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AIG Dodges Insurance Claims from Hudson Flight

Insurer accused of using goodwill towards flight crew to dodge paying up

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 12, 2009 1:22 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Passengers from US Airways Flight 1549 are having a tough time getting its insurer, AIG, to cough up for claims, the New York Times reports. Aviation liability insurance requires a finding of negligence. But Capt. Chesley Sullenberger and his crew were universally acknowledged to have performed amazingly well in saving all passengers, and the insurer is using that to dodge payments to those who suffered losses or injuries.

Each passenger received a check for $5,000 after the crash, but some lost expensive electronic equipment worth much more than that. Others still traumatized by the crash have found that AIG is willing to pay for just three therapy sessions. "I wish I had a hammer to get them to do the right thing," said an aviation lawyer acting for some of the passengers.  "They’re riding a wave of feel-good opinion about how well the flight crew handled the bird strike."

Passengers wait to be rescued on the wings of US Airways Flight 1549. Some passengers injured in the crash or traumatized by the experience have found AIG unwilling to pay out on insurance claims.
Passengers wait to be rescued on the wings of US Airways Flight 1549. Some passengers injured in the crash or traumatized by the experience have found AIG unwilling to pay out on insurance claims.   (AP Photo/Steven Day)
US Airways Capt. ChesleySullenberger waits to testify on Capitol Hill about the crash of Flight 1549.
US Airways Capt. ChesleySullenberger waits to testify on Capitol Hill about the crash of Flight 1549.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, file)
Passengers in an inflatable raft move away from from Flight 1549 after it landed in the Hudson River in New York early this year.
Passengers in an inflatable raft move away from from Flight 1549 after it landed in the Hudson River in New York early this year.   (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews )
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
leialemon
Jun 12, 2009 7:29 AM CDT
laptops, camera gear, cell phones. People have many electronics on them, especially photojournalists/photographers.
psycada
Jun 12, 2009 5:24 AM CDT
A high end laptop for video editing and a single HD camera, plus cables and accessories. I could easily see someone bringing that on a plane. Need any more examples, or can you give people the benefit of the doubt?
Fondue
Jun 12, 2009 4:30 AM CDT
What electronic could someone be caring worth over 5K?

Sullenberger testifies at NTSB hearing on Hudson crash
Los Angeles Times

US • Money

 
insurance companies • US Airways • insurance • aviation • Hudson River • liability • Chesley Sullenberger • Flight 1549 • Hudson crash

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