03.24.2020
Compensation Claims Arising from Downing of Ukrainian Airlines PS752
CFM Lawyers is a Vancouver based aviation law firm. We act for victims of aviation accidents across Canada and internationally. We have received many calls from the media, local community and passengers’ families for information regarding possible claims for compensation arising from the downing of UIA Flight PS 752.
We have prepared this summary of the avenues to compensation for family members impacted by the downing of Ukrainian Airlines Flight 752. The purpose of this summary is to provide family members with basic, accurate information regarding their legal situation. It is not intended to provide legal advice on any particular claim. Please contact us directly using the contact details below if you require legal advice regarding a possible claim.
Possible Avenues for Compensation
There are a number of possible avenues for compensation arising from the downing of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight PS 752. One avenue is a claim against the airline, UIA, in Canada under the international conventions which govern claims against airlines on international flights. Another avenue is a claim against the State of Iran. It is also possible that family members may have a claim for travel accident insurance benefits. Because insurance policies often have a short claim period, this issue is addressed first.
Travel Accident Insurance – URGENT
If your family member purchased their airline ticket on a credit card, it is possible the card included an accidental death/life insurance policy. These policies are complex and often have short periods in which to make a claim. For instance some credit card companies require notification of a claim within 90 days of the date of the accident, and some of them have even a shorter timeline for this. In order to protect any possible claim which your family may have, you should seek legal advice immediately as to the availability of insurance, and when and how a claim can be made. If you have not already retained a lawyer, we would be pleased to review this issue with you. Please contact anyone of our legal team below for assistance.
Claims Against the Carrier Are Governed by International Conventions
Claims for compensation arising from the crash of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 will likely be governed by international conventions – either the Montreal Convention or its predecessor the Warsaw Convention. Both Conventions have been enacted into law in Canada under the federal Carriage by Air Act.
The issue of which convention will apply to any particular case is somewhat complicated. Canada has adopted the Montreal Convention. Iran has not Iran is still governed by the Warsaw Convention. The question of which convention applies depends on a passenger’s flight itinerary.
For Canadians (and others) travelling on round trip tickets from Toronto to Kiev to Tehran and back to Canada, claims for compensation could be brought under the Montreal Convention in a Canadian court. In legal terms, the courts of Canada would have jurisdiction over the case because Canada would be considered the country of “destination” under the Montreal Convention (notwithstanding the connection through Kiev). The courts of Canada would also likely have jurisdiction under the Warsaw Convention for any passenger whose destination on a one way ticket was Canada.
Compensation under the Montreal Convention
The Montreal Convention establishes a two tiered system of liability. The carrier is strictly liable to pay compensation to a passengers’ family in the event of an “accident” for provable damages up to an initial threshold of 128,821 Special Drawing Rights ($232,000 CAD). This is the first tier of liability. For claims exceeding this amount, the onus is on the carrier to prove that the accident was not caused by negligence of the carrier. This is the second tier of liability. The precise amount of compensation payable will be determined by Canadian law. Canadian law requires individual assessment of compensation in fatal accident cases. The law varies somewhat from province to province but generally speaking, the law in each province provides for damages for the following elements:
- Loss of financial support that the deceased family member would have provided to their dependents over the balance of their working life
- Loss of valuable services the deceased family member would have provided to family members
- Funeral expenses
Provincial law varies significantly on compensation for bereavement. British Columbia law does not permit recovery of compensation for bereavement. Alberta law provides for bereavement damages in fixed amounts. Ontario law does not permit claims for bereavement but does provide compensation for “loss of care, guidance and companionship”.
Definition of “Accident” Under the Montreal Convention
Based on international jurisprudence, a missile strike would likely be considered an “accident” under the Montreal Convention so the carrier could be held liable to compensate the passengers families. The question of whether the carrier was negligent for taking off in the circumstances (or other reasons) would come into play for claims which exceed the strict liability monetary threshold. Any claim of negligence would be complicated and would almost certainly require a thorough investigation involving experts in aviation accident investigation, air safety, and risk assessment. It is important to note that the investigations which are underway are not intended to find legal responsibility for the crash. Under ICAO rules, the purpose of the investigation is to advance aviation safety and prevent recurrence. In order to prove negligence in a court of law, expert evidence will be required.
As an example, in the case of Malaysian Airlines 17, our firm brought a claim on behalf of the family of a Canadian passenger in the courts of Ontario on the basis that the missile strike was an “accident” and the carrier was negligent for routing the flight over an active combat zone where there was a known history of surface to air missiles being used. The case eventually settled for a confidential amount.
