February 13, 2003
Rapoport Weisberg & Sims P.C. announced that a $1.375 million settlement has been reached between its client, a flight instructor, and the United States Government in a case involving a small airplane crash.
On March 18, 1999, a student pilot, with a flight instructor on board, was practicing a touch-and-go maneuver at the St. Louis Downtown Parks Airport in Cahokia, Illinois when the Socata “Tampico” aircraft the student pilot was flying crashed as a result of coming into contact with the wake turbulence of an Army Chinook helicopter. David E. Rapoport and Paul D. Richter of Rapoport Weisberg & Sims P.C. alleged that the airplane crash was a result of the local air traffic controller’s failure to issue a wake turbulence warning to the small airplane, and the helicopter pilot’s failure to properly follow his landing clearance.
While the National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of the aviation accident included the “flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the flight,” trial attorney Paul Richter commented that “I am pleased that we were able to provide financial remuneration in this case, but I am even more gratified to be able to salvage our client’s reputation as a fine pilot and flight instructor.”
Rapoport Weisberg & Sims P.C. is a personal injury law firm based in Chicago, Illinois. The personal injury attorneys at Rapoport Weisberg & Sims P.C. have achieved multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for individuals with lawsuits arising from medical malpractice, product liability, semitruck and motor vehicle accidents, workplace injuries and construction accidents in Illinois and Wisconsin. Rapoport Weisberg & Sims P.C.’s premier aviation negligence lawyers represent victims of commercial and general aviation disasters nationwide.
If you feel you may be in need of legal services, personally email an attorney from Rapoport Weisberg & Sims P.C. for a free case evaluation or telephone our Chicago office toll free at 866-693-3806.
