Ladd C. Sanger Attorney

First Admitted: 1996, Texas

Professional Webpage: https://www.slackdavis.com/attorneys/ladd-sanger/

Bar/Professional Activity:

Member, American Association for Justice
American Bar Association, Chair, 2016–2017 Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section’s Aviation and Space Law Committee
Dallas Bar Association
American Association for Justice, Aviation Law Section and Aviation Newsletter
Member, Dallas Trial Lawyers Association
Member, Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Member of the Board of Advisors for the SMU Air Law Symposium
Member, Aviation Insurance Association
Member, Lawyer Pilot Bar Association
Graduate of the University of Southern California Aircraft Accident Investigation School
2016-2017 Chair of the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section’s Aviation and Space Law Committee, 2016

Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):

Incorrect Situational Awareness Results In International Crash Lawsuit, American Airlines Flight 331
Pilots Negligence In Following Established Procedures Results In Commercial Airplane Crash Lawsuit, American Connection 5966
Defective Beech Depressurization System Results In Private & Small Plane Crash Lawsuit, Hagerman, et al. v. Hawker Beechcraft Corp., et al.
Compressor Turbine Blade Fracture Results In Private And Small Plane Crash Lawsuit, Lee Odekirk, et al. v. Dallas Airmotive, Inc., et al.
In-Flight Fire Private & Small Plane Crash Lawsuit, Estate of Henry Jackson v. Fredericksburg Aviation
Improper Helicopter Maintenance Results In Helicopter Crash Lawsuit, Engler v. Turbomeca
Emergency Landing Injuries Results In Helicopter Tour Crash Lawsuit, Hicks v. Blue Hawaiian
Pilot’s Negligent Visual Approach Results In Private & Small Plane Crash Lawsuit, Estate of Robinett v. Estate of Kinikin
Helicopter Crash After Running Out Of Fuel Lawsuit, Swan & Cho v. Heligunner
Pilot Error Upon Landing Results In Private & Small Plane Crash Lawsuit, Swies v.
Incorrectly Modified Engine Results In Helicopter Crash Lawsuit, Denning v. Airbus Helicopters
Pilot’s Spatial Disorientation Results In Private & Small Plane Crash Lawsuit, Nicholson/Riola Estates v. Rico Aviation
International Crash Lawsuit In San Pedro, Belize, Dreyer, et al v. Tropic Air
Reno Air Race Disaster
Blocked Pitot Tubes Results In International Crash Lawsuit, Jacomo dos Santos Elias v. Air France, Thales Group and Airbus
Fargo Citation Crash
Helicopter Crash Due To Main Rotor Blade Delaminating, Rosario Pementel v. Helidosa Helicopteros Dominicanos S.A. and Robinson
Helicopter Tour Crash In Kauai, Hawaii, Torres v. McDonnell Douglas
Forced Landing Injuries Results In Helicopter Crash Lawsuit, Lamberson v. Bell Helicopters Textron, Inc. et al.
Helicopter Crash In Andes Mountains Of Peru, Helinka-Evergreen Air Crash
Engine Power Loss Results In Helicopter Crash Lawsuit, Summons v. Air Methods & American Eurocopter
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Results In General Aviation Lawsuit, Martinez v. Avco Corporation
Wing Separating From Plane Results In General Aviation Lawsuit, Alfieri v. Crash of Swearingen SA-266T-Merlin IIIB
Negligent Repair And Maintenance Results In General Aviation Lawsuit, Slette-Allen v. Beechcraft
Pilot Losing Control Of Airplane Results In General Aviation Lawsuit, Smith v. Nature Air
Negligent Air Traffic Controllers Results In General Aviation Lawsuit, Kipp v. United States of America
Helicopter Door Opening During Flight Results In General Aviation Lawsuit, Wight v. Robinson Helicopter
Improper Inspection And Maintenance Results In General Aviation Lawsuit, Sable v. Northstar Aviation
Pilot Settling With Power Results In General Aviation Lawsuit, McKean v. Cenac
Malfunctioning Hypoxia Detection System Results In General Aviation Lawsuit, Kinsinger (Estate of John) v. Cirrus and Garmin
Crash Caused By Spacial Disorientation Results In General Aviation Lawsuit, Hancock (Estate of David) v. MVAO, et. al
Turbulence Injuries Results In Montreal Convention Lawsuit, Khaligh, et al. v. Lufthansa
Injury Caused By Bus’ Automatic Doors Results In Montreal Convention Lawsuit, Taylor v. British Airways
Injuries Sustained From Turbulence Results In Montreal Convention Lawsuit, Belmar, Antonio v. American Airlines Flight 280
Injury From Luggage During Flight Results In Montreal Convention Lawsuit, Espinosa, Andres v. American Airlines
Wheelchair Ambulift Accident Results In Montreal Convention Lawsuit, Sherian and Mughal v. Emirates
FADEC Failure Leads To Military Aviation Lawsuit, Carter/McNair v. Rolls-Royce Corporation
Parts Manufacturer Negligence Results In Military Aviation Lawsuit, Kohl, et al. v. Triumph
Helicopter Crash Results In Active General Aviation Lawsuit, Stockbridge v. Heliservices
Defective Fuel Tank Results In Aviation Lawsuit, Nemec v. Robinson Helicopter
Improper Maneuver At Altitude Leads To General Aviation Lawsuit, Estate of Vincent Losada v. Pea Hochso, LLC
Ladd Sanger obtained a $5 million settlement on behalf of the family of James Kos and Dane Sheahen who were killed in a March 2016 plane crash, as a result of a defective experimental aircraft engine developed by Superior Air Parts, Inc. with a crankshaft forged by Ruhrtaler Gesenkschmiede F.W. Wengeler GmbH & Co. KG. Dane Sheahen was piloting the RV-8 aircraft he had built from a kit containing a Superior Air Parts XP-400 experimental aircraft engine that had recently been developed to serve the growing experimental aircraft market. During the March 12, 2016 flight, the engine’s crankshaft broke and caused the plane to lose power and crash, killing both occupants. “This engine and crankshaft had only been in operation 20 hours before the crankshaft suffered a fatigue failure which resulted in the crash,” said attorney Ladd Sanger. “There were no obvious metallurgical deficiencies in the crankshaft, therefore the failure was probably the result of detonation issues and unusual stresses caused by the Superior design.” According to Sanger, “Superior Air Parts failed to adequately test the engine design before releasing it to the market. Once in the field, Superior knew these engines were suffering premature failures yet the company was slow to react until this tragic crash occurred.” Shortly after the crash, Superior Air Parts announced a mandatory buyback of all XP-400 and XP-382 engines the company had sold. Superior Air Parts, Inc. and Ruhrtaler Gesenkschmiede F.W. Wengeler GmbH & Co. KG. agreed to a settlement and the surviving family members of James Kos and Dane Sheahen will receive net compensation totaling $3,061 million. Co-counsel working with Ladd Sanger on the case included Kevin Boyle of Panish, Shea & Boyle and Joe Bosco of LaRose & Bosco., 2020

