Military Aircraft Accidents 

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Irwin Mitchell Aviation Law has unrivalled expertise in military aviation accidents and has handled claims for personnel from the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.  The aviation team has acted in major military disasters involving helicopters, fast jets and large military aircraft.  Notable recent cases include the Nimrod MR2 that exploded over Afghanistan in 2006 and the Puma HC Mk1 that crashed into the ground near Catterick Garrison in 2007.

Military Specialists

The nature of military aircraft operations means that the risks are higher than for civilian aviation.  The exceptional military flying training ensures that the risks are minimised, but when something goes wrong the consequences can be rapid and catastrophic.  Whether an aircraft is lost during conflict or training, the results are often devastating and the military personnel and families need (and deserve) assistance and advice from lawyers who understand the military community and aircraft operations from direct experience. The Irwin Mitchell Aviation law military specialists are Andrew Buckham, a former Army Officer, and Jim Morris, a former RAF pilot, so they have the direct military experience to provide this specialist advice.

Our in-house military expertise is used to analyse all circumstances and military issues surrounding the accident to determine the chain of events that led to the crash.  This expert knowledge is then used to advise victims and families in relation to their rights against the military via the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and/or a civil claim. 

A civil claim can be very complicated so we will consider all options to achieve the best solution for families and victims.  In addition to potential action against the Ministry of Defence (MoD), we will consider the options of pursuing civilian contractors or corporations that have contributed to an accident. 

For example, if a faulty component contributed to the crash, the manufacturer of the component could be pursued.  If the component was manufactured by a US corporation, this may be a sensible course of action as the levels of compensation in the US are often significantly higher than in the UK.  However, bringing a claim in the US can be difficult as US corporations are given a form of immunity for military products, known as the Government Contractor Defence.  There are situations where a claim can still be made despite this defence - Irwin Mitchell will advise you if this is possible in your case.

Our extensive experience in military claims means that the aviation team knows how to deal with the MoD, their claims handling insurers and solicitors and whether they have credible defences, such as combat immunity.  This combined with our overall experience in acting for the victims of aviation disasters around the world means that military families and personnel receive the highest level of service, from the immediate aftermath of the air crash to settlement or conclusion of the trial.

Since we started our aviation practice in the 1980s, we have represented many passengers and their families following aviation accidents around the world.

For all of our clients, whether they have suffered serious injury or for the families of those fatally injured, we have provided expert guidance and support.

In the aftermath of an aviation accident, victims and their families often face coming to terms with life-changing events, as well as a hugely complicated technical and legal arena of air accident investigations and aviation law.

In these difficult times our clients have needed help from a specialist aviation law practice that can handle claims on their behalf against the financial might of the airlines, manufacturers and aviation insurers.

We have used our expertise and experience to help hundreds of clients obtain justice and hold those liable to account, to obtain answers on the causes of the accident and to improve flight safety.

Flight safety has been directly improved through increased public awareness and pressure on the airlines and manufacturers. These companies have also been encouraged to improve their practices and procedures as a result of the significant compensation awards that we have achieved for our clients.

Money can never fully compensate victims of air accidents for what they have been through. But financial settlements won for our clients over the last four decades have assisted the victims and their families to move on and rebuild their lives. People who have been severely disabled by their injuries have been able to fund the purchase of appropriate accommodation, equipment and care to cater for their specialised needs. People who have lost a loved one who earned income for the family have been able to put their financial worries behind them and move into a more secure future.

"This is a letter to record our sincere thanks to you and your team for all the help and support you have given us. Without it I do not know how we would have been able to cope. I do not have to tell you how distressing a time it has been, but when I described you elsewhere as a rock that we have been able to lean on and sometimes very heavily, I really meant it."

Robert Dicketts (RAF Nimrod Air Accident 2006)

We have a number of internationally renowned lawyers with the expertise and experience needed to help you with your claim.

The team is headed by Clive Garner who has over 20 years experience in international personal injury, wrongful death and aviation disaster cases. Also in the team is Jim Morris, who has the dual professional qualifications of RAF pilot and Barrister.

In addition, the team comprises a number of other specialist aviation lawyers including experts in commercial airliner cases, private, business and military aircraft cases involving planes and helicopters following incidents in the UK and internationally.

Several of our specialist lawyers are bilingual and the entire team are supported by unrivalled resources which include translators, lawyers qualified in foreign jurisdictions, in-house medical practitioners, rehabilitation specialists, litigation assistants and other support staff.

Choose from the list below to learn more about our aviation lawyers.

Name Location Job Title Telephone
Keith Barrett London Partner +44 (0)870 1500 100
José Maria De Lorenzo Madrid, Malaga Partner +34 952 209 862
Clive Garner Birmingham, London Partner +44 (0)870 1500 100
Jim Morris London Partner +44 (0)870 1500 100
Andrew Buckham Sheffield Associate +44 (0)870 1500 100
Ana Romero Malaga Associate +34 952 209 860
Laura Calder Birmingham Solicitor +44 (0)870 1500 100
Rachel Codd London Other Legal Expert +44 (0)870 1500 100

When you contact us we will give you free initial advice about making an aviation claim. After discussing your case with you, we will let you know whether we feel you have a claim and talk you through the next steps.

Our aviation team has the experience and expertise needed to fully investigate your case and help you achieve a full and fair compensation settlement.

We will keep you fully up-to-date with the progress of your claim and explain what is happening in easy-to-understand terms.

You can rest assured that we will fight fearlessly to protect your best interests.

Awards, Accreditations and Certifications

Investors In People     Action Against Medical Accidents - Clinical Negligence SpecialistsYorkshire Lawyer Awards Winner 2009Stonewall 2012Stonewall Star Performer 2012   Rehabilitation First Awards 2011 The Law Society Personal Injury Accreditation The Law Society Clinical Negligence Accreditation ISO SGS 27001 AccreditationISO 9001:2008 AccreditationChild Brain Injury TrustA conformance icon, W3C-WAI Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0

Headway 2011