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Q: What kind of liability does US Airways face?
Clearly, much less than if passengers had died.
Still, even passengers who suffered no serious physical injuries could bring claims of post-traumatic stress syndrome, said Alisa Brodkowitz, a Seattle lawyer who has filed claims against airlines in other cases.
Q: Will US Airways compensate passengers on Flight 1549?
US Airways spokesman Derek Hanna declined to say.
When passengers are denied boarding — for instance, if it's been oversold — on a U.S. flight, the airline's policy is to give them up to $800 in cash or a voucher for one free round-trip ticket within the continental United States, according to the company's Web site.
Brodkowitz said airlines often try to assuage passengers with free miles, free trips or even gift certificates to restaurants. Her advice to US Airlines passengers who are offered vouchers: Read the fine print to make sure you're not signing away your right to pursue a legal claim.
[my comments]
It is ironic that the brave pilot did not panic in a doomed airliner, remained the last person on board for others safety, and later actually took off his shirt to give to a freezing passenger now has to hide and remain silent because of what a lawyer could do with his own words to him and US Airways? Before this is over many, many lawyers will draw some very heafty fees.
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