The Hughes 369 helicopter was manufactured by Hughes Helicopters, which was founded in the 1950s by legendary film producer and business magnate Howard Hughes. It was quickly recognized as an ideal helicopter for military and civilian use, thanks to its lightweight design and smooth flying experience. When a 369 is properly manufactured and maintained, it’s a safe and affordable choice for flight schools and corporate events. However, even a minor defect can lead to accidents, including helicopter crashes that put people’s lives at risk. If you were hurt from a helicopter ride in a Hughes 369, or lost a loved one to a helicopter crash, contact the offices of Normandie Law Firm. Our lawyers will fight to uphold your rights and bring you the compensation you deserve for your losses.
Hughes 369 Crash Accidents
Hughes 369 helicopters have been around since the 1960s, and most of the ones you see today have been refurbished multiple times. This is fine when the repairs or renovations are done correctly according to FAA regulations. Unfortunately, many companies cut corners or deliberately hide serious flaws in order to sell as many aircrafts as possible. This compromises the safety of all those on board, not to mention innocent bystanders who can be injured or killed if the helicopter crashes or makes an emergency landing.
Over the years, Hughes 369s have been reported for numerous safety issues, including malfunctioning tail rotors and unexpected engine failure. Engine failure is not unheard of in bad weather, but all Hughes 369s currently in operation should be equipped with Engine Failure Warning, which warns the pilot that the engine is in trouble. Additionally, there should be an Engine Automatic Re-ignition system to kickstart the engine when it accidentally shuts off. Crashes in Oregon, Alaska, and throughout the U.K. have been attributed to one of both of these systems failing or not being turned on during inclement weather.
Even if you survive a helicopter crash, you could be left with serious injuries that may never fully heal. These injuries don’t always occur at high altitudes. In fact, the vast majority of helicopter crashes happen right after takeoff, or when the pilot is close to the ground and is forced to make a “hard landing.” Most people don’t have sufficient funds to cover injuries like severed limbs, paralysis, and brain injury. Even if they do, not being able to work for even a month or two can devastate their finances.
If you’re suffering from helicopter injuries, you’re not alone. Call us and speak to an attorney who can help you sue the responsible parties.
Helicopter Crash Injuries
Helicopter crash victims can suffer from a variety of life-altering injuries. Here are just some of the injuries that you can receive compensation for:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Third degree burns
- Broken bones
- Loss of function in the limbs
- Paralysis
- Coma
- Internal organ damage
- Broken neck
- Spinal cord damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Death
Some of our clients come to us with several of these injuries, which require many surgeries and multiple hospital stays. Most of them also see a therapist to help deal with PTSD, anxiety, and other types of emotional trauma. The costs of recovery go far beyond treating the immediate injury, and it’s unacceptable to us that victims should pay the price.
Consult the helicopter accident lawyers of Normandie and get started on your claim for compensation.
The Liability of Hughes
Helicopter manufacturers have a duty of care to you and anyone else that rides their aircrafts. Of course, they can’t be responsible for every single thing that goes wrong. But they must adhere to the safety and manufacturing guidelines set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). If the manufacturer ignores these rules and someone is killed or injured, they may be liable in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
Depending on the circumstance, there may be other parties that owe you compensation. For example, if a helicopter tour company fails to train their pilot properly or doesn’t fix a problem they were aware of, they may be liable for your injuries. This is sadly common in older helicopters like the Hughes 369, which require constant maintenance and repair.
Our knowledgeable attorneys will find out who is responsible for your accident and make sure they pay for your losses.
Compensation from a Hughes Helicopter Crash Lawsuit
If you were injured in a helicopter accident, there are several types of compensation available to you:
- Money to cover medical bills for current and future treatments.
- Loss wages from losing your job or cutting back on your hours.
- Pain and suffering for emotional trauma (depression, anxiety, PTSD).
- Punitive damages
Punitive damages come up a lot in helicopter crashes, but more people don’t understand what they are. Simply put, punitive damages are an extra form of payment on top of your settlement award. It’s not based on financial losses, like the medical bills and lost wages. Instead, it’s a way for the courts to punish the defendant when their actions were especially harmful to the victim. A skilled attorney can help you request punitive damages if gross negligence was the reason for your injury.
