Schnader’s aviation team has litigated almost every claim imaginable on behalf of the world’s largest commercial airlines, specialized operators, private pilots, ground handlers, aircraft manufacturers, and component manufacturers. We understand the industry. We understand aviation law. We understand aviation insurance. We know the aviation plaintiff bar’s playbook. We know how to defend your aviation claim efficiently and effectively.
Representative Matters:
- Schnader defended one of the nation’s largest commercial airlines in connection with a fan blade-out event. A fan blade failure during flight caused portions of a 737’s engine, inlet and cowling to separate, strike, and dislodge a passenger window. The cabin rapidly depressurized and the pilots conducted an emergency descent and diversion. Schnader helped resolve the multitude of resulting passenger claims, including a wrongful death claim.
- Schnader defended a commercial airline from multiple claims arising from the aborted takeoff of an A320. During the incident, the front landing gear collapsed, and the aircraft traveled along the runway and then into the adjacent grass on its nose. The passengers evacuated by emergency slide.
- Schnader obtained a defense verdict at trial for a commercial airline in an injury case governed by the Montreal Convention in which a passenger claimed that she suffered a life-threatening allergic reaction after eating a meal that the airline served her. A jury found that the passenger’s injuries did not result from an “accident” within the meaning of the Montreal Convention.
- Schnader defended one of the world’s leading ground handlers in a suit arising from an accident during cargo loading. A worker punctured a fiber drum containing a powder chemical while attempting to load a pallet onto an aircraft, causing the chemical to spill into the cargo hold and onto the ramp.
- Schnader defended a commercial airline against a Montreal Convention claim alleging that the airline lost cremains that a passenger allegedly checked as luggage.
- Schnader defended a commercial airline against a claim alleging that the airline ruined a shipment of pharmaceuticals by exposing it to excessive heat.
- Schnader defended an air ambulance operator from wrongful death and survival claims arising from the crash of an EC135.
- Schnader brought a multi-million-dollar breach of contract claim on behalf of an airline when the customer that hired the airline to transport cargo failed to pay amounts due under the contract.
- Schnader has defended commercial airlines in a variety of lawsuits by passengers who claim that they suffered injury during severe turbulence or when struck by beverage carts, luggage, and storage bins.
- Schnader has defended commercial airlines against claims by passengers removed from flights due to unruly behavior.
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For further information concerning Schnader’s Aviation Group, please contact our Practice Chair, Steve Shapiro: sshapiro@schnader.com.
Our Attorneys
Related Practices
News & Publications
- 2022 Harrison Awards for Pro Bono and Community Service
- Aviation Happenings: Winter 2022
- Aviation Happenings: Fall 2022
- Schnader Attorneys Named to The Best Lawyers in America
- Aviation Happenings: Summer 2022
- Chambers USA Ranks Schnader’s Aviation Group Nationally
- Chambers USA Ranks Schnader as a Top Firm
- Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Named
- Statute of Limitations in Legal Malpractice Claims – Continuous Relationship versus Continuous Representation
- Aviation Happenings: Spring 2022
- Third Circuit Confirms That A Post-Verdict Rule 50(B) Motion Must Be Based On Grounds Specifically Advanced In A Pre-Verdict Rule 50(A) Motion
- Aviation Happenings: Winter 2021
- Schnader a Tier One Firm in “Best Law Firms” Rankings
- PA Supreme Court Holds Online Defamation Cases Can Be Brought Almost Anywhere In Pennsylvania
- Karen Baillie, Jonathan Skowron and Keith Whitson Certified as “Ally-Ready” by Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition
- Benchmark Litigation Recommends Schnader
- Aviation Happenings: Fall 2021
- Important Updates by Delaware Chancery Court to Its Practice Guidelines
- Schnader Attorneys Named to The Best Lawyers in America
- New Local Rule Allows Disclosure of Litigation Funding in NJ’s Federal Courts
- Supreme Court Protects First Amendment Rights for Students’ Off-Campus Speech
- Keith Whitson Interviewed on KDKA-TV about Allegheny County Bar Foundation
- Aviation Happenings: Summer 2021
- Keith Whitson to be Named President of the Allegheny County Bar Foundation
- The Propriety of Out-of-State Service of Certified Mail Without Restricted Delivery in Pa.
