Legal Talk Network – March 2025
Tracy Brammeier, partner at Clifford Law Offices and co-host of The Chicago Bar Association’s @theBar podcast, joined co-host Maggie Mendenhall Casey to interview Cook County State’s Attorney Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke. Justice Burke shares her plans for strengthening the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office through new training and hiring initiatives. They also discuss major crime issues, including gun crimes and domestic violence, and the need for more connected systems and communications in the Cook County justice system. Listen to the full podcast here.
Lawdragon – February 2025
Seventeen Clifford Law Offices attorneys have been named to the “2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers” list. Lawdragon selects attorneys for its annual top plaintiffs lawyers list, aiming to highlight the most esteemed in the country through independent research and peer assessments. Read the full article here.
iHeart Media – February 2025
Tracy A. Brammeier, partner at Clifford Law Offices, spoke to iHeart Media’s Kristy Cameron regarding the “goodwill” compensation offer Delta Airlines made to passengers on Flight 4819, which crashed at Toronto’s Pearson Airport on February 17, 2025. Tracy explains why it is best to consult an attorney before accepting a “no strings attached” offer following a crash. Listen to the full interview here.
Newsbreak – February 2025
The family of Casey Crafton, a victim of the January 29 DC crash, filed pre-case claims against the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Army, seeking $250 million from each. The Crafton family is represented by Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner of Clifford Law Offices, who describes Crafton as a loving husband and father and a dedicated member of the Salem, Connecticut community. “This was a disaster waiting to happen, and it just so happened on that particular night,” Clifford said in an interview. “Everything came together to create this preventable tragedy. We want to get to the bottom of it, and this gets us going.” The NTSB is still investigating the crash, and Clifford said that additional claims could be filed after the NTSB report is released. Read the full article here.
LiveNOW from Fox – February 2025
Tracy Brammeier, partner at Clifford Law Offices, was interviewed regarding the $250 million claim filed by the family of Casey Crafton who died in the crash over the Potomac River near DCA airport. Tracy stated, “These families want answers about who knew what, when they knew it, and why they didn’t take action to prevent something like this from happening – ultimately wanting accountability for that failure.” Watch the full interview here.
ABC WETN 10 – February 2025
Tracy A. Brammeier, partner at Clifford Law Offices, spoke to ABC 10 about airline passenger rights when flights are delayed on the tarmac. She shares that “Airlines are able to keep passengers on the plane, on the tarmac, for up to three hours for domestic flights and four hours for international flights,” cautioning that in the event of an emergency, these events can be longer. Tracy adds, “Passengers can choose to get off the plane; however if they do that, the airline is not required to let them back on the plane prior to takeoff.” Watch the full interview here.
WGN-TV – February 2025
“They are all so traumatized by this,” Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, said of the DC aviation crash victims’ loved ones. Clifford is handling the pre-case claims filed by the widow of Casey Crafton against the FAA and U.S. Army on February 18, 2025. “The $250 million claims are directed against multiple governmental agencies that may be responsible,” the firm said in a press release that identified NTSB report findings, including ATC staffing issues and airspace communication lapses. Read the full article here.
Military Times – February 2025
“They will be grieving him for the rest of their lives that will never be the same,” attorney Robert A. Clifford said of the family that filed pre-case claims in the death of Casey Crafton in the tragic DC crash that Clifford called “preventable.” “This crash involves complex matters, and the family deserves answers as to what happened to their loved one.” In addition to the claims against the FAA and the U.S. Army, Clifford also sent letters to American Airlines, Sikorsky Aircraft, and Collins Aerospace requesting that they preserve any evidence relating to the crash. Read the full article here.
Breitbart – February 2025
“Who caused the needless loss of their loved ones? … It could be the Army, it could be FAA, it could be the airline. It could be a combination of those things,” said Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices and legal representation for the family of a DC plane crash victim, told reporters. Clifford also shared that his firm will refrain from filing lawsuits against airlines until the NTSB releases its full report on the crash. Read the full article here.
ABC News – February 2025
The pre-case claims filed by the wife of Casey Crafton, who was killed in the DC plane crash near Reagan National Airport on January 29, are the first step in a process outlined by the Federal Tort Claims Act, which allows people to sue the federal government for injury, death or loss of property. The claims start a six-month clock for a response from the government. “I expect they’ll ignore this entirely and never respond, which is, therefore, a denial, or they’ll wait until five months and 29 days to deny it, because they never accept it and confess error,” attorney Robert Clifford told The Independent. Read the full article here.
The Independent – February 2025
The pre-case claims filed by the wife of Casey Crafton, who was killed in the DC plane crash near Reagan National Airport on January 29, are the first step in a process outlined by the Federal Tort Claims Act, which allows people to sue the federal government for injury, death or loss of property. The claims start a six-month clock for a response from the government. “I expect they’ll ignore this entirely and never respond, which is therefore a denial, or they’ll wait until five months and 29 days to deny it, because they never accept it and confess error,” attorney Robert Clifford told The Independent. Read the full article here.
The Epoch Times – February 2025
“Casey was an incredible human being. He was a giver. He was a loving husband and father. He enjoyed coaching his boys on their youth soccer and little league baseball teams. They will be grieving him for the rest of their lives that will never be the same,” said aviation attorney Robert A. Clifford following the filing of a pre-case claim against the FAA and the U.S. Army on February 18. The claim alleges negligence on behalf of federal employees, specifically the FAA, for potential air traffic control issues and the U.S. Army for the operation of the military helicopter. Read the full article here.
