Drone Operator Fined by FAA

April 19, 2014 in Articles | MARTIN WREN, P.C. | LEAVE A COMMENT

Virginia Business Lawyers

In local business litigation cases, Virginia business litigation attorneys look at some very interesting cases of outside parties trying to impose costs on an enterprise. There is a fine line between the actual risks and liabilities that business operations generate, and other charges that may be effectively countered and dismissed in court.

An interesting example of a case against a local business was reported on in the Daily Progress March 6, where federal courts dismissed a legal challenge from the Federal Aviation Administration after marketers who used a drone to record aerial footage over Charlottesville’s UVA Medical Center.

FAA Charges

In this case, reports specify that the FAA imposed a $10,000 fine on the drone’s operators, charging that the operator flew without a pilot certificate and flew in “a careless or reckless manner.”

Interestingly, the agency produced actual instances of recklessness in the report, which included proximity to campus infrastructure and pedestrians, as well as intrusion into the airspace around the hospital’s helicopter landing port.

Professional Virginia business litigation attorneys can also take cues from the findings in this case, which involved an assertion by the National Transportation Safety Board that the FAA does not currently have “enforceable regulations” on certain types of remotely controlled aerial vehicles, often called “unmanned aerial vehicles,” or UAVs. This is a big issue, because these vehicles are actually being operated all over the country, and need to be regulated in some way. However, the local business in question was able to avoid liability through the use of competent legal counsel and a willingness to go through court procedures to clear its name.

Business Liability Counsel in Virginia

Virginia businesses benefit from securing competent and qualified legal representation when they encounter charges from local governments, federal regulators or any other parties. Some businesses keep counsel on retainer, and some shop for this kind of representation as needed.

The sorts of challenges presented above are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to anticipating business liability. Some common categories of business litigation are related to the “everyday activities” of business operations, where others stem from new projects, special events or other relatively uncharted waters. Either way, businesses that have an imposed system of insurance coverage and competent counsel can shield themselves from sudden legal problems.

In Charlottesville and around the state of Virginia, businesses can get help from experienced Virginia business litigation attorneys from the offices of MartinWren, P.C. At MartinWren, P.C., our lawyers have helped many businesses to handle risk and challenge legal liability. Call us at (434) 817-3100 to let us help your enterprise keep a reputation for excellence and handle anything that comes your way.

Contact Our Virginia Lawyers

We serve clients throughout Virginia — from Charlottesville and Central Virginia to metropolitan Richmond; Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley to Roanoke; and the cities of Hampton Roads to the Northern Virginia cities of  Fairfax, Alexandria and Arlington.

To speak with one of our attorneys, please call us at (434) 817-3100.

Our Virginia personal injury lawyers at MartinWren, P.C. have a statewide practice and offer free consultations at a time and location that is convenient for you.  We will gladly meet with you at your home or at the hospital, even on nights and weekends.

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