STATE BAR RESPONDS TO CONTINENTAL AIRLINES PLANE
CRASH NEAR BUFFALO
Association’s Mass Disaster Response
Committee Providing Assistance to Federal, State and Local Authorities,
Emergency Response Teams
In the wake of last night’s plane crash of Continental Airlines
Flight 3407 just outside of Buffalo, members of the New York State Bar
Association’s Mass Disaster Response Committee are working with
federal, state and local authorities, as well as emergency response
personnel, to provide disaster assistance to the families.
Members of the committee also are working to provide important
information at the assistance center that is being set up for the
families of the crash victims. Among the types of legal support
the committee is providing include distributing pamphlets that explain
basic legal rights and supplying any other information needed by the
crash victims’ families.
Bernice Leber (Arent Fox LLP), President of the New York State Bar
Association, said: “Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to
the friends and families affected by this horrible tragedy. I want
to commend all of the members of the Mass Disaster Response Committee
for their outstanding efforts and quick response in ensuring that the
families involved in this terrible accident receive the help and support
they need.
“At the same time, we must remember the importance of respecting
the privacy of the families of these crash victims. Accordingly, I
would like to remind all members of the legal community that existing
federal law precludes attorneys from having any unwanted communications
relating to possible lawsuits or claims with air crash victims’
families within 45 days of the incident. In addition, both the
current Code of Professional Responsibility, as well as the new Rules of
Professional Conduct that become effective on April 1, provide that
attorneys must refrain from solicitation for 30 days.”
Members of the Mass Disaster Response Committee will be on-hand at
the assistance center to answer any questions that the victims’
family members may have and to provide additional information in the
event family members are solicited by attorneys. Continental
Airlines is providing a hotline number for the family and friends of
crash victims at 1-800-621-3263.
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