Latest news with #CarterCapnerLaw
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Scoop
Singapore Airlines Victims Suffering One Year After Tragedy - $1m Plus Payouts Expected
On May 21, 2024, Singapore Airlines Flight 321 carrying many Australians, while flying between London and Singapore hit what the airline labelled at the time 'clear air turbulence' over Myanmar, injuring more than 70 people and killing one. One year later, an Australian law firm with extensive expertise in passenger compensation for aviation accidents has revealed it is still conducting medical evaluations for passengers to determine the extent of their various injuries. Director of Carter Capner Law Peter Carter, who is also a former president of the Aviation Law Association, said the firm was acting for 11 passengers but is also investigating claims for many others who have no physical injury but have experienced significant psychological trauma. 'Many of our clients exhibit PTSD symptoms as a result of this terrifying mid-air experience. 'They thought they were going to die,' he said. Mr Carter explained that there is no compensation available for PTSD unless it can be demonstrated it has caused some physical change in the passenger. 'To this end, our medical experts are utilising leading-edge brain scanning techniques to image brain abnormalities. 'We are optimistic to also be able to recover substantial damages for PTSD injuries for affected passengers including those who have no other physical injuries.' The firm expects to present compensation demands to the airline's insurers by September, with Mr Carter believing that many passengers will receive awards for damages 'well in excess of US$1 million.' If Singapore Airlines proves it had no part to play in the accident, its liability for proven losses for each passenger will be limited to US$180,000. However Mr Carter said his firm's belief after an in-depth investigation is that the pilots likely encountered a thunderstorm at too close proximity as it passed over an area notorious for thunderstorm activity in the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone. 'Other planes took evasive action and changed direction, yet Flight SQ321 headed directly through the suspect area.' He said the interim report confirms that the G-forces applied to passengers' bodies – including a drop in vertical acceleration from +1.35G to -1.5G - was sufficient to cause serious injury even to passengers restrained by a seat belt. The final accident report from the Singaporean Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) is expected to be released mid-year.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Yahoo
Warning over major danger at Aussie-favourite travel hotspot: 'Think twice'
It's one of our closest allies, both geographically and strategically, and a hugely popular travel hotspot among Australians. But, experts are warning that travelling to New Zealand could come with an unexpected and "little-known" consequence should you become injured while you're there. Director of Carter Capner Law, Peter Carter, said unlike Australia, and "most other developed countries", people holidaying in New Zealand can't access compensation for injuries even if the accident is the fault of someone else. Speaking to Yahoo News, Carter described the nation as a "liability-free zone" for foreigners. He said "if you get injured, you're better off staying there" and never leaving. "They've got no recourse against the careless or reckless person that causes their injury," Carter told Yahoo. It's all to do with New Zealand's Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) scheme, which is a unique no-fault compensation system that has been in place since the 1970s. Under this system, injured individuals—regardless of how or where the injury occurred—are covered by ACC, which provides financial support for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lost wages. However, in exchange for this universal coverage, people cannot sue for personal injury compensation, even if their injury was caused by someone else's recklessness or negligence. Carter said it means legal action for damages against individuals or their insurers is prohibited. "[This includes] road accidents, recreational accidents, light aircraft accidents, any type of accident you can think of, where someone makes a mistake and someone is careless," he said. "No one thinks that serious injury is going to happen to them, but they should. They really need to think twice." Call for e-bike ban after pregnant Aussie mowed down in city Tourist's horror boat injury highlights 'common' travel issue Aussie family's Bali nightmare amid disease outbreak Carter cited the example of a Queensland woman who suffered serious spinal injuries when a speeding car crossed on to the wrong side of the road and collided with her head-on. She fought the New Zealand legal system for eight years but ultimately lost. "Australia's health system will cover you for some medical expenses on your return but you are on your own if you can't return to full time work," he said, urging all travellers to New Zealand to take out income protection insurance before they travel. "But even that has some limitations as well," Carter said. While New Zealand's ACC covers treatment costs, it does not compensate for emotional distress, ongoing pain, or punitive damages. For Australians used to the option of suing for significant payouts in personal injury cases, this can be a major adjustment. More than one million Australians visited New Zealand in 2024. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
