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| .EXPERT WITNESS: AIRLINE PASSENGER CLAIMS & DISPUTES |
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AIRLINE INDUSTRY BACKGROUND Twenty-one years as an international flight attendant/in-flight chief purser. Based on the routes flown and number of trips per month, an accountant estimated my “miles” at about 10 million. Since then,
I have kept up with industry developments through systematic research. In
addition, my five books and web sites generate informative correspondence
from airline passengers and employees. EXPERT TESTIMONY & RESEARCH • Crew-passenger conflict: passenger arrested after landing. In July 2006, the day after my name was submitted as an expert for the plaintiff in Frederick Woolverton vs. Continental Airlines, Continental offered a settlement. Plaintiff’s attorney, Mark Henry (Henry Law Firm), informed me by phone that he believed the offer to settle was based on my being named as his expert witness. Mr. Henry subsequently wrote: “Our firm believes that your involvement was necessary to the successful resolution of this matter by settlement.” • Passenger injury during emergency evacuation. In May 2002, I prepared testimony for the Superior Court of California (Anonymous vs. United Airlines). After United settled, plaintiff’s attorney, Ron Herron (Herron & Herron), wrote to me: “Your experience and research were perfect. You equipped me with nine or ten points that were like fire crackers, giving me the specifics and confidence I needed to push for and achieve a positive settlement for my clients. I am always happy to recommend you.” • Deep vein thrombosis. In February 2001, I conducted research on DVT for Gerry Sterns (Sterns & Walker): “We are very grateful for your extensive insight and thoughts regarding DVT. Your assistance in listing and analyzing all the potential contributing and precipitating factors that may be associated with air travel was invaluable. You have made a strong contribution to what may be a landmark case involving DVT and air carriers.” • Wrongful death on an international flight. In August 2000, I testified in Northern California District Court (Rubina Husain vs. Olympic Airways) on behalf of the widow of a passenger who died on a flight. Plaintiff’s attorney Susie Injijian (Sterns & Walker) wrote to me: “Judge Breyer specifically quoted you to support his finding that Olympic had committed willful misconduct and therefore could not benefit from the liability limits. Your testimony was very effective.” The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the District Court’s Decision.
Since the publication of my first aviation book in 1992, I have been frequently asked by national and international media for my comments on aviation issues. I’ve been quoted hundreds on times on a range of subjects including aircraft water, air pollution on planes, air rage, athlete and celebrity passengers, dehydration during flight, fear of flying, in-flight meals, jetlag, medical emergencies, pesticides in airplane cabins, seat belts and seat comfort. I have been featured by CNN, Dateline, Extra, Hard Copy, ABC News, and NBC News; publications including New York Times, USA Today, Newsday, Los Angeles Times, Business Week, TIME, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, International Herald Tribune, Journal of the American Bar Association, American Express Corporate Card Newsletter, American College of Nuclear Physicians Newsletter, National Enquirer, Smithsonian, Working Woman, Men’s Fitness, Townsend Letter for Doctors, Utne Reader, and Entrepreneur, as well as London Times, Taipei Times, Tokyo Today, Australian, L’Espresso (Italy), Veja (Brazil); National Public Radio, Coast to Coast AM, and news services —AP, UPI, Reuters and Fox News. Smart Money (8/95), published by The Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Tribune (6/94) both wrote: “Take the advice of Diana Fairechild.” |
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