Fox 5 Washington – February 2025
In the first legal action taken in the crash of a commercial jet and a US military helicopter over the Potomac in January, the family of Casey Crafton, a victim of the crash, has filed a $250 million pre-case claim against the U.S. Army and FAA, alleging negligence. Clifford Law Offices, the firm representing the Crafton family, aims to not only help their clients seek justice but also address historical concerns regarding the DCA airspace. Aviation attorney Tracy Brammeier shared, “How do we force accountability as to prevent this from happening again in the future?… All parties involved, meaning the FAA, the US Army, and the airlines, were all very much aware for a very long time about congestion issues with this airport and the dangers that were created for the flying public.” Watch the full interview here.
NBC Connecticut – February 2025
The pre-case claims filed by Clifford Law Offices on February 18, 2025, on behalf of the family of Casey Crafton, are just the beginning of the process to obtain justice for victims of the DC plane crash near Reagan National Airport in January. “The federal government has six months to act on the claims. If they reject or fail to respond during that time, the family can file a lawsuit in federal court,” Clifford explained. Watch the full interview here.
Associated Press – February 2025
The first legal claims over last month’s collision between a passenger jet and a military helicopter at DCA airport have been filed by the wife of a Connecticut man who died in the crash. The pre-case claims were filed on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, against the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Army, seeking $250 million for alleged wrongdoing that led to the collision and death of Casey Crafton. Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, is representing Rachel Crafton in the claim made under the Federal Tort Claims Act as a precursor to a lawsuit. “The families are filing this to achieve their goal of taking the first step towards what the whole world knows will be eventual litigation against the FAA for its air traffic control and the U.S. Army relative to the operations of the helicopter,” Clifford said in an interview. Read the full story here.
CBS Chicago – February 2025
Robert A. Clifford was interviewed by CBS Chicago regarding the pre-case claims filed against the FAA and the U.S. Army on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, on behalf of the family of DC crash victim Casey Crafton, who left behind a wife and three sons. “The passenger families on that aircraft demand justice, they demand answers, and they demand accountability. They’re entitled to that,” Clifford stated. Watch the full clip here.
NewsNation – February 2025
Robert A. Clifford speaks to NewsNation about the claims filed Tuesday, February 18, 2025, against the FAA and the U.S. Army in the deadly collision between a commercial jet and an Army helicopter. Mr. Clifford shared that in addition to the investigation of what occurred during this crash, “we are going to look into what we believe is willful neglect of all the airlines in allowing the commingling of this commercial traffic with military traffic… It has been known for a very long time that that airport creates the opportunity for near misses.” Watch the full interview here.
Houston Chronicle – February 2025
The wife of Casey Crafton, a passenger in the crash between a passenger jet and a military helicopter near DCA airport, filed claims against the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Army on February 18, 2025. The claims were filed on behalf of the family by Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, under the Federal Tort Claims Act and seek $250 million each for alleged wrongdoing that led to the collision. “The families are filing this to achieve their goal of taking the first step towards what the whole world knows will be eventual litigation against the FAA for its air traffic control and the U.S. Army relative to the operations of the helicopter,” Clifford said in an interview. Read the full article here.
US News & World Report – February 2025
Pre-case claims were filed against the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Army by the family of Casey Crafton, a Connecticut man who died in last month’s crash between a passenger jet and military helicopter over the Potomac River. Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, said the claims were based on public comments about the crash made by federal officials, including the helicopter flying above the 200-foot limit near DCA airport, the alleged understaffing at the ATC tower, and communication lapses between ATC and the aircraft. Read the full article here.
WFSB News – February 2025
Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, filed a pre-case claim on behalf of the family of Casey Crafton, a Connecticut man killed in the crash of an American Airlines jet and a military helicopter over the Potomac River. The claim is seeking $250 million from multiple government agencies citing the NTSB report that staffing of air traffic controllers was “not normal” in the tower at the time of the collision and communication lapses between the ATC and the aircraft. Clifford Law Offices filed the claim for, “property damage, personal injury, or wrongful death allegedly caused by a federal employee’s negligence or wrongful act occurring within the scope of the employee’s federal employment.”
Read the full article here.
People – February 2025
Family members of a 40-year-old father of three who died in the mid-air crash in Washington D.C. filed claims against the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Army, citing negligence. Casey Crafton was one of 67 passengers who died on January 29, 2025, when American Airlines flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed near DCA Airport. Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, filed two forms under the Federal Tort Claims Act seeking $250 million for each claim. “This was a disaster waiting to happen, and it just so happened that particular night,” Clifford explained, adding, “We want to get to the bottom of it, and this gets us going.” Read the full article here.
CBS News New York – February 2025
Aviation attorney Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, was interviewed by CBS News New York regarding Delta flight 4819 from Minneapolis that flipped upside-down while landing in Toronto, Canada. Clifford said what stood out in this crash is that all passengers were accounted for and evacuated the plane with no deaths, applauding the flight crew for their actions. The investigation will be led by Canadian officials with assistance from the NTSB since the flight originated in the United States. “The resources that the NTSB has are world-renowned. With the 737 Ethiopian plane about to go to trial, the NTSB was instrumental in helping the country of Ethiopia. The same will happen here, and it will be a plus to the investigation.” said Clifford. Read the full article here.
Yahoo! – February 2025
The family of Casey Crafton, a passenger on AA Flight 5342, has taken the first steps toward litigation as a result of the crash of the commercial jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, filed the pre-case claims against the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Army on behalf of the Crafton family on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. The federal government has six months to act on the claim once it is filed. If rejected or not acted upon, a lawsuit can then be filed. Clifford simultaneously sent notices to preserve evidence to the aviation companies that operate the flights within the controversial Reagan National Airport airspace. Read the full article here.
