MH17 compensation may cost Malaysian Airlines $1 bn

Airlines may find it difficult to prove that it took all necessary steps to avoid the accident

A top aviation lawyer has reportedly said that Malaysian Airlines may be liable to pay compensation up to one billion dollars over the MH17 disaster.

According to News.com.au, the victims' families have strong legal grounds on which they can seek damages, said International aviation accident attorney Floyd Wisner.

The lawyer said that Malaysian Airlines would find it difficult to deny its negligence over MH17 unless it proves that it took all necessary steps to avoid the accident, which would be difficult because the aircraft was flying over a dangerous area held by rebels in conflict-torn Ukraine.

The report quoted Wisner as saying that each victim's family is likely to receive 750,000 dollars approximately and if combined with the loss of the plane, the liability could reach one billion dollars.

The crash claimed the lives of all 298 people on board and was the second accident within a year for the airline. Earlier, flight MH370 disappeared on March 8 with 227 passengers and 12 crew members on board and has not been located yet.