First Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Crash Victim's Family

By Mark Scott

Buffalo, NY – The first lawsuit on behalf of a victim of the Flight 3407 crash two weeks ago has been filed in US District Court in Buffalo.

The Los Angeles law firm of Baum, Hedlund, Aristei and Goldman is representing Susan Wehle of Amherst, who was one of the 50 people killed in the crash. The firm specializes in airline disasters. Attorney Ronald Goldman alleges in his complaint that the Bombardier Dash Q-400 aircraft which crashed was not properly equipped to remove an ice build up.

A spokesman for Colgan Air, which operated the Continental Connection flight, declined comment because of the pending litigation. But Colgan's website says its crew training meets or exceeds the regulatory requirements for all major airlines. According to the website, Colgan's training programs specifically and thoroughly address emergency situations such as icing, stalls and other in-flight scenarios, preparing them to handle all emergency situations they might face.

The National Transportation Safety Board says it could take up to a year before an official cause of the crash is determined. But other suits are likely to follow. Should that happen, Goldman explains that it is likely there would be some coordination.

But the damages, Goldman said, would be considered on an individual basis. He said the lawsuit is being filed on behalf of Wehle's two sons, Jonah and Jacob Mink. He says the family contacted his firm for representation. By law, attorneys must wait 45 days before they can contact victims' families.