Give us a call to learn more about what you can receive in a lawsuit for helicopter crash injuries.
Wrongful Death Compensation Lawsuits
Wrongful death claims are a special type of lawsuit that’s designed to help the loved ones of a helicopter crash victim. This is a hot button issue for some people, who criticize spouses and family members for trying to profit off their loved one’s death. Our lawyers know that this is far from the case. These people are victims as well and deserve compensation for what they have lost, and will continue to lose.
A wrongful death lawsuit can help you with the following costs:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical bills left behind by your loved one
- Therapy and other treatments to deal with your loss
- Loss of inheritance and expected savings
If you lost your spouse or domestic partner in a Hughes 369 crash, you can also sue for loss of consortium. In the legal sense, “consortium” is defined as the special bond and companionship that exists between a married couple or domestic partners. Thus, loss of consortium is an emotional loss as opposed to an economic loss. However, loss of consortium can include physical losses, like loss of sexual relations and losing the ability to have children with your deceased partner. As you can tell, this is a complex area of law that should be discussed with a knowledgeable attorney.
Legal representation is also recommended for siblings who are interested in filing a wrongful death claim. California law dictates that siblings cannot file for wrongful death if the victim has surviving children, or if either of the parents is still alive. You can, however, file as the executor of your brother or sister’s estate. But any funds you receive from the lawsuit must go directly to the estate. From there, it’s up to you to divide the funds according to the will’s instructions or state law when there is no will.
We also work with divorced parents who have lost their child in a helicopter crash. In California, a parent can file a wrongful death compensation claim regardless of their marital status. However, only one parent can file the lawsuit since the courts allow only one cause of action for wrongful death. The other parent will be listed as co-plaintiff and the requested award will account for both of their losses. This may be upsetting to hear if you are divorced or never married the other parent, and do not have a good relationship with them. But it’s very important that you give them a chance to join your lawsuit. If you don’t, you could be sued by them in the future for damages they lost out on.
Even if you’re on good terms with your ex, this is a very sensitive subject that may be difficult to talk about. Let us assist you by contacting your former partner and advising them of the rights and legal options. If they wish to be a co-plaintiff, we will do all the work and communicate with each of you separately s so there is no tension between the two of you. That way, you can focus on working through your grief and moving forward with your life.
Statute of Limitations
You may think there’s plenty of time to sue if someone else is clearly responsible for your injuries. But the state of California only gives you two years from the time you are injured to file a helicopter crash compensation claim. The time limit takes into account how memories can fade and evidence becomes difficult to collect when too much time has passed. Additionally, there should be a timely resolution to your accident, which can only happen if you act quickly.
Having said that, some victims are not able to sue within the statute of limitations. If you are physically or mentally incapacitated during the 2-year period, you may be granted an extension by the courts. The same goes for underage victims, or individuals who had to leave the state or country for an extended period of time. But these exceptions do not apply to everyone so it’s in your best interest to find legal representation right away.
Don’t let delays keep you from receiving adequate compensation for your injuries. Call our office and talk to a Los Angeles helicopter crash attorney today.
How Normandie Law Firm Can Help
Normandie Law Firm is proud to represent helicopter accident victims and loved ones seeking compensation for their losses. Far too often, victims are overwhelmed by the physical and mental effects of their injuries. During this time, they are often talked out of lawsuits or settle for an award that will not cover their losses. Our lawyers have the experience to negotiate the settlement you deserve, and to fight for it in front of a judge and jury if necessary.
We do all this at no cost to you as a part of our Zero fee guarantee. Our legal fees will be paid by the defendant once we win your case, and if we lose, you owe us absolutely nothing. With nothing to lose, there’s no reason to put off a free consultation with one of our attorneys. The law entitles you to seek damages for your injuries or the death of your loved one. But waiting too long can jeopardize your chances for monetary compensation.
Contact us and see what we can recover for you in a lawsuit or wrongful death claim for helicopter crash accidents.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Airbus 350 Airplane Accident Lawyer
Bell 407 Helicopter Accident Attorney
McDonnell Douglas 369 Helicopter Accident Lawyer
