Tampa Pilot Intoxication Lawyers
Flying an airplane is a highly complex job requiring intense focus and years of training. Whether a person is manning a small private aircraft or a commercial jet, he or she can put the lives of numerous innocent people in danger through acts of reckless behavior. Considering these facts, it is appalling that anyone would operate a plane while under the influence of drugs or alcohol – and yet it does happen.
If you or a loved one has been injured because a pilot or flight crew member was performing his or her job while intoxicated, you may have grounds for legal action. The Tampa flight crew intoxication attorneys of Beltz & Ruth, P.A. can help you in your fight for justice. Call our offices today at 800-235-8978.
Pilot Intoxication and the Law
For the safety of passengers and people on the ground, federal law prohibits pilots and their supporting staff members from:
- Boarding a plane with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .04 or above
- Consuming any alcohol within eight hours of reporting for duty
- Operating aircraft under the influence of any drugs, even legal drugs that may affect performance
Many airlines enforce even stricter policies for the safety of their customers and employees. A pilot who violates these laws can face criminal and civil penalties. To learn about the civil lawsuits that victims of intoxicated pilots can file, contact an experienced Tampa pilot intoxication attorney.
An Airline’s Responsibility
Federal law also holds commercial airlines partially responsible for preventing intoxicated flying. For jobs that are considered safety-sensitive, such as flight crews and air traffic controllers, airlines are expected to administer drug and alcohol testing at the following times:
- When hiring a new employee
- If there is reason to suspect drug or alcohol use
- After a plane accident
- At random
- Up rehiring a worker who has been suspended
When they fail to take such reasonable measurements, airlines can become the targets of legal action, in addition to their negligent employees.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has been hurt by a reckless airline employee, the Tampa intoxicated pilot injury lawyers of Beltz & Ruth, P.A. can help. Contact us at 800-235-8978 to learn more about your legal options.