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Legal Options for Survivors of Delta Air Lines Flight 4819 Crash in Toronto
Survivors of the February 17, 2025 crash of Delta Air Lines Flight 4819 from Minneapolis to Toronto who were injured may be entitled to compensation in Ontario under the Montreal Convention.
Flight 4819 crashed at Toronto Pearson International Airport during landing. The CRJ-900 aircraft violently struck the snowy runway and flipped over. The aircraft fuselage lost both wings and caused parts of the aircraft to erupt into flames. Fortunately, all 76 passengers and 4 crew members survived.
While the crash is still under federal investigation, heavy crosswinds and weather are said to be likely contributors to the incident.
The cause of the crash does not change whether the surviving passengers can bring an action against Delta Air Lines for compensation.
The personal injury lawyers at our firm, Preszler Injury Lawyers, are qualified to represent and assist plane crash survivors in their pursuit of fair compensation.
Our lawyers have won cases against some of the largest airlines in the world.
Delta Offers “No Strings Attached” Payments to All Flight 4819 Passengers
On February 19, 2025, multiple media outlets in Canada and the United States reported that Delta Airlines offered $30,000 US each to every passenger on board Flight 4819.
A Delta spokesperson announced that the offers come with “no strings attached” and will not affect passengers’ legal rights.
It is prudent to speak with an experienced aviation injury lawyer before accepting any compensation from an airline carrier.
Montreal Convention Protects Passengers who are Injured
Both the U.S. and Canada are signatories of the Montreal Convention. Formally known as the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air, the Montreal Convention lays out commercial airlines’ obligations to its passengers in case of crashes and other accidents on international flights.
Airlines are “strictly liable” for bodily injury if an accident occurs while a passenger is on the aircraft, or in the process of boarding or exiting the aircraft. Flight 4819 clearly fits this criterion.
As of December 28, 2024, an airline’s strict liability limit for death or bodily injury of a passenger is 151,880 in special drawing rights (SDR). SDR is a type of international currency based on the value of a basket of major currencies like the U.S. dollar and Euro, so its value in Canadian dollars changes daily. As of February 20, 2025, this amount of SDR is the same as roughly $280,000 CAD.
If an airline is found at fault, an injured passenger can claim beyond $280,000 CAD in compensation.
For example, if the investigation reveals the Delta pilot(s) were negligent in their decision to land in the conditions or the landing itself was negligent, each passenger could claim more than $280,000 CAD for pain and suffering, income loss, out-of-pocket expenses, and more.
Compensation under the Montreal Convention is not an automatic payment since injured parties must prove their damages. Simply being on the plane and surviving does not trigger compensation. This is why it is important to immediately speak with an aviation injury lawyer.
Call Us If You Were Injured in Delta Flight 4819 or Another Plane Accident
Our team of experienced aviation lawyers can help you navigate litigation against airlines. Our experienced aviation lawyers at Preszler Injury Lawyers can help eliminate the turbulence on the way to a fair settlement.
If you were hurt on Delta Flight 4819 or in another aviation accident, we encourage you to contact us for a free initial consultation.
Our firm works strictly on a contingency-fee basis. You pay nothing, unless we win.
Please call our 24/7 toll-free line at 1-888-608-2111 to make an appointment with us today.
