Nationwide, if not globally, Coddington, Hicks & Danforth is regarded as having one of the foremost aviation law practices. From routine incidents to mass air disasters; from contract and licensing disputes to aerial pesticide applications; from property damage claims to hijackings and terrorist acts; from passenger misconduct to products liability – the firm has handled the entire spectrum of cases.

Airplanes. Airships. Helicopters. Hot air balloons. Gliders. Satellites. The firm has brought its technical and legal expertise to bear in resolving disputes involving each of these aircraft. The firm regularly represents those who manufacture, design, own, operate and maintain these aircraft.

Some of the legal issues have a long history – indeed a history which the firm may have been instrumental in helping to fashion. Others issues are at the cutting edge of the law where the firm stands ready and able to assist in steering the emerging legal issues in the right direction. Recent cases have involved allegations of civil rights violations by an airline shortly after September 11, 2001 and an attempt by passengers and their heirs to state claims for damages against a major international airline alliance.

The firm has been involved in major, complex air disaster litigation, including lawsuits stemming from the crashes of Singapore Airlines Flight SQ006, a 747 which crashed in Taipei, Taiwan; Alaska Airlines Flight 261, which crashed off the California coast while en route from Puerto Vallarta to San Francisco; ValuJet Flight 592 which crashed in the Florida Everglades. Mr. Coddington, the firm’s founder, served as chief trial counsel for all of the defendants in litigation arising from the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland; the hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi, Pakistan; and the crash of an Air India 747 shortly after departure from Bombay, India. Each of these cases was tried to verdict.

These cases, and many other aviation matters which the firm has handled, presented a complex constellation of legal, technical and economic issues.

Appellate Practice

Aviation

Business Litigation
Civil Rights Defense
Fire Litigation
Government Entity

Litigation

Insurance Bad Faith

Insurance Counseling

Insurance Coverage

Products Liability