Claims against State of Iran
It is also possible that Canadian families may have claims against the State of Iran. There are two possible avenues for this. The first is a “state to state” claim by the Government of Canada in the International Court of Justice based on violation of international law. There is precedent for bringing a “state to state” claim for compensation for family members in similar cases. In the 1980s, Iran brought a claim for compensation in the ICJ against the United States as a result of the downing in of an Iran Air flight by the USS Vincennes. The case was resolved by way of settlement.
A second, more complex, avenue could be to proceed with a claim by family members for civil damages against the State of Iran in the courts of Canada. Past attempts to sue the state of Iran in the courts of Canada have been dismissed on the basis of state immunity. State immunity is lifted in circumstances involving acts of terrorism which may include an offence against the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Activity against Civil Aircraft. In theory, a claim could be brought under the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act. This is a highly complex legal issue which involves issues of criminal law, sovereign immunity, and other international conventions. This avenue has three main disadvantages. First, the defence of state immunity must be overcome. The courts of Canada are required to consider the defence of state immunity even if Iran does not defend case. Second, it puts family members in Iran at risk of potential reprisals for making public claims of terrorism against the Iranian state. Third, it is highly unlikely the state of Iran has any assets in Canada which could be used to satisfy any judgment. The last remaining assets in Canada appear to have been seized in 2018 pursuant to a court order in order to pay a judgment issued by an American court against the Iranian state.
Class Actions
Class actions are a means of proceeding with court claims on behalf of a group of people with common claims in one court case brought by a representative person. Subject to court approval, the representative instructs the lawyers and makes decisions on behalf of all class members. In a class action, the result in the representative case is binding on all other class members with a common claim.
We have extensive experience with class action claims but do not consider a class action to be the best option for passenger family members in the current circumstances. Our view is that the death of a family member is a serious legal matter which requires individual assessment. Family members do not have to participate in any class action. They have a right to opt out of any class action and pursue their own individual court case.
Contact CFM
| Joe Fiorante, Q.C. | David Jones |
| Direct Line: (604) 331-9521 | Direct Line: (604) 331-9528 |
| [email protected]
|
[email protected]
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| Jamie Thornback | Bahar Motamedian |
| Direct Line: (604) 331-9529 | Direct Line: (604) 331-9526 |
| [email protected] | [email protected] |
| Main Office: (604) 689-7555 |
| Email: [email protected] |
02.12.2020
Autoparts AWHS: Claims Process is Now Open
Settlements have been reached with all defendants in the Automotive Wire Harness Systems action. The Courts have approved a protocol for the distribution of the Automotive Wire Harness Systems settlement funds.
For more information about the settlements, the affected vehicles, and how you can apply to receive a payment, click below:
- AWHS Long Form – Notice of Claims Process (English)
- AWHS Long Form – Notice of Claims Process (French)
The deadline to file a claim is June 12, 2020. Visit www.autopartsettlement.ca to claim your refund.
Pending – Air Flow Meters, Electronic Control Units, Fan Motors, Fuel Senders, Power Window Motors, and Windshield Washer Systems
Settlements have been reached with all defendants in the above-noted actions. The proposed protocol for distributing the settlement funds is subject to Court approval in Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec. Persons who apply to receive settlement benefits in the Automotive Wire Harness Systems class action will automatically be considered for eligibility to participate in the proposed distribution. Eligibility will be based on the information provided in the context of the Automotive Wire Harness Systems class action.
The motions to approve the proposed Distribution Protocol will be heard in the City of Toronto on February 28, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. and in the City of Quebec on March 23, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. The British Columbia Court will hear the application for approval in writing. A copy of the Notice of Hearing can be found here:
- Auto Parts – Long Form Notice Denso, Hitachi Metals, NGK Settlements and AWHS Distribution (English)
And a copy of the proposed Distribution Protocol can be found here:
01.29.2020
Optical Disc Drive Price Fixing
The British Columbia ODD class action has been certified on behalf of a national class.
01.24.2020
Autoparts – New Settlements
Settlements have been reached with the following defendants:
– DENSO Corporation, DENSO International America, Inc., DENSO Manufacturing Canada, Inc., DENSO Sales Canada, Inc., DENSO Korea Corporation (f/k/a separately as DENSO International Korea Corporation and DENSO Korea Automotive Corporation), DENSO Products and Services Americas, Inc.(f/k/a DENSO Sales California, Inc.), DENSO Automotive Deutschland GmbH, ASMO Co., Ltd., ASMO North America, LLC, ASMO North Carolina, Inc., ASMO Greenville of North Carolina, Inc., ASMO Manufacturing, Inc., Korea Wiper Blade Co., Ltd. and Techma Corporation (“DENSO”);
– Hitachi Metals, Ltd. and Hitachi Cable America Inc. (“Hitachi Metals”); and
– NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.), Inc., NGK Spark Plugs Canada Limited, NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd. and NTK Technologies, Inc. (“NGK Spark”).
