When a plane or helicopter goes down, the truth is buried in flight data, maintenance logs, and a federal investigation that moves fast. A Fort Lauderdale aviation accident lawyer who knows how those records work can protect your family while the wreckage still tells the story.
If you are reading this after a crash, you are likely dealing with a federal investigation, an insurance company, and an aircraft owner all at once. A Fort Lauderdale aviation accident lawyer steps into that gap for you. These cases turn on records most families never see — the flight data, the engine maintenance history, the pilot's logbook, the parts that were last replaced and by whom. Robert DiStefano helps you find out what actually happened and who is responsible.
Aviation claims are governed by federal rules, not the ordinary Florida traffic code. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) writes the safety regulations every aircraft and pilot must follow — you will see them referenced as Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 C.F.R.). After a serious crash, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) takes the lead on figuring out the cause. What that investigation finds — and what it leaves out — can shape your case for years.
Liability rarely stops with the pilot. Depending on what went wrong, the people who can be held accountable may include the charter or air-tour company, the owner who leased the aircraft, the shop that performed the last inspection, or the manufacturer of a component that failed. We build the case toward every responsible party — not just the easiest one to name.
The wreckage tells the truth. Our job is to read it before it is moved, repaired, or quietly written off.
Aviation cases mix federal regulation with Florida injury law. Here is the framework that matters most, in plain terms.
14 C.F.R. (FAA regulations)
The FAA sets the standards for how aircraft are flown, inspected, and maintained. A violation of an FAA regulation — a skipped inspection, an unqualified pilot, an overloaded aircraft — is powerful evidence of negligence. Charter and air-tour operators fly under stricter rules (Part 135) than private pilots (Part 91), and proving which rules applied is often the first fight.
NTSB investigation · 49 C.F.R. Part 831
The NTSB investigates significant civil aviation crashes and issues a probable-cause finding. That report is detailed, but federal law limits how its conclusions can be used in court, and the agency does not work for your family. We gather the underlying factual data — radar, wreckage, and records — and build an independent case rather than waiting on a government file.
General Aviation Revitalization Act · 49 U.S.C. § 40101 note
For general-aviation aircraft, the General Aviation Revitalization Act (GARA) creates an 18-year repose that can bar claims against a manufacturer once a part or aircraft has been in service that long. There are real exceptions — a fresh part or a misrepresentation can restart the clock. Knowing how GARA applies to your specific aircraft can decide whether a claim against the maker survives.
Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(a) amended 2023
For the negligence side of an aviation case brought under Florida law, the statute of limitations is now two years from the date of the crash for injuries occurring after March 24, 2023. Wrongful-death claims and federal claims carry their own separate deadlines. Miss the wrong one and the case is gone — which is why early review matters so much in aviation matters.
This page provides general information about Florida law and is not legal advice. Statutes and case law change; your specific case requires a consultation.
Broward is full of aviation activity, and not all of it is the big jets you picture. Charter flights, flight schools, banner-tow planes, and private aircraft fly out of fields all over the county every day. When something goes wrong, knowing the local airport and the operators based there is part of the work.
You will not be passed to a call center or a rotating cast of associates. Robert DiStefano has practiced Florida personal-injury law for more than 40 years, and he is the attorney who reviews your case, talks through the federal record with you, and brings in the right aviation and engineering experts when a case calls for them. Read more about Robert's background.
We take aviation injury cases on contingency — no fee unless we recover for you. Your case review is free, confidential, and we respond the same day. There is no charge to find out where you stand.
We move fast to secure the wreckage, maintenance logs, and flight records before they can be moved, repaired, or lost — the single most important step in an air-crash case.
Pilot, operator, owner, maintenance shop, or component maker — we trace the chain of fault through the federal record and bring in aviation experts to read it.
We handle the insurers and opposing parties, account for every federal and Florida deadline, and push for the full recovery your family is owed.
Aviation crashes are one part of our specialty-accident work. We also handle maritime and boating injury claims and tire and product-defect cases, which share the same evidence-preservation playbook.
★★★★★
“The best lawyer in South Florida. Thank you DiStefano for all the hard work that you and your team have done to get me amazing results.”
Taravia Google
★★★★★
“I had a wonderful experience with Robert! He fought hard for me and kept me in the loop the whole time. The whole office is just great!”
Paulavia Google
★★★★★
“Mr. DiStefano is the best! Kept me up to date with everything, and his paralegal Michelle also kept us informed. Happy with my settlement — I highly recommend him.”
Stacy Leevia Google
Air-crash evidence disappears fast. Call now or send us a note about what happened for a free, confidential case review — no fee unless we recover for you.
(954) 572-8000