Though they are generally considered rare, aviation accidents do occur. For the individuals involved and/or their families, they are terrifying and the impact can be catastrophic. Loss of life, severe bodily injury, emotional distress, and property damage are just a few of the life-altering consequences of most airplane accidents.
Through aggressive and tireless work, our firm has secured numerous settlements for victims of aviation negligence, including a substantial settlement for a life-changing injury on the plane during an international flight.
At Howry Breen & Herman, we understand the difficult time you and your family are going through. We have prosecuted numerous aviation-related accidents, from crashes of small private planes and helicopters to injuries and death on major airlines. Our Austin aviation accident attorneys can help you understand your legal options and take action against the negligent parties.
Most airplane accidents are directly or indirectly caused by negligence. In fact, a study by Boeing revealed that around 80% of commercial aviation accidents were caused by human error. The other 20% were caused by equipment failure.
Some of the leading causes of fatal aviation accidents include:
Loss of control over the aircraft
Controlled flight into terrain
Problems during approach and landing
Issues with automation
System component failures
Mechanical failure in-flight
While human error is the most common cause of aviation accidents, pilots, air traffic controllers, and other professional individuals are not always at fault. If an airline company fails to conduct proper or sufficient maintenance on an aircraft, they may be liable for any accidents that occur. Improper pilot training, failure to conduct background checks, faulty parts, defective aircraft design, and a myriad of other issues can also point to an airline company or aircraft manufacturer’s liability.
Understanding Aviation Accident Lawsuits in Austin
In Austin, our close-knit community comes together during challenging times. When a tragic aviation accident strikes, the repercussions for families can be overwhelming. Although the City of Austin and Travis County provide resources to support coping efforts, navigating the legal complexities can be daunting. At Howry Breen & Herman, we possess extensive knowledge of the local legal landscape and understand the unique challenges Austin residents face.
Comprehensive Guidance & Compassionate Care
For families grieving the loss of a loved one in an aviation accident, knowing your legal rights is essential. Local aviation authorities work diligently to promote safety, yet accidents still occur. Often, these incidents result from negligence, whether due to human error, equipment malfunction, or inadequate maintenance.
Families pursuing aviation accident lawsuits in Austin can frequently encounter emotional distress, financial burdens, and the intricate task of proving negligence. Our dedicated team can guide you through these obstacles. Whether the tragedy involved a commercial airplane, private jet, or helicopter, we are committed to helping you pursue justice and financial relief.
Our attorneys are not only skilled legal professionals; we are also members of the Austin community. We understand the local courts, judges, and the nuances of Texas aviation law. This local insight enables us to offer tailored and effective legal representation for aviation accident lawsuits. If you find yourself facing such a tragedy, please reach out to us for a free consultation. We are dedicating to supporting our clients throughout this difficult journey.
Why Hire an Aviation Accident Attorney?
Aviation accident cases are generally very complex. There might be any number of liable parties involved and often, the liable party is a large, powerful airline company or manufacturer. Some or all of the defendants act quickly to cover their tracks. Additionally, determining the true cause of an airplane accident can be very difficult. Having an experienced aviation accident attorney on your side is crucial. At Howry, Breen & Herman, we have years of experience handling these types of complicated claims. Our team works with reconstruction experts and industry specialists to determine the cause of an airplane, jet, or helicopter accident and win compensation from those responsible.
We handle aviation accident cases involving:
Commercial airplanes
Private jets and aircraft
Helicopters
Our Austin airplane accident lawyers have helped injured individuals and the families of people who were killed or injured in serious aviation accidents. We understand that financial compensation cannot negate the suffering you experienced; however, it can help ease the financial burdens associated with the accident and thereby help you begin the process of moving forward. Our team is prepared to use our decades of litigation experience to help you fight for the full, fair recovery you are owed.
I could not have found more caring people, better lawyers or a better law firm than Howry Breen & Herman.
M.A.
“We are so grateful they believed in us and partnered with us to handle this case!”
