Dallas Legal Issues Blog

The full scope of air travel investigations

On behalf of Cunningham Swaim, LLP on Thursday, January 31, 2019.

People board airplanes to travel long distances on a daily basis. Overall, this is a considered a safe mode of transportation. But when a report surfaces of something happening mid-flight, people tend to become concerned about safety during their next trip.

Regardless of the type or size of aircraft, investigations into plane crashes are complex matters which involve many people, processes and procedures established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). But if you’ve ever thought about what a crash investigation entails, you may be interested in knowing the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) examines far more than the mechanics of the airplane when assessing the cause of an incident and searching for ways to improve air travel safety.

Infringement of aviation intellectual property

On behalf of Cunningham Swaim, LLP on Friday, December 14, 2018.

Aviation companies work for years to create reliable and recognizable products and technologies. Infringement and counterfeit of your intellectual property can seriously damage your business and reputation while potentially endangering the lives of customers.

Unfortunately, even the most careful property management and monitoring of the industry cannot protect you against all forms of theft. Several situations can leave your property vulnerable.

2018 Cunningham Swaim Holiday Greeting

On behalf of Cunningham Swaim, LLP posted in Firm News on Friday, December 14, 2018.

Are training changes needed for pilots of the Boeing 737 MAX?

On behalf of Cunningham Swaim, LLP on Monday, November 19, 2018.

Some pilots are echoing the calls of investigators for more training on Boeing’s 737 MAX. Union representatives for U.S. pilots claim Boeing never told them of the anti-stall system on the plane, which investigators now link to the Lion Air crash off the coast of Indonesia in late October. The computer system can force the plane to dive sharply for up to ten seconds if it thinks the plane has stalled. Apparently, the Lion Air pilots did not know how to stop their descent, resulting in the fatal crash.

Safety Measures Must Be Met In Aircraft Travel, Construction

On behalf of Cunningham Swaim, LLP on Tuesday, October 23, 2018.

For the airlines industry, it remains crucial to have a properly trained workforce. Pilots, mechanics, engineers, air traffic controllers, cargo handlers, fuelers and flight attendants all need to be make safety a priority every day. The Federal Aviation Administration continues to scrutinize the industry to make sure safety standards continue to be met.

But the culture of safety must go beyond the industry and include the aircraft manufacturers as well. Besides human error and the weather, mechanical failure also ranks among the top reasons for aviation accidents. The makers of airplanes, helicopters and experimental aircraft need to make sure that their products are not defective.

Towing companies sue city of Galveston for breach of contract

On behalf of Cunningham Swaim, LLP on Friday, September 21, 2018.

Two Galveston-based vehicle towing companies filed a lawsuit alleging the city breached their contract.

Ace of Galveston and 51st Street Towing were part of a rotation system that allowed different companies to tow away vehicles. Each company received a number from the city, and when their number was at the top of the list, that company was sent to remove a vehicle. A city ordinance devised the rotation system.

Rise in technology puts trade secrets at risk

On behalf of Cunningham Swaim, LLP on Friday, August 17, 2018.

The disclosure of trade secrets present potential dangers to businesses, large and small. Not only can it paralyze a company’s competitive advantage, but it can put all intellectual property at risk.

The venue options challenge for IP litigation

On behalf of Cunningham Swaim, LLP on Tuesday, July 24, 2018.

If there is one truth about the law, it is that it is not static. Changes are happening all the time by virtue of legislative or judicial action. Several relatively recent court actions serve as strong examples in this regard.

In May 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in the case of TC Heartland LLC v. Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC, in which the justices reversed traditional practice and put restrictions on process for bringing intellectual property disputes for resolution.

3 ways to avoid an aviation insurance claim dispute

On behalf of Cunningham Swaim, LLP on Tuesday, July 24, 2018.

Insurance is an important part of life as an aircraft owner. It can also be a complicated matter as aviation insurance policies are unique and deal with larger assets and risks. However, aviation insurance is necessary to have and it can protect you from paying out of pocket for accidents or claims when you should not have to.

If you are in an accident, you may want to ensure you have done your research and properly followed the terms of your policy to avoid your claim potentially being denied when you need your insurance the most.

Do you have a wet or dry aircraft lease?

On behalf of Cunningham Swaim, LLP on Friday, June 22, 2018.

An airplane can be an expensive asset to own. For this reason, aircraft owners will often lease their planes out when they are not in use.

The owner of the plane can lease it under a “wet lease” or “dry lease” arrangement. Knowing the difference between these options could help you avoid financial damage and exposure to legal risks.