Fox8 Cleveland – February 2025
Aviation attorney Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, filed pre-case claims against the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Army on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, on behalf of the family of a Connecticut man who was killed in the DCA plane crash. The claim referenced the National Transportation Safety Board’s report that staffing at the air traffic control tower was “not normal” during the collision, as well as reports of communication lapses. “This crash involves complex matters, and the family deserves answers as to what happened to their loved one,” Clifford commented. Read the full article here.
Boston.com – February 2025
The Connecticut family of one of the victims of the DC plane crash filed two legal claims against the federal government on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner of Clifford Law Offices, filed the claim on behalf of the Crafton family who is seeking compensation for the death of Casey Crafton, a passenger onboard American Airlines Flight 5342. The passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed near Ronald Reagan National Airport killing 67 people. “I don’t know who caused this crash, but I know the passengers sure didn’t, and the families are entitled to answers,” Clifford said in an interview. “This was preventable.” Read the full article here.
ABC 30 – February 2025
The pre-case claims filed against the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Army by the family of one of the victims are expected to be the beginning of a lengthy legal process in their pursuit of justice. “We want to get to the bottom of it, and this gets us going,” explained aviation attorney Robert A. Clifford, who is representing the family. Clifford described the collision as “preventable,” alleging that the airlines and the military operating in the airspace around Reagan National Airport failed to take “sufficient precautions to protect its passengers” and has begun an “investigation into potential claims of willful neglect” by airlines operating near DCA. Read the full story here.
New York Post – February 2025
The family of Casey Crafton, a married father of three killed in the Washington, DC plane crash on January 29, 2025, has filed a $250 million claim in the first legal action filed against the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Army in connection to the air disaster. “Casey was an incredible human being. He was a giver, a loving husband, and father,” attorney Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, who is representing the family. The Crafton family “deserves answers about what happened to their loved one.” Read the full story here.
MSN – February 2025
The family of 40-year-old Casey Crafton, who was killed in the collision of AA Flight 5342 and a military helicopter while on his way home from a business trip, has taken steps to sue the federal government. On Tuesday, February 18, 2025, Clifford Law Offices filed claims against the FAA and the U.S. Army on behalf of the Crafton family, initiating the legal process toward litigation. Read the full story here.
Yahoo News! – February 2025
The family of a passenger killed in the January 29 collision of an airliner and a military helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport has taken preliminary steps to initiate lawsuits against the FAA and the U.S. Army. With paperwork filed, the government has six months to respond. “Given the nature of what we know about this crash, there is absolutely no reason to not get that clock running,” said aviation attorney Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, who is representing the family. Read the full story here.
The Washington Post – February 2025
Clifford Law Offices, a leading aviation firm based in Chicago, filed on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, pre-case claims against the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Army involving a passenger killed in the January 2025 midair crash of an American Airlines regional jet with a military helicopter, killing all 67 on board. The notices give the government six months to respond; after that, the family has two years to file a lawsuit. Read the full story here.
Fox News – February 2025
Clifford Law Offices filed legal actions related to the deadly Jan. 29 Washington, D.C. plane crash, seeking $250 million on behalf of a widow of 16 years and her three children of a passenger who perished in the midair collision. The recent collision of American Airlines Flight 5342 with an Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk over the Potomac River killed every person aboard both aircraft, a total of 67 people, including 40-year-old Casey Crafton of Salem, Connecticut. “Casey was an incredible human being,” attorney Bob Clifford of Clifford Law Offices said in a Tuesday statement. “He was a giver, a loving husband, and father. He enjoyed coaching his boys on their youth soccer and Little League baseball teams. They will be grieving him for the rest of their lives that will never be the same. The family deserves answers about what happened to their loved one.” Read the full story here.
The Hill – February 2025
The family of one of the 67 people killed last month when a military helicopter crashed into a passenger jet outside Washington, D.C., filed $250 million in claims against the U.S. government. The claims were filed against the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Army, which was operating the Blackhawk helicopter, by the family of Casey Crafton, according to a news release from the Chicago-based Clifford Law Offices. “Given the nature of what we know about this crash, there is absolutely no reason to not get that clock running because, as a matter of fact, it’s a very useful thing to get running, given the timeline that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has promised the families regarding the issuance of a preliminary report of their investigation,” attorney Robert Clifford said. Read the full story here.
WTNH New 8 – February 2025
The family of one of the 67 victims of a helicopter and plane crash on Jan. 29 near Washington, D.C., filed two pre-case claims against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Army on February 18, 2025. Clifford Law Offices is representing the family. Read the full story here.
NBC CT – February 2025
The family of one of the victims killed in last month’s midair collision between a passenger plane and a U.S. Army helicopter in Washington filed pre-case claims seeking compensation from the FAA and the military, citing preliminary information that the control tower was not staffed normally at the time of the crash. The claims filed by Clifford Law Offices on behalf of the widow and children of the passenger, Casey Crafton, 40, of Connecticut, are seeking a total of $250 million from the FAA and the Army. Though not a formal suit, it kicks off a process that could eventually result in one. “Casey was an incredible human being. He was a giver. He was a loving husband and father. He enjoyed coaching his boys on their youth soccer and little league baseball teams. They will be grieving him for the rest of their lives that will never be the same,” Robert Clifford, founder and senior partner of Clifford Law Offices, said. Read the full story here.
