Flight 370: Families Of Missing Malaysia Flight Can Now Sue In American Courts

A month and a half ago Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared over the southern Indian Ocean and has yet to be discovered. The milestone, although dismal for the families of those still missing, marks the day that lawyers are allowed to move in.

There is a 45-day rule that says American lawyers have to wait that long to reach out to a family that has lost a loved one in a plane crash. The milestone also means that families are allowed to file suit in American courts against Boeing, the U.S. aircraft manufacturer of the missing aircraft.

The one problem that families are likely to face when filing suit at this juncture is that presently the wreckage has not been discovered. Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 vanished, virtually into thin air, and if there is no wreckage, and no bodies, then there is no case.

According to Malay Mail Online, the absence of the plane and those on board has not stopped an American law firm, Chicago-based firm Ribbeck Law, from announcing the representation of “more than half” the families of those on board the flight in a lawsuit against the carrier and Boeing Co, the maker of the plane used.

Last month, just over two weeks after Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared Ribbeck Law took the first step toward a potential multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the carrier and the jet’s manufacturer, and drew harsh criticism from veteran aviation attorneys and stern condemnation from a Cook County judge, according to CNBC.

The judge tossed out the court action and admonished the law firm for filing what she called a “baseless petition” demanding that Malaysia Airlines and Chicago-based Boeing turn over evidence of possible design and manufacturing defects that may have caused the disaster.

However, despite the possibility of compensation for the still-grieving Malaysian families, some were less than receptive to the lawsuit.

Kong Chin Wah, whose wife’s niece Ch’ng Mei Ling was a passenger on MH370, told The Malay Mail Online that he and Ch’ng’s brothers refused to entertain the thought that the 33-year-old may be dead without physical evidence of a crash.

“We just hope that a miracle will happen,” Kong said. “There must be at least some solid proof to show that the plane crashed in the sea. Then we’ll accept it. If they just say ‘ended’, we don’t accept it,” added the 49-year-old grieving uncle.

Ronnie Liu, whose close friend Stanley Wong was on the plane, said that the 52-year-old’s family members have yet to be approached by Ribbeck Law, but stressed that they were still uncertain about the lawsuit against Boeing.

“They’re not saying yes, not saying no,” Liu said.

In the last month-and-a-half there have been several theories surrounding the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 such as mechanical and engine failures, and a fire in the cockpit, but as of today the actual reason for the flight’s possible crash remains a mystery.

[Photo Credit: Bing]