centers can take too long. Accidents involving air ambulances raise questions about operator liability, aircraft maintenance, and FAA compliance.
Agricultural Aviation Accidents
Aerial application aircraft, or “crop dusters,” operate at low altitudes in agricultural regions throughout the Acadiana and Delta regions. Accidents can injure ground workers, bystanders, and pilots, and could involve liability on the part of the operator, the landowner, or a chemical manufacturer.
In-flight Injuries (Non-Crash Incidents)
Not every aviation-related injury is caused by a crash. Severe turbulence, abrupt maneuvers, falling overhead luggage, and beverage cart accidents can cause serious injuries to passengers. These claims are typically pursued against the airline under theories of negligence and common carrier liability.
Common Causes of Aviation Accidents
Investigating aviation accidents requires deep knowledge of federal regulations and safety standards. It also requires understanding the common causes of accidents and how to prevent them in the future.
Common causes of aviation accidents include:
- Pilot error: Misjudgments during takeoff, landing, or in-flight maneuvers can lead to catastrophic results.
- Mechanical failures: Faulty engines, rotor systems, or other critical components can cause accidents.
- Weather conditions: Sudden storms, fog, or turbulence may contribute to accidents or injuries during flights.
- Bird strikes: During takeoff or landing, planes can collide with birds, damaging engines or causing loss of control.
- Air traffic control mistakes: Miscommunications or errors from ground control can create dangerous situations.
- Maintenance or manufacturing defects: Airlines or manufacturers may be liable if mechanical issues were preventable or improperly addressed.
Even when a full-fledged crash does not occur, turbulence, abrupt maneuvers, or malfunctions can leave passengers injured and terrified.
Why Aviation Accident Cases Are Legally Complex
Aviation accident claims are governed by a layered legal framework that sets them apart from standard personal injury cases.
NTSB Investigations
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates virtually all civil aviation accidents in the U.S. Investigations are focused on safety improvement, not liability, and findings cannot be admitted as evidence of fault in civil litigation. This means victims cannot simply point to an NTSB report to prove their case; independent legal investigation is essential.
Federal Jurisdiction
Aviation cases often involve federal law rather than—or in addition to—state law. FAA regulations govern pilot certification, aircraft airworthiness, maintenance requirements, and air traffic control operations. Violations of federal aviation regulations can establish negligence, and many aviation cases are litigated in federal court.
The Montreal Convention
For international flights, claims against airlines are governed by the Montreal Convention, an international treaty that establishes strict liability for passenger injury and death up to certain limits, and sets a two-year statute of limitations from the date of scheduled or actual arrival.
Strict Liability and Vicarious Liability
Depending on the circumstances, aviation accident cases may involve strict product liability claims against aircraft or component manufacturers, and vicarious liability theories that hold airlines responsible for the negligence of their pilots and crew members.
Aviation accident claims can be incredibly complicated. It takes a legal team with deep knowledge and experience to untangle the applicable laws and identify each party who may have played a role in your accident.
Call Dudley DeBosier now for a free case review and let us guide you through the legal process.
The Role of Expert Witnesses in Plane Crash Cases
Aviation accident claims require testimony from specialized experts. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, our team can work with:
- Accident reconstruction specialists who analyze flight data, cockpit voice recordings, and physical evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to an accident.
- Aviation maintenance and engineering experts who evaluate whether an aircraft was airworthy, properly maintained, or suffered from a design or manufacturing defect.
- Meteorologists with aviation expertise who assess whether weather conditions were accurately reported, forecasted, or factored into the flight decision.
- Experts in pilot performance, fatigue, cockpit design, and crew resource management who address questions of pilot error and decision-making.
- Economic and vocational experts who calculate the full economic impact of an injury or death, including lost earning capacity and lifetime care costs.
Injuries and Loss in Aviation Accidents
For most families, a plane crash means they’ve lost a loved one. When people do survive aviation accidents, they may experience:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Catastrophic injuries requiring long-term care
- Psychological trauma, including anxiety and PTSD
Our team investigates all possible angles to ensure families and survivors receive the compensation they deserve for their medical care and ongoing psychological support.
Liability in Airplane and Helicopter Accidents
Determining fault in aviation accidents is highly complex. Multiple parties may be liable:
- Airlines: For failing to maintain aircraft, employ certified or properly trained staff, or follow safety procedures
- Pilots or crew members: For negligent actions during flight (pilot error is the most common cause of aviation accidents.)
- Manufacturers: For defective parts or design flaws
- Maintenance providers: For improperly serviced or inspected aircraft
- Air traffic controllers: For communication errors that contribute to accidents
Louisiana families often face the added complexity of federal aviation laws, which dictate the processes, deadlines, and venues for filing claims. An attorney with aviation law experience can make sure the right legal framework is applied to your case.
Compensation Available After an Aviation Accident
After an aviation accident, families and survivors face complex financial challenges alongside their grief and recovery. Dudley DeBosier’s Louisiana aviation accident attorneys can identify every potential source of compensation and work to secure it so that you can move forward with confidence.
Compensation for survivors can include:
- Hospitalization and all medical treatment
- Rehabilitation therapy and long-term care
- Lost income, benefits, and future earning potential
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
Compensation available in wrongful death claims can include:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of a loved one’s income and future earnings
- Loss of companionship and consortium
- Medical expenses incurred before death
Filing Deadlines in Aviation Accident Cases
The deadline to file an aviation accident claim depends on the type of accident and the applicable legal framework.
- Louisiana personal injury claims: For most aviation accidents involving domestic flights, Louisiana’s two-year prescriptive period
- International flights: Claims against airlines for international flights are subject to a two-year limitation period from the date of scheduled or actual arrival at the destination.
- Offshore helicopter and maritime incidents: Claims involving offshore platform workers may be subject to different deadlines under the Jones Act or general maritime law and can vary significantly.
Steps to Take After an Aviation Accident
Experiencing an aviation accident is truly unthinkable, whether you’re a survivor or a family member of someone who was hurt or killed.
Nobody expects you to think on your feet in the aftermath of such a tragedy, but knowing what to do immediately after an accident can protect your health, preserve critical evidence, and protect your legal rights.
Taking the following steps can make a significant difference for survivors and families when recovering and pursuing compensation:
- Seek immediate medical care. Survivors may have injuries that are not immediately obvious, although most are clearly injured.
- Preserve evidence. Collect documentation, flight records, photos, and witness statements if possible.
- Avoid speaking to the airline’s insurer. Some of the statements you make can be used to limit your compensation.
- Contact an aviation accident lawyer. Early connection with a lawyer is critical in meeting deadlines, navigating federal regulations, and proving complex liability.
Dudley DeBosier Helps Aviation Accident Victims in Louisiana
Aviation accident cases require an understanding of federal aviation regulations, NTSB investigations, and the overlapping liability laws that apply to commercial carriers, private operators, offshore transporters, and manufacturers. Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers has that valuable knowledge and can take the legal burden from you.
Partnering with us gets you a team that can:
- Conduct an independent investigation alongside the NTSB process
- Collect flight records, maintenance logs, and expert analysis
- Identify all potentially liable parties
- Work with aviation experts to build evidence for a strong case
- Navigate the federal and international laws that apply
- Communicate with insurers, airline representatives, and federal agencies
- Take your case to trial if a fair resolution cannot be reached
Contact Dudley DeBosier today for a free consultation.