Videos:

Ladd Sanger Bio

Special Licenses/Certifications:

FAA licensed Airline Transport Pilot with a jet type rating
Licensed helicopter pilot

Honors/Awards:

AV® Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Rising Stars, 2004-2007, Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers, 2008-present, Super Lawyers
Top Aviation Verdict in Texas in 2019, Recognition
Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year award, 2023, Award
Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year, Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs (Dallas/FortWorth, TX), 2024, Recognition
Top 50 Verdicts, 2019 and 2022, Texas Award
Selected for the "Best Lawyers in Dallas" list., Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine, 2017

Educational Background:

B.B.A. from Southern Methodist University

Scholarly Lectures/Writings:

An article about personal jurisdiction., The Shifting Sands of Personal Jurisdiction, Published in Texas Lawyer, 2017
"Will the General Aviation Revitalization Act Allow the Industry to Fly High Again?" (Oklahoma City University Law Review, 1995)
"Failure to Warn: The Difference Between Strict Liability and Negligence from a Plaintiff’s Perspective" (The Air & Space Lawyer, Winter 1999)
Drones are in the news, but what do they mean for lawyers? From FAA regulations to the risk of uninsured liability for crashes to invasion of privacy lawsuits, attorneys need to understand this new world of readily available, unpiloted aircraft., UAS: A New Legal Frontier in Aviation, Published in Texas Lawyer, 2014
A description of how thorough investigation, solid legal research, and careful planning will help any lawyer navigate the minefield of helicopter crash litigation., Your First Helicopter Crash Case, published in Trial magazine, 2010
An article about notable decisions involving Texas aviation law in 2009., Aviation Cases Address Pre-Emption, Jurisdictional Matters, as published in Texas Lawyer, 2009
A paper and discussion about the many mechanics, aviation maintenance facilities, pilots and aircraft operators that do not have a adequate insurance or assets to satisfy a judgement against them., Mandatory Aviation Insurance: A Domestic and International Perspective, presented to the American Association for Justice, 2008
A brief summary of the provisions of the Montreal Convention and the protection it offers international travelers, Litigating Accidents and Injuries Under the Montreal Convention, published in Texas Lawyer, 2007

Industry Groups:

Aviation

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