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Airline's Total Payout Was $125 Million to $175 Million

Posted on: Monday, 1 August 2005, 15:00 CDT

Jul. 31--The lawsuits ended in 1997.

That was when the last case was settled in Tarrant County, closing the books on the legal issues against Delta Air Lines stemming from the Aug. 2, 1985, crash of Delta Flight 191 at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.

Delta has never admitted any liability in the crash, which killed 137 people and injured 26. In 1989, a federal judge in Fort Worth decided that the crash was caused by the flight crew's decision to land during a thunderstorm.

The airline settled or went to trial in 182 claims and 115 lawsuits, with a total payout of between $125 million and $175 million, according to court documents.

The final lawsuit had been filed by Terry Ford, the husband of Kathy Ford, who survived the crash but suffered severe brain damage and died in December 1995 at age 46.

"It was tough for all of us," said Carol Christy Shaw of Fort Worth, Kathy Ford's sister. "I just remember that those were very sad times."

Delta paid Kathy Ford $15 million for her injuries and medical expenses, but lawsuits by her husband and children sought damages for loss of companionship. The details of the financial settlement were not released.

"It was extremely difficult for the children," said Dwain Dent of Fort Worth, the children's attorney. "But it worked out in the end for them."

Statements from Delta, D/FW Airport

-- Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines declined to comment for the 20th anniversary coverage of the Flight 191 crash.

But spokesman Anthony Black offered this prepared statement:

"While we have no specific plans for the day, our thoughts go out to the families and friends of the passengers and crew members who perished in the tragedy of Flight 191, and to those passengers and crew members who were fortunate enough to survive the accident."

-- Dallas/Fort Worth Airport spokesman Ken Capps said:

"Delta 191 was a tragic day for our airport, our community, and the friends and families of its passengers. All who were affected by the events of Aug. 2 will be in our thoughts. D/FW and indeed the aviation world learned much from that day that still benefits millions of air travelers every year. That is the best tribute that can be paid to that flight's memory."

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To see more of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.dfw.com.

Copyright (c) 2005, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail reprints@krtinfo.com.

DAL,

Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, Texas)

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