Compensation for plane crash victims

An airplane crash is one of the most devastating tragedies a person can face. To protect passengers and their families, airlines are required by law to carry civil liability insurance.

In the event of an aviation accident, insurance companies must pay compensation to victims and families of the deceased.

However, in practice, obtaining full and fair compensation often requires the passenger or their relatives to prove the extent of damage. That is why, to succeed in such a claim, it is crucial to involve experienced aviation lawyers, such as the team at DTK Partners.

Liability and Compensation

Responsibility for an air crash may lie with:

  • the airline, under mandatory passenger liability insurance;

  • the aircraft manufacturer, if the crash was caused by a technical malfunction or design defect.

Under the Russian Air Code, victims and their families are entitled to compensation for moral and material damage. The amount and procedure depend on the type of flight — domestic or international.

Domestic Flights

Compensation is regulated by:

  • the Russian Air Code;

  • Government Decree No. 1164 (2012);

  • the Russian Civil Code.

Relatives of deceased passengers are entitled to:

  • a mandatory insurance payment of 2,000,000 RUB;

  • compensation for baggage and personal belongings — 600 RUB/kg (up to 11,000 RUB);

  • reimbursement of funeral expenses;

  • support payments to dependents (parents, children, disabled family members);

  • moral damages.

International Flights

Compensation is governed by:

  • the Warsaw Convention;

  • the Montreal Convention (ratified by Russia in August 2017).

Under the Montreal Convention, compensation up to 113,100 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) is paid without the need to prove damages. This amount is considered guaranteed in the event of death.

If the damage exceeds that limit, families may claim additional compensation, provided they prove the actual loss and the airline fails to prove it was not at fault.

As of December 2019, the exchange rate for 1 SDR was 85.13 RUB. Thus, compensation may exceed 9 million rubles.

Legal Services for Air Crash Compensation

A qualified aviation lawyer provides the following services:

  • initial consultation on passenger rights and insurance;

  • assistance with document collection;

  • negotiations with the airline and insurer;

  • drafting and review of settlement agreements;

  • full representation in court;

  • control of enforcement of court decisions.

The lawyers at DTK Partners have extensive experience in handling both individual claims and class actions involving air crash victims.

Why Airlines Undervalue Compensation

One of the main reasons families turn to a lawyer is the undervaluation of compensation by airlines and insurers.

An aircraft is a high-risk mode of transport, and liability insurance is mandatory. However, in reality, airlines often seek to minimize payouts to preserve their finances.

Aircrafts may carry more than 400 passengers. The total potential payout in case of a crash can seriously affect an airline’s budget. As a result, they offer reduced settlement amounts and try to limit their liability.

Insurance companies work with experienced legal teams that represent only their interests. For families of victims, it is essential to have independent legal protection.

Why Families Need an Experienced Aviation Lawyer

Families of deceased passengers often find themselves vulnerable and overwhelmed. In a time of grief and confusion, it is difficult to understand legal options or evaluate possible compensation.

This is especially important if:

  • the crash occurred outside Russia;

  • the airline is registered in another country.

Victims’ families may not know:

  • what their legal rights are;

  • what level of compensation they are entitled to;

  • how to initiate court proceedings, locally or abroad;

  • how to file a class action;

  • how to negotiate with an insurer or airline.

Airlines and insurers take advantage of this lack of awareness. In the early stages, they often offer small payouts and push families to sign a settlement agreement, waiving future claims.

Without legal support, families may accept the first offer, which is rarely fair or adequate. That is why it is crucial to contact an aviation law specialist early, to protect your rights and secure fair compensation.

How DTK Partners Can Help

The legal team at DTK Partners has many years of experience representing victims of air crashes. We work with clients in Russia and internationally.

We have handled cases involving:

  • Aeroflot Nord;

  • UTair;

  • Tatarstan Airlines;

  • Kogalymavia;

  • FlyDubai;

  • Air France;

  • Ethiopian Airlines;
    and many other high-profile incidents.

We help our clients obtain lawful compensation, defend their rights, and provide professional legal protection at every stage — from consultation to court enforcement.