Nine people were killed in a helicopter crash on March 29, 2023 during a training mission near Fort Campbell military base in Kentucky. It’s not clear what caused the crash, which involved the 101st Airborne Division. An investigation is underway, but as of now, we know that the incident involved two HH60 Blackhawk helicopters that crashed during “a routine training mission,” according to U.S. Army officials.
Questions have been asked as to whether the helicopters had crashed into each other, but the military replied that it was “unable to confirm specifics at this time.” This is a fairly typical response from government agencies right after a tragic accident. However, we will be keeping a close eye on this story, as the exact cause of the crash can have serious implications for the U.S. Army, as well as other entities that may be blamed for the deaths of 9 innocent people.
These incidents are a somber reminder of the sacrifices that are made by military members on a daily basis, even during training missions that are thoroughly planned and monitored. Furthermore, it is an example of how helicopter crashes can lead to devastating injuries, including death, for all those on board. Bystanders in the area may be harmed or killed as well from debris that falls off the aircraft, or from the helicopter crashing on to the ground.
Have you lost a loved one to the military helicopter crash in Kentucky or any other accident involving an aircraft? In these situations, it’s essential to understand your legal rights, which may include a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible parties. Our lawyers can advise you of your legal options and bring you justice for the untimely loss of your spouse or family member. For a free consultation with a wrongful death compensation lawyer, contact Normandie Law Firm.
What is a Wrongful Death?
Tragedies like helicopter crashes happen for many reasons, and some of these issues cannot be blamed on anyone in particular. However, most accidents can be traced to a dangerous condition, such as lack of maintenance, a defective part, or insufficient training / safety precautions. These are all examples of negligence and misconduct, which are the elements of a wrongful death case. In other words, the person’s death occurred due to another party’s failure to act in a safe and reasonable manner.
There are many different circumstances that can support a wrongful death lawsuit, but each state has its own criteria for these cases. Understanding the laws and the procedures that are involved requires guidance from an attorney that’s experienced in wrongful death compensation claims. To schedule a free case review with one of our legal experts, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Who is Responsible for a Helicopter Crash?
This is the most important question we will need to answer in order to initiate a wrongful death case for a helicopter crash. In the recent case near Fort Campbell military base, it’s likely that the military is responsible, as the crash occurred during a training session. Insufficient training, poor planning, and failure to maintain the helicopters or follow safety protocols are all possible causes for why the accident occurred.
Then again, aviation crashes can be caused by other entities, like the helicopter manufacturer. We know for a fact that design flaws and mechanical defects are often to blame for deaths and severe injuries from a helicopter accident. Problems with the engine, cheap hardware / components, and defective safety features can all lead to a fatal accident for those on board a helicopter.
Proving who is liable for a wrongful death requires a thorough examination of all the available evidence, which will come to light in the upcoming weeks and months. However, interpreting this evidence and applying it to a successful wrongful death claim will be difficult without assistance from a knowledgeable attorney. We can provide you with the advice and representation you need, so call us right away to schedule a free case evaluation
Available Compensation for Surviving Family Members
A lawsuit for wrongful death is meant to compensate you for the various losses you are left with from losing a loved one. The specific payments you can receive depend on circumstances that are unique to the decedent and their role in your life. For example, here are the damages that most of our clients receive from a wrongful death lawsuit:
- Funeral expenses
- Cost of medical treatments
- Loss of financial contributions (current and future)
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Legal fees
Do I Need a Lawyer to File a Wrongful Death Claim?
Technically, you can choose to represent yourself as the surviving family member or loved one of someone that died in a helicopter crash. But there are many downsides to representing yourself, as the laws involving a wrongful death claim are very complicated. On top of that, you may have multiple parties that you can go after, including the U.S. military. The legal procedures, filing deadlines, etc., are different for lawsuits against private entities versus federal agencies, and this can lead to all sorts of mistakes during the claims process.
In addition, you are likely to face stiff resistance from the U.S. Army every step of the way, as they are notorious for concealing information when they may be responsible for a tragic accident. Without an experienced and aggressive lawyer, most claimants find it impossible to get anywhere with a wrongful death case. That’s why legal representation is strongly recommended, which you can obtain immediately by contacting our law firm.
Average Settlement for a Case of Wrongful Death
Settlements for a helicopter crash wrongful death claim are generally in the 6 to 7 figure range, starting at around $500,000. The majority of cases we handle exceed $1 million, and sometimes over $5 million based on factors such as the age of the decedent, their salary prior to their death, and the plaintiff’s level of emotional suffering.
Keep in mind that these cases are not just about your current losses due to your loved one’s passing. There are future earnings, benefits, love and support, and various other losses that have to be accounted for. These amounts can be significant if your loved one was, for example, the main breadwinner in the family or had multiple dependents that relied on them for financial and emotional support. These and many other issues need to be examined in order to calculate a suitable payment amount.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
The statute of limitations, or the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit, can be quite complicated in cases that involve a government agency. In general, compensation claims against the government must be filed within 6 months of the accident date or the date of death. There are limited circumstances which would allow you to seek an extension from the court, but most claimants will not meet the requirements for an extension. On the other hand, lawsuits against private entities, like a product manufacturer, typically have a 2-year statute of limitations.
As you can see, it can be challenging to balance the different deadlines and ensure that your paperwork is filed in a timely manner. That’s why we urge you to contact us right away, so that we can begin the process of investigating your loved one’s accident and taking the necessary actions to initiate a claim.
Estimated Timeframe to Settle a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Some of these cases are settled relatively quickly – perhaps within 4 to 6 months. However, it’s worth noting that cases involving the U.S. military are extremely complex legal actions. The investigation process that’s involved can take longer than the average wrongful death case, as government agencies are slow to release information and make it easily accessible. Even if your case doesn’t go to trial, achieving a settlement award can take two or more years, depending on the complications we will need to resolve. A lawyer experienced in wrongful death cases can explain the legal process to you in more detail during a free consultation. Please give us a call to schedule a meeting with one of our attorneys.
We Offer Free Legal Services
There is no justice in making a victim pay for the cost of hiring an attorney, which is a principle that has guided us from day one here at Normandie Law Firm. That’s why we provide all wrongful death claimants with free legal services, starting from the initial consultation. During this time, we will educate you on your rights and legal options, and go over the actions we can take on your behalf. If you decide that a lawsuit is in your best interest, you can count on us to fight for the settlement you are entitled to by law.
All legal fees are paid by the party you are suing, which means we don’t make a cent unless you receive payment. What happens in the event we don’t win your case? We eat the costs, and you walk away with no responsibility for our expenses. That’s a promise to you under the Zero Fee Guarantee, since we don’t believe in getting paid without securing the compensation you deserve.
Our legal experts are ready to assist you, so don’t hesitate to contact us and schedule a free case evaluation.
