September 19, 2001 - Lawsuits from WTC attacks likely to be in the billions

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Thousands of lawsuits for billions of dollars beyond the cost of any lost property or buildings loom in the aftermath of the World Trade Center disaster. Plaintiffs' lawyers already have been contacted by families of victims, but so far have not brought any action to court.

Attorneys are adhering to a moratorium requested by the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the American Bar Association following last week's disastrous terror attack.

The amount of litigation may be enormous, "thousands and thousands of lawsuits involving billions and billions," of dollars said a local New York attorney. It may be years before these cases are tried. The New York attorney knows. He is the lead plaintiff attorney in a lawsuit brought by more than 400 individuals against the Port Authority for the 1993 WTC bombing. Eight years later that case is still pending in Manhattan Supreme Court.

With last week's attack, the Port Authority is likely to be in for more litigation, along with the trade center's new landlord, Silverstein Properties. But the list of defendants won't stop with them. "I can see some lawyers at some point suing Afghanistan, [terror mastermind Osama] Bin Laden, if as it turns out he's the bad guy, Iraq if they're the bad guy," said a Chicago-based attorney who has represented plaintiffs in several big airline accident cases.

Years ago, Congress made it easier to sue foreign governments for acts of terrorism. Insurance companies, who already are estimating claims of $30 billion or more, could also be sued if they turn down claims under an act of war clause. American and United airlines, whose planes hit the WTC, are the most visible targets. Reportedly, they've approached Congress about limiting their liability. "We believe that any change in law needs to be steadily measured," said another big plaintiff lawyer from Chicago.

He also foresees "creative" lawyers trying to go after the federal government for delegating airport security to the airlines. But district court judges, not juries who might be more readily swayed, hear those cases.

In all airplane accident cases it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, investigate the accident in question, and to enable physicians or other expert witnesses to thoroughly evaluate any injuries. If you or a loved one is a victim of an airplane accident, call Doehling Law now at (866) 941-9370 or CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A SIMPLE CASE FORM. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds. Don't delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.

The Gary Doehling Personal Injury Law Firm, P.C. handles the following types of cases: Automobile Accidents, Oil Field Accidents, Spinal Cord Injuries, Wrongful Death, Nursing Home Negligence, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Lead Paint Exposure, Toxic Molds, Medical Malpractice, Insurance Bad Faith Claims, Airplane Accidents, Dog Bites, Drunk Drivers, Large Truck Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, School Bus Accidents, and Slip & Fall Accidents.