What support is available to the families of the victims of aviation disasters?

The Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act passed by the United States federal government is designed to provide support to the families of victims of aviation disasters. This support can include counseling, memorial services and a variety of other victim support services.

What is The Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act?

According to the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act, the family of a person killed in an aviation accident within the United States is entitled to the following forms of support provided by the federal government: 

• First, a liaison is assigned to the family from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to assist the family in the timely recovery and identification of the victim by the airline that has been deemed responsible for the accident. 
• The appointed liaison will support the family in all matters of information gathering and must work to make sure that the family is able to obtain any information they may require from the airline as the investigation into the accident unfolds. 
• Under the law, any information related to the crash must be given to the families first, prior to any type of public hearing or conferences regarding the accident. 
•  The family will also receive all information regarding the time and location of any public correspondence from the responsible party or the federal government regarding the accident. 
• The ADFAA also states that the family must receive support from the NTSB representative for the victim’s memorial.

A representative from a non-profit organization, such as the Red Cross, may also assist the family with any of their medical or emotional needs. 

Aviation disasters also give rise to litigation in many cases, so you may obtain support, help and legal guidance from your attorney who represents you in a class action case or in an individual lawsuit.