Zebersky Payne Attorneys Represent Sunrise Pilot in Plane Crash and Awarded $100 Million Verdict
(PRWEB) July 25, 2013 -- After a two week trial, on June 13, 2013 a Broward County jury returned a $100 Million verdict in favor of a 31 year old pilot whose plane crashed at North Perry airport on November 10, 2007. (Case # 08-000532, In The Circuit Court Of The 17th Judicial Circuit In And For Broward County, Florida).
In this tragic accident, the then 25 year old pilot with approximately four hundred (400) hours of flying time was flying banners along the beach in a Piper Pawnee. He returned to the airport to drop off the banner at the designated northwest quadrant of the airport. There were two active north/south parallel runways: 36L and 36R.
The air traffic controller gave the pilot an instruction to proceed downwind between the two parallel runways to land on the right runway. During the attempted landing, the aircraft crashed as the pilot performed the aerial maneuvers required of the instruction.
The Plaintiff survived but with very serious traumatic brain injury and severe cognitive and neurological deficits. He is permanently disabled and needs constant assistance.
Plaintiff claimed that the instruction was a non-standard landing instruction and not authorized by the FAA which caused his plane to stall and crash.
The air traffic controller claimed that the plane crashed because the pilot did not fly it correctly and/or that it had mechanical problems.
Defendant denied Plaintiff's claims and liability was highly contested. Defendant blamed Plaintiff for stalling the aircraft and argued that if Plaintiff was not comfortable with the instruction he had the authority to decline it and ask for another instruction. Defendant also named Plaintiff's employer, but the jury did not assess any liability to the employer.
The jury found the air traffic controller 68% responsible and the pilot 32% responsible.
The pilot was represented at trial by Hyram M Montero, Esq., Montero Law and Todd S. Payne, Esq., Zebersky Payne, LLP.
Todd S. Payne is a pilot who brought additional expertise to the Plaintiff’s side.
About Zebersky Payne Attorneys:
The Florida trial lawyers at Zebersky Payne, LLP (http://www.zpllp.com) believe in providing clients with experienced, high quality legal representation in a cost-efficient manner. Founded in 1997, our Florida based law firm is composed of a close-knit team of skilled attorneys and professional staff who work together to meet your civil litigation needs. From personal injury claims to products liability class action lawsuits to insurance claims, Zebersky Payne, LLP has the knowledge, resources, and drive to effectively represent you in your legal matter.
Zebersky Payne, LLP
110 SE 6th Street, Suite 2150
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
P: 954-989-6333
F: 954-989-7781
tpayne(at)zpllp(dot)com
Susan Harmon, Zebersky Payne, LLP, +1 (954) 989-6333, [email protected]
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