1. Aviation Litigation in Ireland: How It Works

2. USD Victims are “worth” different amounts in different countries.
Aviation Litigation in Ireland: How It Works
Victims are “worth” different amounts in different countries.
Plane crash survivors most commonly suffer burn injuries. In addition to economic losses, victims are compensated for the pain and suffering which they have experienced.
(also called general damages, moral damages, non-economic damages, non-pecuniary damages)
The figures below are “average” general damages figures for a
35 year woman suffering serious disfiguring burns to her face
USD
England $150,000 – $200,000
N. Ireland $200,000 – $300,000
Rep. Ireland $300,000 – $450,000
France $300,000 – $400,000
South Africa $20,000 – $40,000
Malaysia $5,000 – $7,500
USA $30,000,000 - $60,000,000

3. OPERATOR: MANX2 FLIGHT 7100 LOCATION: CORK, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Aviation Litigation in Ireland: How It Works
OPERATOR: MANX2 FLIGHT 7100
LOCATION: CORK,
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
DATE: 10 FEBRUARY 2011
FATALITIES: 6
SURVIVORS: 6

4. LOCATION: MOURNE MOUNTAINS, NORTHERN IRELAND DATE: 23 OCTOBER 2010
Aviation Litigation in Ireland: How It Works
OPERATOR: PRIVATE
LOCATION: MOURNE MOUNTAINS, NORTHERN IRELAND
DATE: 23 OCTOBER 2010
FATALITIES: 3
SURVIVORS: 0

5. OPERATOR: AIR FRANCE FLIGHT 447 LOCATION: ATLANTIC OCEAN
Aviation Litigation in Ireland: How It Works
OPERATOR: AIR FRANCE FLIGHT 447
LOCATION: ATLANTIC OCEAN
(IRISH Passengers)
DATE: 1 JUNE 2009
FATALITIES: 228
SURVIVORS: 0

6. OPERATOR: IRISH HELICOPTERS LOCATION: BALLYNACALLY, COUNTY CLARE,
Aviation Litigation in Ireland: How It Works
OPERATOR: IRISH HELICOPTERS
LOCATION: BALLYNACALLY, COUNTY CLARE,
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
DATE: 12 JULY 2007
FATALITIES: 2
SURVIVORS: 0

7. Definition of a Mass Fatality
Aviation Litigation in Ireland: How It Works
Definition of a Mass Fatality
“A mass fatality incident is defined as any incident where the number of associated fatalities is greater than normal local arrangements in Northern Ireland can manage”.
The decision to declare a mass fatality incident lies jointly with the Coroner and the Strategic Commander, PSNI.
Coroner in consultation with PSNI and the State Pathologist will activate the Mass Fatalities Plan.
Mass Fatalities Plan – provides a generic plan for dealing with multiple fatalities resulting from a major incident / emergency and provides a strategic overview of the mass fatality process.
Convene Mass Fatality Coordination Team.
This team will include:
Coroner
State Pathologist
Senior PSNI representative.

8. Role of the Coroner Invokes the Mass Fatality Plan.
Aviation Litigation in Ireland: How It Works
Role of the Coroner
Invokes the Mass Fatality Plan.
Assigns responsibilities to police acting as Coroners Agents.
Visits the incident site with the State Pathologist.
Authorises the removal of bodies from the incident scene to the mortuary.
Authorises the post mortem.
Authorises the retention of material.
Determines the identification criteria, in consultation with the State Pathologist and the Senior Identification Manager.
Liaises with the Family Liaison Co-ordinator to discuss meeting with families to explain procedures.
Issues burial or cremation certificates and authorises release of bodies and any retained material.
Is supported by one or more of the Coroners Liaison Officers (CLOs).
Chairs the Identification Commission.

9. Three Levels of Response
Aviation Litigation in Ireland: How It Works
Three Levels of Response
Level 1- the existing mortuary facilities (56)
Level 2 – existing facilities augmented by the deployment of additional body storage (260) and
Level 3 – National Emergency Mortuary Arrangements (NEMA) (600+)
Disaster Victim Identification involves-
Recovery of body or human remains;
ID of deceased and human remains in dignified manner, taking account of the investigation process, needs of community;
Reconciliation of data both in life and death information (ante mortem & post mortem) to support the identification;
Repatriation of the deceased to their families.
Role of Identification Commission
Establishes identity of all recovered bodies and any human remains and members include (Coroner – Chair) State Pathologist, PSNI Senior ID Manager (SIM).

10. Early, timely & consistent communication important.
Aviation Litigation in Ireland: How It Works
Present Position
Planning for a mass fatality incident in Northern Ireland is progressing well.
Recognition that plans need to be flexible to deal with predictable and unpredictable situations.
Early, timely & consistent communication important.
CT Scanner used in recent incidents.
Summary
The provision of honest and, as far as possible, accurate information at all times, at every stage.
Respect for the deceased and the bereaved.
A sympathetic and caring approach throughout.
The avoidance of mistaken identity.

11. LOCATION: Gillingham Hall, Norfolk ENGLAND DATE: 13 March 2014
Aviation Litigation in Ireland: How It Works
OPERATOR: HAUGHEY AIR
LOCATION: Gillingham Hall, Norfolk
ENGLAND
DATE: 13 March 2014
FATALITIES: 4
SURVIVORS: 0

12. OPERATOR: IRISH COAST GUARD RESCUE 116
Aviation Litigation in Ireland: How It Works
OPERATOR: IRISH COAST GUARD RESCUE 116
LOCATION: BLACKROCK ISLAND, COUNTY MAYO,
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
DATE: 14 MARCH 2017
FATALITIES: 4
SURVIVORS: 0

13. Aviation Litigation in Ireland: How It Works

14. Aviation Litigation in Ireland: How It Works

15. OPERATOR: AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 965 LOCATION: NEAR CALI, Colombia
Aviation Litigation in Ireland: How It Works
OPERATOR: AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 965
LOCATION: NEAR CALI,
Colombia
DATE: 20 December 1995
FATALITIES: 159
SURVIVORS: 4