Politico – February 2025
The family of one of the victims killed in last month’s midair collision between a passenger plane and a U.S. Army helicopter in Washington filed pre-case claims February 18, seeking compensation from the Federal Aviation Administration and the military, citing preliminary information that the control tower was not staffed normally at the time of the crash. The claims filed by Clifford Law Offices on behalf of the widow and children of the passenger, Casey Crafton, 40, of Connecticut, are seeking a total of $250 million from the FAA and the Army. Though not a formal suit, it kicks off a process that could eventually result in one. Read the full story here.
USA Today – February 2025
The family of one of the 67 people killed last month when a military helicopter crashed into a passenger jet outside Washington, D.C., filed $250 million in pre-case claims against the U.S. government. The claims were filed against the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Army, which was operating the Blackhawk helicopter, by the family of Casey Crafton, according to a news release from the Chicago-based Clifford Law Offices. “Casey was an incredible human being. He was a giver. He was a loving husband and father. He enjoyed coaching his boys on their youth soccer and little league baseball teams. They will be grieving him for the rest of their lives that will never be the same,” attorney Robert Clifford said. Read the full story here.
KWCH 12 News – February 2025
Clifford Law Offices, an aviation law firm in Chicago, filed the first known legal actions Tuesday on behalf of a victim of American Airlines Flight 5342, which took off from Wichita on Jan. 29 and crashed following a midair collision with an Army helicopter in Washington, D.C. Read the full story here.
Fox 5 – February 2025
Aviation attorney Robert A. Clifford expects lawsuits over the DCA plane crash that occurred in February 2025. “Absolutely. There’s no doubt in my mind about that, and rightfully so. I don’t think anyone would deny these innocents of their fair compensation,” Clifford said when asked about the likelihood of lawsuits. “President Trump said the very first day this was a preventable crash. The helicopter was above its authorized elevation, and it shouldn’t have been there.” Read the full story here.
The New York Times – February 2025
Clifford Law Offices is the first to file legal claims against the federal government on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, seeking compensation on behalf of the family of one of the 67 victims in the collision of American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Black Hawk helicopter on January 29. “I don’t know who caused this crash, but I know the passengers sure didn’t, and the families are entitled to answers. This was preventable,” Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, said in an interview. The claims brought by the victim’s wife were filed against the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Army under the Federal Tort Claims Act, which enables individuals to take the federal government to court for property damage, personal injury, or death. Read the full story here.
Law360 – February 2025
The US Department of Justice and Boeing have requested a four-week extension to rework a plea agreement in the ongoing Boeing 737 Max8 criminal conspiracy case, citing the need to brief new senior DOJ officials on a potential new deal. The parties are now asking the court to allow them until March 14 to file their agreement in hopes of avoiding a high-profile criminal trial. U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor rejected the previous agreement between the DOJ and Boeing in December 2024 as families of crash victims deemed the deal “morally reprehensible” for allowing Boeing to avoid accountability. Read the full story here.
Expert Institute – February 2025
The work of Bradley M. Cosgrove, partner at Clifford Law Offices, is highlighted by the Expert Institute’s list of “The Biggest Medical Malpractice Verdicts of 2024,” recognizing him for a record $66 million judgement that was obtained on behalf of a 39-year-old mother of four who bled to death following a negligent surgical procedure that went unnoticed. Craig J. Squillace, partner at the firm was also a part of the trial team that brought the decedent’s family justice in this record case. Read the full story here.
Law.com – February 2025
At least eight class actions have been filed so far in 2025 against retail giant Amazon, its subsidiary Amazon Advertising, insurance company Allstate Corp., and Allstate’s data analytics subsidiary, Arity LLC. Morgan & Morgan and Clifford Law Offices filed suit against Allstate Insurance on January 14, 2025, alleging that the company tracked data, including “driving behavior,” of more than 45 million consumers without consent, using the data to raise premiums. “[Allstate] has allegedly built the ‘world’s largest driver database’ by collecting and selling data about tens of millions of people without their consent… We are fighting on behalf of our clients to put a stop to this purportedly improper data collection and hold Allstate accountable for its alleged surveillance and invasion of privacy,” shared Morgan & Morgan attorney John Yanchunis and Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Office. Read the full story here.
WGN TV – February 2025
The Village of Barrington announced that it plans to install pedestrian gates at the Main Street crossing in March 2025, more than a year after a 17-year-old Barrington High School student was fatally struck at the station on her way to school in January 2024. “Marin merely attempted to cross over the sidewalk on her way to school after the first train passed through the crossing. Without any warnings to alert her that an inbound train was coming from the opposite direction and without notice that this inbound track was what is sometimes called a ‘hot rail,’ Marin was unaware there was a second train approaching,” said James Pullos, an attorney at Clifford Law Offices, who is representing the family. “Instead of showing urgency for the community safety, no action was ever taken to address the long-standing safety concerns at this crossing.” Read the full story here.
Fox 5 DC – February 2025
“This was a preventable crash. The helicopter was above its authorized elevation, and it shouldn’t have been there,” aviation attorney Robert Clifford told Fox 5 regarding the January 29 crash above the Potomac that killed 67 when a military helicopter collided with a commercial jet. Clifford told reporters that he expects families of victims in the crash to file lawsuits, explaining that typically, these kinds of cases take multiple years to resolve, but the involvement of the U.S. government, the FAA, and the Army, as well as the complexities of the case, will add many intricacies. Watch the full interview here.