- Schnader Attorneys Named to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers List
- DRI’s Aviation Wingtips Podcast Interview with NTSB’s Ted Dunlap
- Allegheny County Bar Foundation’s Endowment Campaign – Join the path of a leader
- Schnader Recognized as a Top Firm by Chambers USA
- Jonathan Skowron Publishes Article in 2020 Professional Liability Defense Survey of Law
- Easing the Pain of Worker Layoffs: Individual Stipends and Other Emergency Benefits Under the Most Recent Federal Stimulus Package For Covid-19
- Richard Barkasy Re-elected to Schnader’s Executive Committee
- Corporate Defendants Take Note of Ford: The Supreme Court Revisits Specific Personal Jurisdiction and Adds a Gloss on the “Arises out of or Relates to” Aspect of the Analysis
- Aviation Happenings: Spring 2021
- New Bankruptcy Code Section Will Help Landlords and Suppliers and Their Tenants and Customers Affected by Covid-19
- Pa. High Court Rejects ‘Continuous Representation Rule’ for Legal Malpractice Actions
- Schnader Attorney Named in Who’s Who Legal: Transport 2021
- Aviation Happenings: Winter 2020
- Schnader a Tier One Firm in 2021 “Best Law Firms” Rankings
- Aviation Happenings: Fall 2020
- Schnader Files Class Action Lawsuit to Address Systemic Mental Health Care Failures at Allegheny County Jail
- Law That Saves Lives
- Jurisdictional Issues that Can Cost Your Businesses: What In-house Counsel Need to Know
- Third Circuit Expands First Amendment Speech Protection for Students’ Off-Campus Speech
- Aviation Happenings: Summer 2020
- PA Super Lawyers Named
- DOJ and FTC Allow Collaborative Action Between Competitors In the Age of COVID-19
- Aviation Happenings: Spring 2020
- Steve Shapiro Selected As Leading Aviation Lawyer in North America by Who’s Who Legal: Transport 2020
- Jonathan Skowron Named Publications Chair of DRI’s Pretrial Practice and Procedure Specialized Litigation Group
- Sea Change in Class Action Settlement Process: A Year Under Revised Rule 23(e)
- U.S. Supreme Court Affirms Third Circuit’s En Banc Ruling Regarding FDCPA’s Statute of Limitations
- Aviation Happenings – Winter 2019
- Schnader’s Aviation Group Recognized in Who’s Who Legal: Transport 2020
- Aviation Happenings – Fall 2019
- NY Super Lawyers Named
- Schnader Attorneys Named to The Best Lawyers in America 2020
- Aviation Happenings – Summer 2019
- Schnader Leads the Implementation of Model Career Advocate Programs for the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition
- Schnader Recognized as a Top Firm by Chambers USA
- Aviation Happenings – Spring 2019
- Third Circuit: A business whose reason for existence is obtaining payment on debts is a debt collector under the FDCPA
- Bruce Merenstein Selected as Fellow of American Academy of Appellate Lawyers
- Creditors’ Rights and Business Restructuring Group Wins Two International Awards
- Aviation Happenings – Winter 2018
- 2018 Harrison Awards for Pro Bono and Community Service
- Dissent In Sikkelee Ruling Offers Preemption Road Map
- Opposing Counsel CC’d Her Client; May I “Reply All”?
- U.S. Supreme Court Signals Less Scrutiny for Businesses in Two-sided Markets
- Benchmark Litigation Recommends Schnader
- Aviation Happenings- Fall 2018
- Aviation Happenings- Summer 2018
- Schnader Attorneys Named to NY Super Lawyers
- Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Establishes New Requirement for Preservation of Certain Jury-Instruction Errors in Civil Cases
- Call Me by Your Name – Or Risk an FDCPA Claim, Says Third Circuit
- Schnader Attorneys Named to The Best Lawyers in America 2019
- Third Circuit: The CFPB may use a CID to obtain information about all aspects of a company’s business.