We don’t have enough words to describe how thankful we are for everything HBH did to win our business case for us. We are so grateful they believed in us and partnered with us to do it. They are amazing at what they do and we could not have had a better team. They made an enormous, positive difference for us and our business. I could not recommend them more highly.
J.K.
“We were always one step ahead!”
My lawyers at HBH were so smart and aggressive – we were always on offense and one step ahead. They just kept hammering and the other side had no answer.
T.B.
“Best in the Business, Strongly Recommend”
HBH went above and beyond to help out following a crisis. Over the course of a 3 year case, I was always kept in the loop by their amazing team. Their preparation and execution was flawless and made the whole process run smoothly. Cannot speak highly enough of their team and how they care for their clients. Will never recommend another personal injury firm besides HBH.
Since 1997, the "Lead Counsel Verified" status has been granted to attorneys who possess:
- The Right Professional Experience
- A Spotless Record
Law.com: Top 100 Verdicts 2024
Howry, Breen & Herman is proud to have been named a Tier 1, 2 and 3 Austin “Best Law Firm” in 9 practice areas by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® (“U.S. News” and BL Rankings, LLC). Law firms are selected for inclusion in this prestigious ranking based on a series of quantitative and qualitative criteria. Our specialty and tiers are listed here: https://bestlawfirms.usnews.com/profile/howry-breen-herman-llp/overview/36628
The Austin Bar Association was founded in 1893 as a nonprofit professional organization for attorneys. Its mission is to enhance the legal profession, administration of justice, and the community through education, networking, and public service.
Abota Foundation Patriot
Howry Breen & Herman, LLP was selected the Top Personal Injury Law Firm in Austin by Texas Lawyer, “Best of 2020”. The annual special supplement contains the results of Texas Lawyer readers’ poll, wherein readers cast their votes for the best providers of services and goods to the legal profession.
Attorney Sean Breen and Attorney Chris Lavorato placed in California’s Top 100 Settlements for 2019, as tracked by The Recorder and VerdictSearch.
Our law firm is proud to have been recognized in the Texas Verdicts Hall of Fame. Texas Lawyer in conjunction with VerdictSearch, recognize attorneys and law firms for their verdicts of $10 million or more. In 2011 Sean Breen was a Hall of Fame Award Recipient for the #1 Premises Liability Top Texas Verdict, awarded by Texas Lawyer, for the jury verdict award in the case VanDusen v. Aspen Square Management. In 2016 Sean Breen was inducted into the Texas Verdicts Hall of Fame, awarded by Texas Lawyer, for an outstanding verdict in Nester v. Textron.
Selection to America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys® is by invitation only and is reserved to identity the nation’s most exceptional litigators for high-value personal injury, catastrophic injury, wrongful death, product liability, and medical malpractice matters. HBH is proud that Sean Breen has been selected for this award. Less than one-half percent (0.5%) of active attorneys in the United States will receive this honor — truly the most exclusive and elite level of attorneys in the community. (2017-2022)
Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year | Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs (by BL Rankings, LLC d/b/a Best Lawyers and Co., LLC)
Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year | Litigation - Trusts & Estates (by BL Rankings, LLC d/b/a Best Lawyers and Co., LLC)
Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year | Personal Injury - Plaintiffs (by BL Rankings, LLC d/b/a Best Lawyers and Co., LLC)
Lifetime Achievement selection to America’s Top 100 Attorneys® is by invitation only and is reserved to identify the nation’s most exceptional attorneys whose accomplishments and impact on the legal profession merit a Lifetime Achievement award. Selection is not achieved based on a single accomplishment or a single great year of success, but rather on a lifetime of hard work, ethical standards, and community enriching accomplishments that are inspiring among the legal profession. Both Sean Breen (since 2017) and Randy Howry (since 2018) are honored to receive this award.