Yahoo! – February 2025
Robert Clifford, founder and senior partner of Clifford Law Offices, shared that his firm is actively speaking with about a dozen families impacted by the deadly crash at Reagan National Airport that involved a U.S. Army helicopter and a commercial jet. “I don’t think anyone would deny these innocents of their fair compensation,” Clifford said when asked about the likelihood of lawsuits. Should families choose to pursue legal action, he shared they should anticipate their case to take years to resolve. “A case against the government involves a trial before a federal judge,” he explained. “You have to file a notice of claim with the government, and the government has six months to decide if they’re going to honor the claim or not.” Read the full article here.
Fox 5 DC – February 2025
About a dozen families of victims in the Washington D.C. crash on January 29 have reached out to Clifford Law Offices for legal action, which holds many nuances. Aviation attorney Robert Clifford says the involvement of the U.S. government, the Army, and the systemic issues within the FAA complicates potential cases. “I don’t think anyone would deny these innocents of their fair compensation,” he stated. “The helicopter was above its authorized elevation, and it shouldn’t have been there.” Read the full article here.
Daily Mail – February 2025
Aviation attorney Robert A. Clifford is calling on the U.S. government to suspend military helicopter activity in and around the DCA airspace as investigations into the January 29 fatal crash continue. “There have been discussions for some time about the congestion associated with that and the potential for disaster. And we saw it come home,” Clifford stated. Pilots claim the congested airspace over Reagan National Airport in DC has caused issues for decades with the crossover of commercial jets and military aircraft, complicating restricted areas in the airspace. Read the full article here.
Western Standard – February 2025
Leading aviation attorney Robert Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, has urged immediate action by the U.S. government to temporarily suspend military helicopters from flying in Reagan’s airspace in the aftermath of the fatal collision on January 29. “I can’t get over how stunningly clear it is that this was a preventable crash and this should never, ever have occurred,” said Clifford. The aviation industry has raised serious concerns about the long-standing risks in the airspace surrounding Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. Read the full article here.
Newsbreak – February 2025
Aviation attorney Robert A. Clifford called for the U.S. government to temporarily halt the practice of military helicopters flying in Reagan’s airspace in response to the tragedy. The complex airspace over Reagan Airport, along with the decision by Congress to ease restrictions on the number of flights allowed to land, may have contributed to a history of ‘near-midair collisions.’ Just twenty-four hours before the fatal crash on January 29, one such incident occurred when a passenger jet was ordered to circle DCA after being warned of a nearby military helicopter. Read the full article here.
eTurboNews – February 2025
Families of victims killed in the 2018 and 2019 737-Max8 crashes have requested to meet with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, asking them to reveal all relevant facts in the case to the court in hopes of securing a new agreement that would hold Boeing accountable. US District Court Judge Reed O’Connor, who is presiding over the criminal case, has established a deadline of February 16. Clifford Law Offices, on behalf of victims’ families, filed objections to the original plea agreement in 2024. Read the full article here.
ABC News – February 2025
Following the deadly plane crashes in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, aviation accident attorney Robert A. Clifford shares that heightened apprehension surrounding air travel is not abnormal, especially when casualties are involved. Clifford, who is the founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices in Chicago, has represented victims and their families in nearly every major commercial airline crash in the U.S. in the last 40 years. Read the full article here.
Law.com – February 2025
Aviation attorney Robert A. Clifford spoke with Law.com, sharing his insights on the need for the FAA to take action following the tragic crash at Ronald Reagan Washington International Airport on January 29. He shared that the FAA has reportedly failed to act on more than 1,000 safety recommendations, saying, “That does not surprise me at all, but the number is staggering. Something’s got to be done about that.” Clifford suggested that the FAA suspend all helicopters in the airport’s airspace while investigations continue. Read the full article here.
Chicago Sun-Times – February 2025
The family of a 14-year-old boy who was killed when a Fuller’s Car Wash employee lost control of a Jeep on July 17, 2023, said they are “patient and determined” to get justice for their son as Fuller’s filed for bankruptcy, delaying court testimony in the wrongful death suit filed by Clifford Law Offices. “Even after killing a child and injuring others, the Fullers are trying to avoid the truth, accountability, and public safety,” the boy’s family said in a statement. “We are familiar with the old saying that justice delayed is justice denied. And once again, Fuller’s are using every trick in the book to delay our day in court.” Read the full article here.
Chicago Tribune – February 2025
The family of a 14-year-old boy who died from injuries sustained in a crash outside Fuller’s Car Wash in Hinsdale on July 17, 2023, is questioning the timing of last week’s bankruptcy filing by Fuller’s. A statement issued Friday by Bradley Cosgrove and Charles Haskins, partners at Clifford Law Offices in Chicago, the firm representing the Richards family, stated the family was not surprised that the bankruptcy was filed on January 29, “just hours before its responsible parties were set to have their depositions taken in the wrongful death matter.” The Richards family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Fuller’s. Read the full article here.
WGN TV – February 2025
The owners of Fuller’s Car Wash filed for bankruptcy amid a wrongful death lawsuit that alleges a history of negligence and lack of safety precautions on the business premises. The filing came “just hours before its responsible parties were set to have their depositions taken in the wrongful death matter,” announced Clifford Law Offices on January 29, 2025. Bradley Cosgrove, partner at the firm who is representing the family of the boy, said, “There must be accountability for what occurred, not only for Sean and his family but for everyone who frequents that area in Hinsdale. This lawsuit sends a message to all business owners that safety must come first.” Read the full article here.
WGN Radio – February 2025
Bob Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, joined host Karen Conti on WGN Radio’s Legally Speaking to discuss the deadly mid-air collision between an American Airlines commercial jet and a military helicopter that killed 67 people. Listen here.
