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Sharks circling Hudson landing
When US Airways ponied up $5,000 a passenger for the passengers of Flight 1549, most seemed skeptical. Commenter Bill opined, "I'm guessing those $5000 checks won't stop any lawsuits." A recent story in USA Today confirms this view. And, of course, lawyers have been contacted.Joe Hart wants his bloody nose and bruises "made whole." The salesman from Charlotte also says it's too soon to know what emotional distress he has endured. So, while a hero is lauded, Hart is telegraphing his intentions.
According to US Airways, the $5,000 checks were for "immediate needs" that passengers may have and were not intended to mitigate the risk of litigation. Some say this isn't enough. Gail Dunham, executive director of the National Air Disaster & Alliance Foundation, a safety advocate, remarks, "We're grateful everyone survived, and the captain on the plane was so marvelous." She notes, however, that passengers have lost important personal effects, such as briefcases, cell phones, BlackBerrys and business documents.
Oh, and they "and went through a terrific ordeal."
The fact that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) may need the recovered personal items for several weeks or more in order to determine their weights does not seem to be a priority for Dunham. Safety, I guess, should take a back seat to remuneration.
Several passengers, including Hart, claim that they had more than $5,000 in personal items on the plane. The fact that (a) the check is intended to be a stopgap measure and (b) that it is not intended to stem lawsuits does not seem to have entered into Hart's thinking (or Dunham's). Before passengers can be compensated fully, US Airways needs to know what's been lost ... which can't happen until the NTSB has finished its safety-related exercise.
For some, future lives aren't as important as adjusting payouts in excess of $5,000.
Even with the entire process beholden to the NTSB's review, US Airways Vice President Jim Olson has noted that passengers are being contacted by an insurance claims specialist and that they will be reimbursed as necessary above the $5,000 threshold. Per the U.S. Department of Transportation, airlines are only liable for up to $3,300 per passenger for lost or damaged checked bags (on domestic flights). They tend to disclaim liability for carry-ons unless someone on the flight crew has a hand in stowing the bag.
Interestingly, anybody who has not suffered a financial loss of less than $5,000 probably won't be asked for a refund. I love to pick on the airlines, but this seems downright reasonable!
Several passengers have reached out to Kreindler & Kreindler, a plaintiff firm that specializes in crashes. Attorneys from the firm are looking into the injuries and emotional distress sustained by passengers.
[Via USA Today, photo by jkrums via twitpic]
For some, future lives aren't as important as adjusting payouts in excess of $5,000.
Even with the entire process beholden to the NTSB's review, US Airways Vice President Jim Olson has noted that passengers are being contacted by an insurance claims specialist and that they will be reimbursed as necessary above the $5,000 threshold. Per the U.S. Department of Transportation, airlines are only liable for up to $3,300 per passenger for lost or damaged checked bags (on domestic flights). They tend to disclaim liability for carry-ons unless someone on the flight crew has a hand in stowing the bag.
Interestingly, anybody who has not suffered a financial loss of less than $5,000 probably won't be asked for a refund. I love to pick on the airlines, but this seems downright reasonable!
Several passengers have reached out to Kreindler & Kreindler, a plaintiff firm that specializes in crashes. Attorneys from the firm are looking into the injuries and emotional distress sustained by passengers.
[Via USA Today, photo by jkrums via twitpic]
Filed under: Business, North America, United States, Airlines, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
nissu Jan 27th 2009 2:53PM
"Attorneys from the firm are looking into the injuries and emotional distress sustained by passengers."
Asking for millions (which will surely happen) due to "emotional distress" or "trauma" (which I'm sure is real) is bullshit. Only in USA, I guess.
Does receiving $5 million US dollars in damages cure the nightmares and make the distress go away?
It was an unfortunate accident and they should be thankful for being *alive*.
Bill C Jan 27th 2009 4:11PM
Wimpy Joe Greedy Hart is lucky to be whole! This idiot represents what is wrong with America today. This idiot should be thanking U.S. Airways -- not making threats of law suits. Give Joey a wedgie and send him back to his mother. Maybe she can teach him what she missed the first time around. Gratitude.
Bob Johansmeyer Jan 27th 2009 6:20PM
Give them a free flight that doesn't make it and they all drown.
Stephanus Surjaputra Jan 27th 2009 7:32PM
I'll have to agree with Nissu and Bill C. If I walked out of a plane wreck alive, I'd be thanking God not looking to sue the airline.
sloane Apr 1st 2009 8:54AM
$5,000 sounds pretty good to me. But an increased offer would be pennies for US Airways next to the positive press the generous gesture would demonstrate.
On his marketing blog, Dr. Tantillo named US Airways last week's brand winner for focusing on 'core brand essentials' such as security concerns (for employing someone like Sullenberger).
http://blog.marketingdoctor.tv/2009/01/17/brand-winners-and-losers-us-airways-and-citibank.aspx
brooks Feb 3rd 2009 11:28AM
maybe these people should thank us air for saving their lives
Carla Feb 3rd 2009 1:31PM
I wondered who would be first to sue. Its just a shame that it has to come to this. Wouldnt it have been great if NO one on that plane thought that way. They all were so grateful for the pilot and to be alive.
I agree , get another plane.. Get a terrorist to pilot it and send it right into the ocean with them on it.