- The Third Circuit Holds that Highway Tolls are Not “Debts” Under the FDCPA
- The Third Circuit Holds that the FDCPA Applies to Debt Collectors that Are Collecting Debts They Own
- Third Circuit Sets Precedent on FDCPA Statute of Limitations
- 2nd Cir: Debtor’s Failure to Contest Debt Does Not Insulate Debt Collector from Liability under FDCPA
- Richard Barkasy Published “Supreme Court Says Creditors Must ‘Get It in Writing’”
- Jonathan Skowron Published “Viewpoint” Case Analysis in Pittsburgh Business Times
- All companies registered to do business in Pennsylvania are subject to the courts’ general jurisdiction
- Bruce Merenstein Quoted in “Quiet Time? Oral Arguments Disappear in Federal Appeals Courts” in National Law Journal
- 3rd Circuit Holds that Discovery Rule Does Not Apply to FDCPA’s One-Year Statute of Limitations, But Doctrine of Equitable Tolling Might Apply
- Carl Schaerf and Tracy Weinstein Publish “New Strategies for Winning Dismissal of a Failure to Warn Claim”
- Jonathan Skowron and Stephanie Short Featured in Article in Lawyers Journal about CLE Program
- Aviation Happenings- Spring 2018
- Lisa Rodriguez Named to Super Lawyers 2018
- Aviation Happenings- Spring 2018
- Garza v. Citigroup – The Third Circuit Clarifies When a Defendant May Be Awarded Attorneys’ Fees as Costs Under Rule 41(D)
- Schnader Harrison Helps Train Youth Court Judges
- Carl Schaerf Analyze Challenges for the Government Contractor’s Defense under the New Presidential Administration
- Schnader Welcomes Five Associates to its New York, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Offices
- Aviation Happenings- Winter 2017
- Julie Randolph Publishes “A Primer on Private Entities’ Rights to Outer Space Resources”
- Benchmark Litigation Recommends Schnader
- Aviation Happenings- Fall 2017
- Schnader Attorneys Named to Super Lawyers 2017
- SCOTUS Clarifies Who is a Debt Collector Under FDCPA
- Aviation Happenings- Summer 2017
- Schnader Recognized as a Top Firm by Chambers USA – Ten Schnader Partners Also Recognized
- Products Liability in a Post-Tincher World: Appellate Court Upholds $55M Verdict Against American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
- Schnader Welcomes New Associates
- Aviation Happenings- Spring 2017
- Aviation Happenings- Winter 2016-2017
- Aviation Happenings- Winter 2016-2017
- Benchmark Litigation Recommends Schnader
- Many Schnader Attorneys Named to Super Lawyers 2016
- Aviation Happenings- Fall 2016
- Schnader’s Aviation Group, Litigation Department Recognized by Corporate America
- Settling Defendants Beware: Eleventh Circuit Holds Settling Insurer Liable for Failure to Protect Medicare Payments Made by Private Insurer
- FAA Releases Commercial Drone Regulations
- Aviation Happenings- Summer 2016
- Schnader Recognized as a Top Firm by Chambers USA – Eight Schnader Partners Also Recognized
- Aviation Happenings- Spring 2016
- District Court Holds Contractor Not Liable for Army Helicopter Pilot’s Paralysis and Confirms Continuing Viability of Government Contractor Defense
- Keeping an Eye on “Pervasive Regulation” in Aviation and its Effect on Implied Federal Preemption
- Greasing the Wheels of Safety: NTSB Updates Regulations Governing Reports and Proceedings
- Schnader Recognized as a Top Firm by Chambers USA – Seven Schnader Partners Also Recognized
- Schnader Litigation Practices and Attorneys Recognized in the 2016 Benchmark Litigation Guide
- Schnader Welcomes New Associates
- FAA Weighs in on Preemption in Product Liability Litigation
- The FAA’s Drone Dilemma: The Need for Regulation vs. Liberal Licensing
- Pennsylvania Permits Insureds Being Defended under a Reservation of Rights to Settle Without Their Insurer’s Consent
- Schnader Recognized as a Top Firm by Chambers USA – Seven Schnader Partners Also Recognized
- Aviation Happenings- Spring 2015
- Al Dandridge Receives Veterans of Influence Awards
- Drone Propellers Aren’t the Only Things Buzzing as the FAA Releases Proposed Regulations for the Commercial Operation of Unmanned Aerial Systems
- Swooping in to Save the Day
- NTSB Overturns Administrative Law Judge Decision and Holds That Federal Aviation Regulation 91.13 (Careless or Reckless Operation) Applies to Unmanned Aircraft Systems
- The New Product Liability Paradigm in Pennsylvania
- Schnader Welcomes Two New Associates
- Schnader Litigation Practices and Attorneys Recognized in the 2015 Benchmark Litigation Guide
- Recent NJ Appellate Court Decision Indicative of Continuing Uncertainty Regarding Personal Jurisdiction Over Foreign Manufacturers Using U.S. Distributors