Fox 32 Chicago – January 2025
Aviation attorney Robert Clifford, who is considered the authority on aviation litigation, spoke to Fox 32 about the tragedy at Reagan National, saying that he believes all military traffic around the airfield needs to be grounded until further notice and staffing inside the control tower is addressed immediately. “It created a confluence of too much activity, which has been discussed for quite some time in that community, and finally, the tragedy has occurred.” Clifford is the lead counsel representing the families in the litigation against Boeing in the crash of Ethiopian Flight 302 in 2019. Watch the full video here.
Fortune – January 2025
A preliminary report from the FAA says one air traffic controller was working two positions at the time of the midair collision of a passenger jet and military helicopter in DC. Aviation attorney Robert A. Clifford stated the crowded airspace around Reagan National Airport was well known before the crash and said that the airport is “very unique” due to its proximity to the capital and highly restricted airspace. Clifford further stated, “Because of the massive military presence in our capital, the Pentagon, and a number of bases, there’s understandably a lot of military aircraft in the area.” Read the full article here.
The Philadelphia Inquirer – January 2025
Challenging even the most experienced pilots, aviation experts have long worried the congestion in the airspace around Reagan National Airport could lead to catastrophe. Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, says the U.S. government should temporarily halt military helicopter flights in the airspace that is used by commercial airlines near Reagan National. “I can’t get over how stunningly clear it is that this was a preventable crash and this should never, ever have occurred,” Clifford said. “There have been discussions for some time about the congestion associated with that and the potential for disaster. And we saw it come home last night.” Read the full article here.
USA Today – January 2025
Lawmakers are questioning whether congestion at Reagan National Airport played a role in Wednesday’s midair collision between an American Airlines flight and a Black Hawk military helicopter. Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, lead counsel representing families of the victims of the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max crash, is calling for an immediate grounding of all military aircraft using the airspace until this is sorted out. “It’s long known within local Washingtonian circles that there’s a lot of congestion at the Reagan airport,” Clifford said. “You have this cross-pollination of use by the commercial operators and the military in an area that’s restricted because it’s right next door to the capital.” Read the full article here.
Fox News – January 2025
Aviation attorney Robert A. Clifford commented on the collision of a commercial American Airlines flight and a Black Hawk helicopter at Reagan National in DC, saying aviation rules may have been violated and that it was a “needless loss of life.” He noted that audio from air traffic control shows that they gave the Black Hawk directions twice, but there was no response before the crash. “It’s obviously too soon to tell, though the finger-pointing is beginning already when you have the CEO of American Airlines pointing his fingers at the air traffic controller and the helicopter and their communications,” Clifford said. “So there will be, but there’s plenty of time for all of that, but certainly this was a needless loss of life.” Read the full article here.
Yahoo! News – January 2025
Aviation attorney Robert A. Clifford is calling for immediate changes to prevent future tragedies following the midair collision at Reagan National in DC. Clifford is the lead counsel lead representing the families in the litigation against Boeing in the crash of Ethiopian Flight 302 in 2019. He suggests that military flights should be grounded and staffing inside the control tower needs to be immediately addressed. “We don’t have proper equipment communications between the incoming aircraft and the helicopters, and of course, now we’ve got overworked ATC people in the local tower,” he said. “Who is the victim of that? We are. We, the traveling public.” Read the full article here.
Law360 – January 2025
Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, lead counsel representing families of the victims of the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max crash, says this is a “fluid and dynamic situation” and that more facts will come out of the NTSB investigation. Regarding litigation, there will be complications with the crossover between civilian and military aircraft and also due to the U.S. government air traffic control issues that are a factor. Clifford stated, “Any claims against American Airlines and its local regional operator will be civil claims filed by the families seeking compensation for the wrongful deaths with demands for trial by jury. In contrast, any military or governmental claim is something determined by a federal judge alone.” Read the full article here.
Fox 32 Chicago – January 2025
Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, was interviewed by Fox 32, saying that after additional flights were added last May, the airspace around Reagan National has become too crowded. “It created a confluence of too much activity, and that has been discussed for quite some time in that community,” Clifford said. “And finally, a tragedy has occurred.” He also suggests that military aircraft should be grounded and control tower staffing should be addressed immediately. “We don’t have proper equipment communications between the incoming aircraft and the helicopters, and of course, now we’ve got overworked ATC people in the local tower,” he said. “Who is the victim of that? We are. We, the traveling public.” Read the full article here.
NBC Chicago – January 2025
The National Transportation Safety Board began its investigation into the deadly mid-air collision between an American Airlines commercial jet and a military helicopter, killing 67 people. Aviation attorney Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, commented that the crowded airspace was well known before the crash and that Reagan National is very unique because of its proximity to the highly restricted airspace around the nation’s capital. “There have been discussions for some time about the congestion associated with that and the potential for disaster. And we saw it come home last night,” Clifford said. Read the full article here.
PBS News – January 2025
Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner of Clifford Law Offices and aviation attorney involved in every major commercial airline disaster in the U.S. in the last four decades, commented on the devastating mid-air collision between an American Airlines passenger plane and a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport that happened on January 29th, 2025. “I can’t get over how stunningly clear it is that this was a preventable crash, and this should never, ever have occurred,” Clifford said. He added, “There have been discussions for some time about the congestion associated with that and the potential for disaster. And we saw it come home last night.” Read the full article here.
Associated Press – January 2025
Aviation attorney Robert Clifford called on the Department of Transportation, Defense Department, and the FAA to immediately halt all military helicopters in the airspace surrounding Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. “I can’t get over how stunningly clear it is that this was a preventable crash and this should never, ever have occurred,” Clifford said. Given the previous close calls and crowded airspace over the airport, he also added, “There have been discussions for some time about the congestion associated with that and the potential for disaster. And we saw it come home last night.” Read the full article here.
