A helicopter accident results in devastating injuries for everyone on board, even at relatively low heights. In the worsts case, the helicopter will crash and cause everyone inside to die on impact or pass away from their injuries. Many of these accidents could have been prevented by the manufacturer, which makes them liable in a lawsuit for injury or wrongful compensation. However, most victims are unsure of how much compensation they can ask for, or that there are many types of compensation that are available to them. As a result, they end up with insufficient settlements that will not make up for their losses. The personal injury attorneys of Normandie Law Firm will ensure that you are fully compensated as a victim of a helicopter crash, or the loved one of a helicopter crash victim.
Understandably, “What is my claim worth?” is one of the top questions clients ask us during their initial consultation. The answer is different for each client since it’s based on the degree of their injuries and their personal circumstances. However, we can give you an idea of the expenses you can receive, as well as settlement amounts we’ve recovered over the years. We want to educate you on this issue because far too often, helicopter manufacturers and other liable entities offer settlements that are far too low. Victims and loved ones who are desperate to move on with their lives should not be taken advantage of in this manner.
However, it’s important to understand that the following information applies to helicopter accident claims in a general sense. The specific details of your accident or the death of your loved one will affect which compensation types we request, and how much you can receive. With that in mind, here are some topics we will cover:
- What kind of losses can I be compensated for in a helicopter crash accident?
- How much is the average settlement for a helicopter accident?
- How much can I recover in a wrongful death compensation claim?
Compensation from a Helicopter Accident Lawsuit
The approximate value of your case will be the total value of several types of compensation. For example, the average case will include:
- Medical costs following the accident, as well as future medical expenses.
- Lost wages if you lost your job or needed time off due to the accident.
- Pain and suffering for mental health issues like PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
In some cases, we can also ask for punitive damages, which is a form of additional compensation awarded by the courts. This is not based on your financial losses, like lost wages and medical costs. Instead, this is a way to punish the liable individual when their negligence was especially outrageous. Making a case for punitive damages is extremely challenging and many lawyers tend to leave this out as a result. However, our attorneys have the knowledge and experience to fight for any and every type of compensation you are entitled to.
But what if you are the family member or loved one of someone who died in a helicopter crash? In that case, you would sue for wrongful death compensation. These awards typically include:
- Medical bills left behind by the deceased person.
- Pain and suffering to deal with grief and other forms of emotional trauma.
- Loss of expected income or inheritance.
In California, spouses and registered domestic partners may also qualify for loss of consortium, which refers to the loss of a significant other’s love, emotional support, and companionship. This category of compensation can include loss of sexual relations and the ability to have children, which is arguably difficult to put a price on. A skilled wrongful death claims attorney can ask you the right questions and make sure you ask for an adequate amount.
Our lawyers will also make sure that your claim is filed in a timely manner, since the statute of limitations for helicopter lawsuits is 2 years from the time of the injury or date of death. This seems like a lot of time, but a successful lawsuit takes time and work to prepare. That’s why it’s best to talk to a lawyer right away following a helicopter crash accident. If you wait too long, you may not be able to sue for compensation at all, or find yourself receiving much less than you had anticipated.
How Liability Affects the Value of Your Case
We’ve talked about the specific types of compensation, but what about the amounts? That depends on the severity of your injuries, how they affect you long-term, and the exact losses you suffered as a result of those injuries. One critical factor that affects how much you can recover is liability. In a personal injury case, liability is the act of being responsible for someone’s injury, either directly or indirectly.
Helicopter crashes, for example, can happen for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the pilot made poor decisions, or the registered owner allowed the helicopter to be flown in bad weather conditions. Or, there was a mechanical defect or design flaw by the manufacturer that caused the helicopter to malfunction. These are ways that an individual or company may be responsible, or liable for your accident. Unsurprisingly, helicopter companies are quick to blame anyone else but themselves, and victims who are desperate for compensation will fall for this tactic.
You may be asking: But what does it matter who’s liable? Compensation is compensation, right? Yes, but suing the right party, or all the responsible parties makes a big difference in the amount you will receive. For example, it’s unlikely that you can recover $1 million or more from an individual pilot. On the other hand, an aircraft manufacturer, like Robinson, Boeing, and Airbus, can be sued for the maximum amount you deserve. Thus, it’s essential that you consult an attorney who will review your case and determine exactly who is liable for your injuries.
Our lawyers have extensive experience winning lawsuits for helicopter crash victims and their loved ones. Call us today and schedule a free consultation.
Sample Settlements for Helicopter Injury Lawsuits
Deriving an average case value for a helicopter accident is difficult, since we need to examine a number of factors, including the type and severity of injury and how it affects your quality of life. If you lost your loved one in a helicopter crash, your losses would be different since they’re based on what the victim’s death has taken away from you. We do know that helicopter crash settlements typically range from 6 to 7 figures, which is on the high end as far as case values go. But that makes sense considering the number of serious injuries you can sustain in a helicopter crash, including death.
As we mentioned, we won’t be able to give you an approximate value for your case until we learn about the specific details of your accident. However, we can give you examples of past settlements, which will hopefully give you an idea of how we calculate your case value.
Sample Calculation for Helicopter Crash Injuries
James is a 32- year old warehouse supervisor who became paralyzed from the waist down due to a helicopter crash. He also suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI) and required extensive physical therapy to perform basic tasks. He is permanently disabled as a result and was forced to give up his job.
Medical expenses: $500,000
Physical Therapy: $46,000
Loss of income:$51,000 per year for 30 years = $1,530,000
Pain and Suffering: $2,000,000
Future Medical Costs: $67,000 per year times 30 years = $2,010,000
Wheelchair Accessibility Modifications: $19,000
Lifetime Prescription Costs: $90,000
Approximate Total Value of his case: $6,195,000
Sample Calculation for Wrongful Death Compensation
Sarah, 25-years old, lost her husband in a helicopter crash. At the time, Sarah was going to school and working part time, so her husband was the main breadwinner. They had a loving, supportive marriage and planned to have children once Sarah graduated from school in two years.
Funeral Costs:$13,000
Medical Expenses:$15,000
Pain and Suffering:$800,000
Loss of Expected Savings:$70,000 per year times 40 years = $2,600,000
Loss of consortium:$1,400,000
Approximate Total Value of her case: $4,828,000
These are very serious cases, but even “minor” injuries from a helicopter crash can have life-changing consequences. Burns and scars, for example, can take months or even years to heal. They’re also a constant reminder of your accident and make it hard for you to move on mentally. Other injuries can make it difficult for you to perform daily tasks or function normally at your job. These are losses for which you deserve compensation. Contact our office and find out what legal options are available to you.
Our Zero Fee Guarantee
Aside from the value of your case, you’re probably wondering: how much will it cost to hire an attorney? We understand your concern when bills are mounting and you’re not sure if you can return to work. It’s unacceptable that victims have to worry about this when they are not responsible for their injuries. That’s why our clients pay absolutely nothing for our services, as part of our Zero Fee guarantee. That’s right, you pay nothing upfront for your consultation, or for any of the work we do for your case. Once we recover your settlement, our fees will be paid by the helicopter manufacturer, and not you. And if we lose your case, you owe us nothing at all since we don’t get paid if you don’t get paid.
As you can see, there’s no risk to you in coming to see us for a free consultation. By the way, we also do free case reviews if you’ve already been to an attorney. If you’re not happy with their services or feel like your settlement value is too low, come see us and we’ll let you know if your lawyer is doing their job.
Call Normandie Law Firm today and start your claim for compensation
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