Members of the Air Conditioning Systems and Automotive Exhaust Systems settlement classes can opt-out of these proceedings by sending a signed letter to Class Counsel, with the following information:
– your full name, current address and telephone number;
– if you are writing on behalf of a company, the name of the company and your position at the company; and
– a statement saying that you (or the company) want to opt out of the class actions. You must identify which class actions you (or the company) want to opt out of.
Requests to opt out of the proceedings must be post-marked by March 24, 2020.
The Ontario Court will hold a hearing to decide whether to approve these settlements at Osgoode Hall, 130 Queen Street West, in the City of Toronto on February 28, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
The Quebec Court will hold a hearing to decide whether to approve these settlements at Quebec Courthouse, at 300 Boulevard Jean Lesage, in the City of Quebec on March 23, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.
In accordance with the Canadian Judicial Protocol for the Management of Multi-Jurisdictional Class Actions, if the Ontario Court approves the settlements, the BC settlement approval applications will be heard in writing.
Please review the Notice of Certification for Settlement Purposes and Settlement Approval Hearing by clicking on the links shown below:
- Long-Form Notice Denso, Hitachi Metals, NGK Settlements and AWHS Distribution (English)
- Long-Form Notice Denso, Hitachi Metals, NGK Settlements and AWHS Distribution (French)
- Proposed Distribution Protocol
The settlement funds (plus interest, less court-approved fees and expenses) are being held in trust for the benefit of settlement class members. At a later date, the courts will be asked to approve a method of distributing the settlement funds to settlement class members.
01.10.2020
Coast Capital Foreign Exchange
Here are the notices of certification for this class action:
10.08.2019
Lithium Ion Batteries Class Action
A settlement has been reached with Maxwell for USD $300,000.
09.23.2019
Foreign Exchange Manipulation (ForEx) Class Action
Settlement Class Members who wish to apply for compensation under the settlements must apply no later than January 15, 2020. Claims that are not made within the deadline will not be eligible for compensation.
08.06.2019
Optical Disc Drive Price Fixing
A settlement has been reached with PLDS totaling over $5 million.
06.05.2019
Auto-Parts – Settlement
Settlement
A settlement has been reached with the defendant, Nishikawa Rubber Co. (“Nishikawa”), in the amount of $5,750,000.
The Nishikawa settlement releases the claims against Nishikawa, Nishikawa of America, Inc., Nishikawa Cooper LLC, Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc., Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. and Cooper-Standard Automotive Canada Limited and is subject to court approval in Ontario. The motion to approve the settlement will be heard in the Ontario Court in the City of Toronto on July 10, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. The hearing will be broadcast live via video link in the Québec Courthouse, at 300 Boulevard Jean Lesage, in the City of Quebec. If you wish to attend the broadcasting, please email [email protected], to the attention of Karim Diallo no later than June 28, 2019.
The settlement is also subject to a further enforcement and recognition application to be held in Québec. Should the Ontario Court approve the Nishikawa settlement, a hearing will be held at the Québec Courthouse, at 300 Boulevard Jean Lesage, in the City of Quebec on September 10, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. to enforce and recognize the Ontario order. The objective of this process is to enforce, in Quebec, the potential Ontario order approving the Nishikawa settlement that will have been rendered in Ontario.
The settlement is also subject to a further recognition process in British Columbia. The potential Ontario order approving the Nishikawa settlement will be registered at the court registry in British Columbia in accordance with the Enforcement of Canadian Judgments and Decrees Act, or, failing this, an application will be brought before the British Columbia Court for an order recognizing and enforcing the order. The objective of this process is to enforce, in British Columbia, the potential Ontario order approving the Nishikawa settlement that will have been rendered in Ontario.
All Nishikawa Settlement Class members will be able to make submissions to the Ontario Court. Nishikawa Settlement Class members who are resident of Québec will further be able to make submissions to the Québec Court. Please review the Notice of Certification for Settlement Purposes and Settlement Approval Hearing listed below for more information.
The settlement funds (plus interest, less court-approved fees and expenses) are being held in trust for the benefit of settlement class members. At a later date, the Courts will be asked to approve a method of distributing the settlement funds to settlement class members.
Contested Litigation
Litigation is continuing against the remaining defendants and is being case managed together with the other auto parts class actions by Justice Belobaba in Toronto.
05.13.2019
Lithium Ion Rechargeable Batteries Settlements
Settlements have been reached with LG Chem and Toshiba totaling over $5 million.