MSN – January 2025
Aviation leaders weighed in on ongoing concerns surrounding congested air space and staffing issues surrounding Reagan National Airport prior to the deadly crash between an American Airlines jet and a military helicopter on January 29, 2025. International aviation attorney Robert A. Clifford emphasized that the crash was preventable, stating, “I can’t get over how stunningly clear it is that this was a preventable crash and this should never, ever have occurred,” Clifford said. “There have been discussions for some time about the congestion associated with that and the potential for disaster. And we saw it come home last night.” Read the full article here.
ABC 12 KSAT – January 2025
Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, shared professional insight on the deadly January 29 crash of an American Airlines jet and a U.S. military Black Hawk helicopter, saying the incident was “preventable” and “should never, ever have occurred.” Clifford urged the U.S. government to suspend military helicopter flights in the airspace shared with Reagan National Airport while investigations continue. Read the full article here.
ABC 19 WXOW – January 2025
In the aftermath of a deadly mid-air collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. military Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., top aviation attorney Robert A. Clifford spoke out about the preventable nature of the tragedy. He emphasized the critical need for enhanced safety protocols and proper air traffic control to prevent such disasters, especially considering past concerns surrounding the congestion in the air space and failing communication between the towers and pilots. “This should never have occurred,” he stated, stressing the importance of litigation in pushing for meaningful change in aviation safety standards. Read the full article here.
Minnesota Star Tribune – January 2025
Chicago aviation attorney Robert A. Clifford spoke out on the deadly mid-air collision between an American Airlines jet and a military helicopter near Reagan National Airport, emphasizing the long-standing concerns about the airport’s congested airspace and faulty communication. Clifford stated, “There have been discussions for some time about the congestion associated with that and the potential for disaster. And we saw it come home last night.” His comments highlight the need for improved industry-wide aviation safety measures. Read the full article here.
Law.com – January 2025
Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, called for the families of victims in the January 29 collision of an American Airlines passenger jet and a military helicopter over the Potomac River to seek litigation as a means to put an end to preventable aviation disasters. “When they don’t put skin in the game, how do you force them to put skin in the game?” Clifford also commented, “That’s one of the positives of litigation because, without it, there’s no penalty. When you eliminate punitive damages, it’s just a cost of doing business to pay off the families in litigation.” Clifford is an aviation lawyer and lead counsel in the litigation against Boeing in the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash that killed all 157 on board across 35 countries and several continents. Read the full article here.
Newsweek – January 2025
Preliminary details suggest human error potentially contributed to the mid-air collision between an American Airlines passenger plane and a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on January 29, 2025. Top aviation attorney Robert A. Clifford spoke to Newsweek, expressing the need for the airspace surrounding the crash site to remain clear during investigations. “The FAA must immediately suspend all helicopter flights in the airspace of Reagan National Airport until the investigation is complete and any NTSB recommendations are implemented. The risks are simply too high,” he commented. Read the full article here.
ABC 7 News – January 2025
Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, spoke to ABC 7 News on January 29 regarding the devastating mid-air collision between an American Airlines passenger plane and a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. “Of course, the investigations have to play out,” he shared, adding that NTSB investigations will “identify all the causative facts, the things that led up to this terrible tragedy.” Watch the full interview here.
FTN News – January 2025
Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner of Clifford Law Offices and aviation attorney involved in every major commercial airline disaster in the U.S. in the last four decades, commented on the devastating mid-air collision between an American Airlines passenger plane and a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport January 29, 2025: “A mid-air collision immediately leads to questions about FAA air traffic control failures, possible pilot error, and aircraft traffic collision avoidance system performance, all of which the NTSB will be looking at along with all other aspects of the investigation. This is not the first air traffic safety incident at Reagan National Airport in the last year. The aviation community has been sounding the alarm on an increasing number of close calls since 2023.” Read the full article here.
Law.com – January 2025
A class-action lawsuit against Allstate Insurance was filed on January 14, 2025, by Morgan & Morgan and Clifford Law Offices alleging that the data of more than 45 million consumers was used to raise premiums. The lawsuit was highlighted in “Class Actions: Critical Mass,” a weekly briefing from Law.com. Read the full article here.
MSN – January 2025
Robert Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices and Marist High School class of 1969, announced a $1 million gift to support the school’s mission through scholarships and financial aid to students. Mr. Clifford was recognized as a distinguished alumnus at Marist High School’s second annual “A Night of Honor, Glory and Fame” and shared his personal journey of achievement and reaffirmed his strong connection to the Marist community. In his speech, he stated, “The whole notion of coming from Marist and being part of Marist’s community has really inspired me to be someone who has tried to achieve and do good deeds.” Read the full article here.
Law360 – January 2025
On Thursday, January 16, 2025, an Illinois Appellate Court panel ruled to uphold a $6 million Cook County jury verdict in a suit accusing Dr. Holly Carobene and pain management clinic Comprehensive Pain Care of causing the June 2015 death of Ebeilda Ramirez by hydrocodone toxicity. The healthcare providers argued that the evidence brought against them was speculative; however, the three-judge panel dismissed the argument that the expert testimony provided in the case was speculative: “It is a simple fact that if Dr. Carobene had not been prescribing hydrocodone to Ramirez, for whatever reason, then Ramirez would not have had the hydrocodone that killed her.” Patrick Bradley, of counsel at Clifford Law Offices and attorney for Ramirez’s family, shared, “This case demonstrates how dangerous these narcotics are when used on a long-term basis.” Read the full article here.
