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He argues the company is liable because it chose to fly out of Tehran just a few hours after Iran fired ballistic missiles at U.S. military bases in neighbouring Iraq, and in the midst of fever-pitch tensions with the Americans.

“The Iranians had no idea at that point if the Americans were going to retaliate quickly. Why would any airline fly?” said the lawyer. “That plane should never have taken off.”

Miller, who represented passengers from the 2005 Air France crash-landing in Toronto and other air mishaps, is working with Vancouver lawyer Joe Fiorante, a specialist in aviation-related personal-injury litigation.

But the Toronto lawyer said the extraordinary circumstances and Iran’s lack of diplomatic relations with Canada would make this case unlike any he’s handled.

He admitted that some will see the firms’ actions as exploitive, but said it’s important that victim families who want to sue use lawyers with experience in the area.

“This is the worst part of the job, I know it makes us look like vultures. That’s why we’re not going out to vigils and handing out cards, and we’re not going out and organizing a meeting,” said Miller. “I get the idea that it’s ambulance chasing. But here’s the reality – these families deserve compensation.”

You want justice at the end of the day

The relative of one of the victims, who asked not to be named to avoid repercussions for family in Iran, said it’s actually reassuring that lawyers are primed to work on the case.

“You want justice at the end of the day, for sure,” said the Toronto resident.