Clifford Law

Robert A. Clifford, senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, was quoted in a front-page story in USA Today (July 12, 2013) on the inaction of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding the urgent need for aural warnings to pilots when they are flying too slowly. Aviation investigators have told reporters that low air speed is one of the major problems in the crash of Asiana Airlines Flight…

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has long forbid the use of most electronics while in flight; however, that may be changing. The agency’s recent announcement on in-flight cell phone use has some questioning the impact on flight safety. Changes in Restrictions The FAA announced last year that it was in the process of reevaluating its restrictions on in-flight electronic usage. And while potentially more electronics will be allowed, it has been made clear that full…

For some 10 years, aviation safety advocates have been asking the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to equip all commercial aircraft with low air speed alerts, a technology that warns pilots with a loud oral warning that the speed of the plane is too slow. The FAA has not acted, despite the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) making that recommendation. Senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, Robert A. Clifford, also made the FAA aware of this…

After many news reports and a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) video focusing on the July 6, 2013 plane crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214, we now know that the pilot who was landing the Boeing 777 logged only 43 hours on that particular aircraft. We also know that the pilot was still considered “in training” on the 777. The question remains, does the amount of pilot flight hours relate in any way to an…

Despite the May 2013 ruling in which a Washington State jury reached a 10-2 verdict in favor of Intuitive Surgical Inc. (ISI), manufacturer of the Da Vinci surgical robots, other problems with the devices are prompting other product liability lawsuits. In mid-May of 2013, ISI issued an urgent medical device notification stating that particular versions of its 2009 and 2010 cautery monopolar curved scissors may develop microscopic cracks. If cracked, the scissors could then leak…

As rescue workers and investigators continue to sift through the catastrophic wreckage of 72 tanker cars that derailed in the town of Lac-Megantic, Quebec, questions continue to be asked concerning potential legal actions that may result from this derailment and explosion. In the wake of the terrible tragedy that has claimed the lives of up to 60 people, Clifford Law Offices has been asked what laws and what courts will be available to those who…

Did you know that car accidents are the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 12 in the United States? Or that 80 percent of child safety seats in Illinois are installed incorrectly? (Source: National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, NHTSA) Combined, those two statistics are a recipe for deadly consequences in the event of a car accident. Fortunately, the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police District 15 (Downers Grove, IL) recognized this danger…

Officials in Canada are now saying that in addition to the 20 people confirmed killed in the rail explosion Sunday in Quebec, the 30 missing people are presumed dead in the inferno. As distraught families frantically try to find their loved ones, rescue teams reportedly have found it difficult to go through the rubble because of the intensity of the blast. Among those to blame experts are saying is U.S. based rail company, Montreal Maine…

In a defective product liability claim, it’s important to understand filing deadlines. In the state of Illinois, as in all other states, there are time limits on how long you have to file a defective product liability claim. These limits are referred to as the statute of limitations. What is the statute of limitations in Illinois? In the state of Illinois, you can file a claim for product liability within two years of the discovery…