Our Los Angeles aviation accident lawyers identify every liable party and recover the full compensation you deserve. Over $100 million recovered. No fee unless we win.
From LAX and the Tom Bradley terminal to Van Nuys, Hollywood Burbank, Long Beach, and Whiteman Field in Pacoima, Los Angeles sits under some of the busiest airspace in the country. Commercial fleets, charter and private jets, flight schools, news and medical helicopters, and Catalina runs, all sharing it. Our office is right here in Los Angeles , and we know which airlines, ground crews, airport operators, and insurers fight hardest to blame the passenger.
Unable to come to us? We’ll meet by phone or video, or visit you at home or in the hospital — including out of state.
The results we have achieved do not guarantee any similar result for your or any other potential case.
Aviation disaster litigation differs from standard personal injury law. These cases demand a law firm with deep knowledge of federal aviation laws, National Transportation Safety Board investigation procedures, and California liability rules – plus the resources to go up against airline companies and corporate insurers. That’s exactly what we deliver from our Los Angeles office at 515 Flower St in downtown LA.
Direct attorney access – you speak with Belal Hamideh personally, not intake staff. He negotiates your settlement himself, so your case is never left unchanged on someone else’s desk.
Medical care first – we arrange treatment on lien before paperwork so you get the care you need, even if you can’t pay upfront.
Technical depth – a reputable aviation attorney coordinates with accident reconstructionists and aerospace engineers. We work with these professionals on every aviation case to build the strongest claim possible.
Local presence – our office sits in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, minutes from the Los Angeles Superior Court and federal court, giving us the ability to act fast when aviation accident claims require quick investigation due to time-sensitive evidence.
Aviation accidents are among the most challenging cases in personal injury law. They require a thorough investigation, access to expert networks, and an understanding of just what makes these claims different – from FAA compliance questions to international treaties. Our track record covers the full range of aircraft accident types across Southern California.
Los Angeles sees over 63 million annual flights at LAX alone, making it one of the busiest aviation corridors on earth. When airline passengers suffer injuries during flight, takeoff, landing, or even while boarding at the gate, airlines owe passengers a duty of care for safety. We handle cases involving major carriers at LAX and regional airports, including ground accidents and crew members’ negligence that caused harm to passengers.
Private plane crashes and charter flight accidents happen regularly at Van Nuys, Burbank, and Long Beach Airport – all busy general aviation hubs. These cases often involve pilot error, mechanical failure, and maintenance issues. In June 2026, a Cessna at Whiteman Airport in Pacoima suffered a landing gear failure that caused a runway overrun – a reminder that airplane crashes involving small aircraft are a persistent risk across Los Angeles. Whether you’re a passenger, a bystander, or a family member of someone killed in a private plane accident, we can help.
Helicopter accidents present their own dangers. In 2018, there were 121 helicopter accidents in the U.S., and low altitude incidents and loss of control caused 47% of fatal helicopter crashes. In Los Angeles, helicopter crashes involve everything from tour flights over the LA basin and coastline, to medical transport helicopters, to news and police helicopters. We represent victims and families in all of these scenarios.
Investigating aviation accidents requires review of extensive technical evidence – from cockpit voice recordings and maintenance logs to pilot training records and air traffic control communications. Here are the most common causes we see in Los Angeles aviation cases:
Pilot error and training deficiencies – Human error is a common cause of aviation accidents and often the leading cause of plane crashes. Insufficient training, fatigue, and poor decision-making in inclement weather all contribute.
Mechanical failure and defective aircraft parts – Defective parts cause many airplane crashes. Mechanical malfunctions can cause planes to crash even when the pilot does everything right. California has strict product liability rules impacting fault and damages assessment, which means manufacturers and parts suppliers can be held accountable.
Poor maintenance and inspection failures – When maintenance companies skip required inspections, use non-certified parts, or fail to meet maintenance standards set by the Federal Aviation Administration, they put every person on that aircraft at risk.
Air traffic control errors – At busy LA-area airports, operational errors by air traffic controllers can create dangerous situations, including mid air collisions and runway conflicts.
Weather conditions and airport safety issues – Inclement weather, wind shear, runway defects, and approach-zone obstacles at airports throughout the region are a critical component in many aviation accidents.
Multiple parties can be held liable in aviation accidents. Airplane crashes often involve multiple potentially liable parties, and identifying every responsible party is essential to recovering maximum compensation. Aviation legal cases can involve multiple jurisdictions depending on the flight, and the investigation often spans federal, state, and even international legal issues.
Airlines and aircraft operators – whether commercial carriers or private charter operators
Aircraft manufacturers and parts suppliers – defective parts can lead to liability in aviation accidents under California’s strict product liability laws
Maintenance companies and repair facilities – for missed inspections, improper repairs, or use of uncertified components
Pilots and crew members – when negligence, recklessness, or violation of FAA rules caused or contributed to the crash
Air traffic control and airport authorities – claims against government entities may require filing an administrative claim within six months under California Government Code
Airplane owners – under California law, every owner of an aircraft can be liable for death or injury resulting from negligent operation
Aviation accident claims can reach millions in compensation. Under California law, accident victims and their families may recover:
Medical expenses – past, present, and future treatment costs, rehabilitation, and adaptive equipment. Victims can pursue damages for medical expenses from the moment injuries occurred.
Lost wages and future earning capacity – compensation may include lost wages due to injury and claims can include lost future income and emotional trauma damages.
Pain and suffering – damages can cover pain and suffering from the accident, including emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.
Wrongful death damages – surviving family members can file wrongful death lawsuits seeking burial expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship for each individual wrongful death claim. Learn more about how wrongful death claims work.
Punitive damages – in cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct, California courts may award punitive damages to punish especially reckless behavior.
California applies comparative negligence in personal injury cases, meaning your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault – but you can still recover even if you were partly responsible. The Montreal Convention may apply to certain international aviation claims, which can affect both liability and damage calculations.
Time limits are strict in aviation cases. Missing a deadline can destroy your right to recover compensation entirely:
California’s two-year statute of limitations – Victims have two years to file a civil claim in California from the date of injury or death under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1.
Government claims – six months – If your case involves an airport authority, city, or state agency, you may need to file an administrative claim within just six months.
International flight deadlines – For accidents on international flights, the Montreal Convention imposes a strict two-year limitation period that begins at the date of arrival or expected arrival – even if you discover your injury later.
Federal deadlines – Aviation accident cases are often complicated and may involve federal law and international treaties, each with their own filing requirements. The NTSB investigates every plane and helicopter crash in the U.S., and preserving that evidence while it’s still available is essential.
Early legal action protects both your rights and the evidence. Contact an attorney immediately after such an accident – critical evidence like maintenance logs, flight data, and witness statements can be lost or destroyed if you wait.
We represent aviation accident victims and families throughout Los Angeles County:
Downtown Los Angeles and Financial District – steps from our office at 515 Flower St
LAX area – including El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, and Hawthorne
San Fernando Valley – including Van Nuys Airport vicinity, Pacoima, and surrounding neighborhoods
Long Beach and surrounding areas near Long Beach Airport
Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Westside communities
Pasadena, Glendale, and northeast LA County
We also serve clients throughout Southern California from our offices in Torrance, Palos Verdes, Irvine, and San Diego. If your accident happened anywhere in the region, we can help.
We believe every injured cyclist deserves top-tier legal representation. That’s why we work on a pure contingency basis: