SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines ( SIA ) on Tuesday ( June 11 ) announced compensation offers , to the 211 passengers on the turbulence- hit SQ321 flight.  ,
One deceased and lots of wounded, some critically, were on the plane’s way from London to Singapore when it was forced into an emergency landing in Bangkok on May 21.
Passengers with “minor injuries” have been offered US$ 10, 000 ( S$ 13, 500 ). Those who experienced more severe injuries have been invited by SIA to further examine compensation options to fit their particular circumstances, and they will also be given an US$ 25, 000 advance payment for their urgent needs.  ,
CNA spoke to civic and aviation professionals, some of whom represent the SQ321 people, to answers questions raised by the event.
What are people ‘ right after an accident?
The Montreal Convention is the legal framework that most states adhere to when determining the liability of an aircraft to travellers.
Under the Convention, in the event of an injury resulting in injury or death, flights are” completely guilty” for the first 128, 821″ Special Drawing Rights”.
This refers to an international stockpile resource created by the International Monetary Fund that is being challenged in court, according to Seattle-based aviation law firm Robert Hedrick.  ,
Specific Drawing Rights of 128, 821 translates to about US$ 170, 000.  ,
” For problems in excess of that amount, if the air provider proves that it was not at fault, it is not liable for more”, said Mr Hedrick.  ,
Over 130 nations or states have agreed to abide by the convention’s rules and regulations. These include the United Kingdom where SQ321 departed, the jet’s unique location Singapore, and Thailand where it made an emergency landing.  ,
In accordance with the convention, passengers may record legal claims in either the state where the passenger lives and the carrier runs, or the country where the passenger lives and the airline runs.
It may make the most sense for people to file legal says in Singapore, according to Problems Lawyer Chooi Jing Yen from Singapore strong Eugene Thuraisingam, as opposed to Thailand or the UK.  ,
” A UK passenger could take matters to a UK court, but if SIA does n’t have any assets in the UK, they still have to bring the judgment to Singapore”, he said. ” Thailand is just the emergency landing place, and you may not want to litigate in Thai court, as they are run by a set of rules that ( passengers ) may not be familiar with” . ,
However, according to aviation compensation solicitor Peter Carter, who claimed to advise 13 SQ321 passengers from Australia and Singapore, the jurisdiction’s choice of control is dependent on the allegations being made.
According to the director of Carter Capner Law, a Brisbane-based law firm, one country may calculate compensation for permanent damage different.