Firm Overview

Over the past thirty-five years, the Bay Area personal injury attorneys at Sterns & Walker have been involved in almost every major air carrier accident case, and hundreds of other cases involving claims against major defendants, including: the United States of America; Boeing; General Electric; Sikorsky Helicopter; Airbus; Raytheon; Bell Helicopter; Honeywell; and others.

Our firm maintains good working relationships with most of the major insurers in both the United States and London markets, a factor worth considering in retaining a law firm, as about 97% of all civil cases settle.  And having established a formidable record in court, the airlines and their insurers know that we are more than willing and able to achieve a favorable verdict should the case go to trial.

With our emphasis on complex litigation involving aviation accidents and defective products, we often draw on our extensive network of experts and consultants in a wide variety of disciplines to assist us in case preparation, compiling expert reports, and presenting testimony at trial.  We have worked with some of the top experts in their fields, including the privilege of having a Blue Angels pilot in one of our cases, a memento of which we are proud to feature on this website, as a reminder of what it takes to be the best.  For cases which do go to trial, we have access to some of the finest jury analysts, consultants, and psychologists to assist us in analysis of prospective jurors and on pinpointing potential biases and prejudices that might adversely impact our clients and their cases.

No Out-of-Pocket Costs for the Client

Almost all of our cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning that our law firm does not collect fees unless and until a recovery is made.  Furthermore, in most cases our firm is able to advance the costs of the litigation so that the client is not out one cent if there is no recovery.  This feature is particularly beneficial to clients with limited means, who ordinarily could not afford to pursue a case against a major airline or other large corporation with deep pockets.  Expert witnesses, accident reconstructions, discovery of evidence, depositions, and other costs can all be advanced by our firm and later reimbursed out of recovered funds.

Working Relationships with Other Law Firms

Most of the cases that come to our office come by referral from other law firms around the country and worldwide.  These firms appreciate the complexity of aviation accident cases and recognize the need to associate with a firm which concentrates heavily in this area of law.  In these cases, we often involve referral firm in various aspects on the case, and negotiate fee sharing arrangements in accordance with the rules of professional conduct.

If you or a family member has been the victim of an aviation accident, or if you are an attorney or law firm seeking assistance with an aviation accident case, contact the Law Offices of Sterns & Walker today for a consultation.