At least 44 victims of the Singapore Airlines crash in Taipei, which killed 83 people, are suing the company, aircraft manufacturer Boeing and Taiwan's airport authorities, The Straits Times reported yesterday.
The Chicago-based Nolan Law Group, which has successfully claimed millions of dollars for victims of other major commercial airline crashes, said it is representing 40 of those suing over the crash of SQ006. Other US firms are representing the remainder.
"Some clients can no longer travel for work as they are scared to fly," said Nolan attorney Manuel Ribbeck. "Some families have lost their breadwinners through death or injury."
The Boeing 747-400 bound for Los Angeles slammed into construction equipment Oct. 31 while taking off from the wrong runway at CKS Airport. The claims are for wrongful death, injuries, loss of income and psychological trauma.
The firm has advised victims against accepting the airline's compensation offers. The flag carrier has offered US$400,000 to the families of those killed and US$20,000 to unhurt passengers and crew. The law firm described the compensation as inadequate.
At least 10 of the 13 surviving cabin crew members have engaged the firm. Crew who escaped with minor or no physical injuries have been asked by SIA to undergo medical tests to determine whether they are ready to return to work. Some of them feel SIA has treated them insensitively, Ribbeck said.
All the the civil suits have been filed in California.
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