Wonkblog: Total liability in MH17 crash could climb to $1 billion

The question of liability in an accident 33,000 feet in the air can be dizzying--especially when the crash is the result of a violent conflict between two countries. In the aftermath of the plane crash that killed all 298 passengers aboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 this past Thursday, the victims' families and their respective countries will likely seek millions of dollars in reparations. Initial mandatory payouts are virtually guaranteed to approach $50 million, according to estimates from ...