Law.com – January 2025
Morgan & Morgan and Clifford Law Offices filed a class action against Allstate Insurance on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, for its alleged unlawful collection and sale of data from more than 45 million consumers through third-party apps like Life360 and Sirius XM to raise premiums. The attorneys handling the case foresee complications considering the necessity to educate judges on the repercussions of privacy rights violations and the damages associated with a case of this nature. Read the full article here.
PC MAG UK – January 2025
Allstate’s collection of user data has sparked a class-action lawsuit against the insurance company filed in the state of Illinois. Attorneys at Morgan & Morgan and Clifford Law Offices allege that Allstate improperly collected driving-related data through third-party apps without consent from users, which violates consumer’s privacy. The firms said in a joint statement they “are fighting on behalf of our clients to put a stop to this purportedly improper data collection and hold Allstate accountable for its alleged surveillance and invasion of privacy.” Read the full article here.
Carscoops – January 2025
A class-action lawsuit was filed in the Northern District of Illinois against Allstate, alleging that the company, along with Arity, paid third-party apps to unlawfully collect data that was used to raise premiums, deny coverage, or drop policyholders. “Allstate has allegedly built the ‘world’s largest driver database’ by collecting and selling data about tens of millions of people without their consent. Our class action lawsuit alleges that Allstate undertook this data collection effort to increase its profits at the expense of unaware consumers and their privacy,” said attorneys from Morgan & Morgan and Clifford Law Offices in a joint statement. Read the full article here.
Consumer Affairs – January 2025
A class-action lawsuit in Illinois filed by Morgan & Morgan and Clifford Law Offices alleges that Allstate unlawfully collected data without consumers’ consent, invading the privacy of more than 45 million Americans. “Allstate has allegedly built the ‘world’s largest driver database’ by collecting and selling data about tens of millions of people without their consent. Our class action lawsuit alleges that Allstate undertook this data collection effort to increase its profits at the expense of unaware consumers and their privacy,” the firms said in a joint statement. Read the full article here.
Yahoo! Tech – January 2025
A class-action lawsuit in Illinois filed by Morgan & Morgan and Clifford Law Offices alleges that Allstate unlawfully collected data without consumers’ consent, invading the privacy of more than 45 million Americans. “Allstate has allegedly built the ‘world’s largest driver database’ by collecting and selling data about tens of millions of people without their consent. Our class action lawsuit alleges that Allstate undertook this data collection effort to increase its profits at the expense of unaware consumers and their privacy,” the firms said in a joint statement. Read the full article here.
Law360 – January 2025
A lawsuit has been filed against Allstate alleging the company illegally obtained the personal driving data of millions of policyholders via software embedded in third-party apps and secretly used that data to hike premiums, deny claims, or drop policyholders from coverage. In a joint statement, attorneys John Morgan, John Yanchunis, and Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, said Allstate “undertook this data collection effort to increase its profits at the expense of unaware consumers and their privacy.” Read the full article here.
Law.com – January 2025
Lawyers from South Korea have reached out to aviation attorney Robert Clifford, founder and senior partner of Clifford Law Offices, on behalf of the families and passengers of the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crash that killed 179. Clifford commented that focusing on Boeing may be premature as pilot error or maintenance may be to blame for this incident. “One example is it’s not explained why the pilot touched down so far down the landing strip. It cuts off the available space of landing. Why wasn’t the landing gear deployed? Because, even if they lost all power, which is an open question, it can be done mechanically, and you pull a pin, and gravity forces the landing gear down. So there are a lot of questions,” he stated. Read the full article here.
Law360 – January 2025
U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor gave the U.S. Department of Justice and Boeing until mid-February to renegotiate a plea agreement in the criminal conspiracy case related to the crashes of two 737 MAX8 jets in 2018 and 2019. The parties have a six-week extension until February 16th, 2024, to file a new status report on their plan to move forward with a new agreement and avoid a criminal trial. Read the full article here.
Law360 – January 2025
In a joint status report filed January 3, 2025, Boeing and the U.S. Department of Justice announced they have yet to reach an agreement on how to revise the aircraft manufacturer’s plea deal in the 737 Max criminal conspiracy case after U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor rejected the initial agreement on December 5, 2024. The report did state both parties “continue to work in good faith toward that end.” Victims’ families remain anxious for closure. Read the full article here.
Breitbart News – January 2025
South Korean law enforcement authorities raided the Muan International Airport and the Jeju Air Seoul offices on Thursday, January 2, 2025, in connection with the crash of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 on December 29, 2024, that killed 179. Authorities sought information regarding the final moments of the flight or any details that could help explain why the plane appeared to fail to properly launch its landing gear and crash into a concrete wall at the end of the runway. “This plane appears to have experienced a mechanical problem,” said aviation attorney Robert A. Clifford. “Boeing keeps pointing to the bird strike issue,” Clifford noted, stating that it was “standard practice for their public relations team to shift the focus away from Boeing.” Read the full article here.
The National – January 2025
“A bird strike is unlikely to have interfered with the deployment of the landing gear,” said aviation attorney Bob Clifford regarding the crash of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 in South Korea that killed 179. “This plane appears to have experienced a mechanical problem,” he continued, stressing the importance of evaluating the plane’s digital flight data and cockpit recorders in order to determine the cause of the crash. Mr. Clifford, who serves as Lead Counsel in the civil litigation pending in federal district court in Chicago in the 2019 crash of a Boeing 737 MAX8 crash in Ethiopia, noted that a loss of power to one or both engines caused by bird strikes would not normally cut the hydraulics. Read the full article here.
