Tampa Injury Lawyer : Another reason lawyer jokes resonate...

By Nicholas Dorsten, Esq.

I often get asked how I, a Clearwater Personal Injury lawyer, handle all the "ambulance chaser" jokes. I usually respond and let them know what a Personal Injury attorney does and how he can benefit society. Well after a recent article I found in the Seattle area Komo news website, I may have to rethink my arguements...


A woman has sued American Airlines, saying she was traumatized when the plane she was on ran off the runway at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.
In the lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court, passenger Jewel Thomas said she has suffered severe mental and emotional problems because of the incident on Sept. 22, 2008. American Flight 268, a Boeing 757, was flying nonstop from Seattle to New York when it made an emergency landing at O'Hare, skidding onto the grass next to the runway.
"That day changed my whole life - it changed my whole world," Thomas said, adding: "This is one problem I can't solve."
The woman from Bellevue, Wash., said she is on unpaid disability from her job at Microsoft. Though an experienced world traveler, she said she is no longer able to fly and will sometimes "freak out" when she hears an airplane.
No physical injuries were reported among the 185 passengers or seven crew members, and the aircraft had little damage beyond its landing gear and several blown tires.
Thomas contended in her lawsuit that shortly after takeoff, the flight crew received multiple warnings about problems with the plane's electrical system. Following a reference handbook, the crew switched the plane's standby power for some systems to the main battery, although the handbook noted the battery could provide backup power for only 30 minutes.
Thomas' lawsuit alleges that the flight crew should have diverted sooner to another airport before the battery ran out and key systems were crippled. It accused American Airlines and the plane's two pilots of negligence and seeks unspecified damages.
Andrea Huguely, a spokeswoman for the Fort Worth, Texas-based airline, said that the company had not seen the complaint and had no comment.
The personal injury attorney claimed the captain was aware the main battery charger wasn't functioning and of the battery's 30-minute reserve, but the crew elected to continue the flight to New York.
Thomas' Personal Injury lawyer, said a transcript of cockpit conversations "showed a real ignorance of flight systems."
The Personal Injury attorney alleged that while the plane's crew tried to troubleshoot the problem for several hours, critical systems began to shut down. The cabin public address system failed and eventually all power to the passenger cabin went out, including the lights.
Thomas said that after the cabin lights went out, passengers were told to prepare for a rough landing at O'Hare, and that many began to pray. She said she was terrified and called her children on her cell phone, leaving messages saying she loved them.
The plane eventually diverted to Chicago, where the crew declared emergency upon landing.

It is unknown how much damages she is asking for her emotional trauma, her Personal Injury lawyer said.

I have mentioned previously on this site the benefits of and the necessity for a Personal Injury lawyer for certain traumatic events in your life but there has to be a limit. The sad fact is that sometimes bad things just happen and you can't sue over every little problem/inconvenience. In my opinion, based on the known facts of the above article, the pilots and the airline should be applauded for their quick, decisive action rather then sued. This lady should be thanking them, not suing!

You get in a Clearwater car accident that was not your fault? If you are hurt, then by all means hire a Clearwater car accident attorney. Was a loved one the victim of a horrible, yet preventable accident in Clearwater or St. Petersburg, Florida? Then it makes sense to hire a Clearwater or St. Petersburg wrongful death attorney to help you weigh your legal options.

However, if you just have a run of bad luck, DON'T SUE! Be thankful for what you still have and the support system of your friends and family. Finally, a word for some of those other Tampa or Pinellas County Personal Injury Lawyers who try and make everything a lawsuit....please try to remember that we are still a noble profession but junk lawsuits make ALL of us look bad!

For more information, or to speak directly with an experienced Personal Injury lawyer, please contact BLAKE & DORSTEN, P.A. at 727.286.6141 or email the lawyers your questions to: info@blakedorstenlaw.com. We are located at 4707 140th Ave N, Suite 104 in Clearwater, across from the criminal courthouse in the airport business center, minutes from Tampa and St. Petersburg.