America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators® is reserved to identify the nation’s most exceptional trial attorneys in high value, high stakes legal matters. To be considered for selection, an attorney must have litigated (for either plaintiff or defendant) a matter (1) with at least $2,000,000 in alleged damages at stake or (2) with the fate of a business worth at least $2,000,000 at stake. These minimum qualifications are required for initial consideration. Thereafter, candidates are carefully screened through comprehensive Qualitative Comparative Analysis based on a broad array of criteria, including the candidate’s professional experience, litigation experience, significant case results, representative high stakes matters, peer reputation, and community impact in order to rank the candidates throughout the state. HBH is privileged to honor Partners Sean Breen (2017- 2022) and Randy Howry 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021 for selection of this award.
Expertise - Howry Breen & Herman was recognized and featured in an article by expertisecommunity.com as one of the Best Real Estate Lawyers in Austin. 2020
America’s Premier High-Stakes Trial Lawyers®” – 7 Figure Litigators®, 8 Figure Litigators®, is meant to recognize the nation’s most respected and preeminent high-stakes trial lawyers based on their verifiable verdicts and/or settlements. It is a tremendous honor for Sean Breen (member since 2019) and Randy Howry (member since 2020) to be recognized among this elite group.
America’s Premier High-Stakes Trial Lawyers®” – 7 Figure Litigators®, 8 Figure Litigators®, is meant to recognize the nation’s most respected and preeminent high-stakes trial lawyers based on their verifiable verdicts and/or settlements. It is a tremendous honor for Sean Breen (member since 2019) and Randy Howry (member since 2020) to be recognized among this elite group.
The National Trial Lawyers – Top 100, a highly respected legal organization that limits its members to premier trial attorneys who demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature and public profile measured by strict qualification requirements. Sean Breen Top 100 Civil Plaintiff, since 2009.
Top 10 Business Tort Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers. Randy Howry 2012-2013; Sean Breen since 2016.
The Best Lawyers in America® recognizes the top 5% of the most skilled attorneys in the nation. The robust selection process requires attorneys to nominate and review fellow lawyers based on their ethics, skill, knowledge, and ability to obtain results for their clients. The Best Lawyers in America® list is a way for plaintiffs to identify the leading attorneys in their region, known for their ability to get results with honesty, strength, and skill. Tim Herman, Sean Breen & Randy Howry have been featured by The Best Lawyers in America® (consecutively from 2006-2023) running alongside some of the most qualified firms in the nation. More info here.
Top Attorneys As Published In Texas Monthly
Sean Breen has been recognized for obtaining the Number 1 Verdict in Texas for electrical injury and utility negligence. This win underscores his relentless commitment to achieving justice for his clients and showcases the firms dedication to exceptional advocacy.
Sean Breen was honored by TopVerdict.com for recovering one of the Top 50 Verdicts in Texas in 2017. This is an honorable distinction, reserved for those attorneys that achieve the highest settlements and verdicts in the state.
Sean Breen was honored by TopVerdict.com for recovering one of the Top 50 Verdicts in Texas in 2016. This is an honorable distinction, reserved for those attorneys that achieve the highest settlements and verdicts in the state.
Sean Breen has been a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2011, a renowned legal organization whose membership is restricted to trial attorneys who have achieved seven-figured settlements and/or jury verdicts.
Martindale-Hubbell® is widely regarded as one of the most renowned peer-review rating organizations in the legal field. Randy Howry (2018), Sean Breen (2001), Tim Herman (1998), and Glen Wilkerson (2014) at Howry, Breen & Herman have achieved the organization’s highest distinction of AV Preeminent®.
Each year, Super Lawyers® magazine publishes its list of peer-nominated/evaluated and independently reviewed attorneys. We are proud to have attorneys who have been selected for inclusion in the prestigious Texas Super Lawyers® List, by Thomas Reuters since 2003, running through 2020.
Membership in Top American Lawyers is limited to only 1% of all attorneys in the United States. Randy Howry is proud to be honored with a Lifetime Charter Membership in this exclusive organization (2017).
Randy Howry was honored by Austin Monthly’s Top Attorneys in 2023.
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