Parker Hannifin settles during appeal claims filed in wake of SilkAir crash

Client(s) Parker Hannifin Corporation

Parker Hannifin Corporation retained Jones Day to handle post-trial motions, damages trials, and appeals following an adverse verdict in cases arising out of the December 1997 crash of SilkAir 185. The SilkAir plane, a Boeing 737 jet, crashed during its flight from Jakarta to Singapore, killing all 104 people on board. Family members of the decedent sued among other defendants, Parker Hannifin, alleging that the crash was caused by a defective rudder control system manufactured by Parker Hannifin. With separate counsel, the case went to trial in June 2004, and the jury returned a $43.6 million verdict against Parker Hannifin alone (the other defendants settled prior to trial).

Following the multimillion dollar verdict, Jones Day was retained by Parker Hannifin to handle post-trial motions on a myriad of issues. The case was settled while in appeal.

Junitha Bee, et al. v. Kavlico Corp., et al., No. BC 202587 (Cal. Super. Ct. L.A. County)