Law: Showdown in Sue City

Lawyers race to file suits following the United DC-10 crash

Philip Corboy doesn't need to chase ambulances. They seem to chase him. Just one day after the July 19 crash of United Airlines Flight 232 in Sioux City, Iowa, the white-thatched, patrician-looking Chicago attorney was asked for legal help by the family of one of the survivors. Within 24 hours, Corboy had filed the first lawsuit to come out of the disaster. Since then, he has received calls from twelve other people involved in the crash. His fee, if he wins: as much as one-third of the damages.

Corboy's lawsuit was the first volley in what promises to be a high-stakes...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!