Witham v. Avjet

CASE SYNOPSIS

Burbank, CA based aviation company Avjet Corp. settled a wrongful death lawsuit out of court with the families of three people who lost their lives during a March 29, 2001 plane crash in Aspen, CO.  One of the victims, 22-year-old Marissa Witham, was represented by Brian Panish and Kevin Boyle of Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, who was retained by the girl’s family to seek monetary damages on her behalf.  Witham and 14 other passengers were on their way to a birthday celebration at the time of the crash.

There was a reckless disregard for the safety of passengers.

– Brian Panish
Panish Shea & Boyle LLP

The $11.7 million settlement was one of many settled with the families of the plane crash victims, which included the pilot, co-pilot, and on-board flight attendant.  The Gulfstream III jet was traveling from Los Angeles to Aspen when it crashed into a hillside while on approach to the airport.  According to Avjet’s attorney, the flight crew "made some mistakes."

Witham’s family settled with Avjet Corp. and the estate of the plane’s pilot for a sum of $9.5 million, while the other two victims involved in the suit, brothers, settled for $2.2 million, which was collected by the pair’s grandparents.  The last minute settlement was arrived at after a jury had already decided upon awarding the two families $10.2 million in compensatory damages, and before the jury had even decided upon any punitive damages.