- Super Lawyers Recognizes Many Schnader Attorneys in 2014
- Pennsylvania Superior Court Reverses Forum Non Conveniens Dismissal of International Air Crash Case, But Don’t Equate Pennsylvania with Cook County, Illinois (Just Yet)
- Schnader Recognized as a Top Firm by Chambers USA – Seven Schnader Partners Also Recognized
- “You Like ‘To-May-Toe,’ I Like ‘To-Mah-Toe'” – Distinctions Without a Material Difference: Supreme Court Reverses Lower Court Rejection of ATSA Immunity
- Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses … But Not Your Plaintiffs: Supreme Court Decision Limits General Personal Jurisdiction Over Foreign Defendants
- Aviation Happenings – Winter 2014
- Schnader Defends Airline from Mistaken-Meal Suit
- Schnader Ranked as “Highly Recommended” in the 2014 Benchmark Litigation Guide
- Super Lawyers Recognizes Many Schnader Attorneys in 2013
- Third Circuit Holds Motion for Reconsideration Does Not Avoid Prohibition of Appellate Remand Orders
- Schnader Attorneys Recognized as Members of the 2012 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll
- Supreme Court of Florida Holds That Economic Loss Doctrine Applies Only to Product Liability Cases
- Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP on Shortlist for Northeast Appellate Firm of the Year and Pennsylvania Firm of the Year
- Schnader’s Cherry Hill Office Collects Nearly a Half a Ton of Winter Clothes on Behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Keith Whitson Quoted in Charitable Work Refugee Article
- Schnader Ranked as “Highly Recommended” in the 2013 Benchmark Litigation and Appellate Guides
- Super Lawyers Recognizes Many Schnader Attorneys in 2012
- Political Question Doctrine Requires Dismissal of Wrongful Death Suit Against Government Contractor in Iraq
- Schnader Honors Keith Whitson with Earl G. Harrison Pro Bono Award
- Insurance Coverage and Claims Handling: A Patchwork of Laws Applies to National Endeavors
- “Helicopter Emergency Medical Services: Recent Regulatory/Legislative Developments”
- Schnader Recognized as a Top Firm by Chambers USA – Eight Schnader Partners Also Recognized
- Ralph Wellington Elected to the Board of Directors for the International Academy of Trial Lawyers
- Changes to Federal Court Practice Affect Jurisdiction, Removal, and Venue
- “Effective Use of ODAR, DER and DMIR Status to Support Federal Officer Removal”
- Ralph Wellington Named One of the Region’s Top Attorneys
- Florida Supreme Court Deepens Split of Authority on Meaning of Federal Limitation of Liability for Aircraft Owners and Lessors
- Cloudy Skies Ahead: A Divided Supreme Court Provides Uncertain Course for Jurisdiction Over Out-of-State Manufacturers
- “Preemption and Removal Under the Montreal and Warsaw Conventions”
- “Legal Update: Aviation & Mass Torts Year-in-Review”
- Super Lawyers Recognizes Many Schnader Attorneys in 2011
- “Now You Tell Me: Montreal Convention Notice of Claim Defense Gains Momentum in Cargo Context”
- Schnader Representing the State of Maryland and The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania in a Suit Filed Against the Federal Government Regarding a 2008 Medevac Crash
- “Third Circuit Rules That ‘Abdullah’ Does Not Apply To Oversight Of Passenger Disembarkation”
- Jon Stern Featured in Article Detailing A Recent Third Circuit Decision on Airlines and Tort Actions
- “Finding Consistency in Apparent Inconsistencies in the Interpretation of GARA’s Rolling Provision”
- “Removal Under the Warsaw and Montreal Conventions”
- “Airline Does Not Have to Assist Deplaning Passenger on Crutches”
- GARA’s Statute of Repose: Avoiding the ‘Long Tail’ of Discovery
- Litigating the Aviation Case – From Pre-Trial to Closing Argument (3rd edition)
- “Forum Non Conveniens and the Montreal Convention”
- Blocking Access to the Information Super Highway – Regulating the Internet Out of the Reach of Low-Income Americans, Rutgers Law Journal
- “A Comprehensive Look at Jurisdiction and Removal”
- “The Multiparty, Multiforum Trial Jurisdiction Act’s Limited Treatment in the Courts”
- “Going on the Offense with the Government Contractor Defense”
- “Commercial Aircraft Transactions: Liability of Owners, Lessors and Finance Parties”
- “The Effective Use of Jury Focus Groups: A Trial Lawyer’s Perspective”
- “The State-of-the-Art Defense in Product Liability Cases: A Fifty State Survey [California Treatment]”
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