Robinson Helicopter Co. is a Southern California-based company that distributes helicopters to different buyers all across the world. It is known as the most affordable company for helicopter purchases, being cited as a favorite among aviation schools, training pilots, and personal owners. The R44 model in particular is widely used, but unfortunately, it is also the model that is most commonly seen in crashes. The high rate of accidents involving the R44 has caused many victims and family members of victims to file lawsuits against the company for breaches of safety and for negligence. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Robinson R44 helicopter crash, you may be able to take legal action against the company. Our team of attorneys at Normandie Law Firm in Los Angeles will make sure that you receive the fairest compensation possible from a lawsuit.
Robinson R44 Crash History
Since 1982, over 600 individuals have died from accidents involving Robinson R44 helicopters. This is the highest rate of fatal accidents per hours flown according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Many of the accidents have been linked to some sort of mechanical failure, whether it be related to the rotor or to the fuel tanks. Another issue that complicates matters and has a hand in the cause of accidents is the relative lack of experience of pilots. Because the R44 is a cheap and affordable helicopter that is used at many training locations, those who fly them do not have as many flight hours logged as professionals do.
R44’s safety issues and the problems with various parts and functions of the helicopter were never explicitly addressed or fixed by Robinson. For example, the problem of mast-bumping, which is when the mast holding the blades bumps against the housing and rotor, has been deemed a pilot problem more than a design flaw by Robinson. The company has claimed that pilots who follow necessary procedures and do not fly with recklessness do not face any danger from mast-bumping, despite the design not preventing it from happening in the first place.
Numerous crashes have resulted from mast-bumping.
Additionally, a number of Robinson R44 fatal crashes have resulted not from impact but from the ensuing explosions and burns. The fuel tanks are located directly next to the gearbox, and the aluminum housing has been known to explode. The scorching flames, paired with a compact seating area that limits mobility, spell disaster for victims.
In fact, a number of crashes could have featured victims walking away had it not been for the problem with the fuel tanks. In response to this issue, Robinson installed fuel tanks that were puncture-resistant in all new R44 models, and offered a retrofitting for older models – at a price for the owners. All potentially dangerous problems should be fixed free of charge to consumers, yet Robinson attempts to make a profit instead of prioritizing safety of those in its aircrafts.
If you are in need of an experienced attorney who can help with cases involving Robinson R44 crash lawsuits, contact our firm today. We’ll be able to provide you with the best representation available.
Injuries from Helicopter Crashes
Sadly, many helicopter crashes result in fatalities, especially those featuring Robinson R44 models. Even if a crash happens shortly after takeoff and from a relatively low height, the damages can be devastating. The helicopters may get destroyed, and the interior could be impossible to escape from.
Those in helicopter crashes may sustain some of the following injuries:
- Dozens of broken bones
- Internal organ damage, including ruptures and punctures
- Burns, ranging from first-degree to third-degree
- Heavy scarring and disfigurement
- Paralysis and loss of function in limbs
- Severed arms, legs, and other body parts
- Neck and spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries and brain damage
- Coma
- Death
In the worst cases, helicopter crashes cause all or most of the passengers to suffer fatal injuries. The amount of wrongful deaths is too high, and Robinson needs to take action to keep its passengers safe. Faulty helicopters or unsafe parts can be the cause of grief for dozens of individuals.
In addition to bodily harm of the passengers, the environment and structures can be damaged. Some helicopters crash in residential areas, causing heavy damage to homes and streets, while others land in fields and may cause wildfires to start and spread.
Let a Robinson R44 accident lawyer handle your case for you and bring you the compensation you deserve.
Liability of Robinson
Robinson has a responsibility to its users and their passengers. Merely because the helicopter is affordable does not mean it should be made with shoddy parts or that corners should be cut when it is manufactured. The company should be held responsible for all Robinson R44 crashes and victims should be compensated.
If you wish to sue the company for providing a faulty aircraft, you must be able to show that the helicopter either had a design flaw, a manufacturing defect, or a lack of warning and hazard signs or notifications. R44 models were poorly designed and there have been few updates to the rotor that would help the troubles. Further, there are other issues, such as heavy vibrations, that are not addressed. Many pilots learn of these problems when flying or inspecting the helicopters, which is a huge issue.
As with any company, Robinson has a duty of care to those it sells helicopters to. If this duty is breached, and an accident occurs that then causes physical injuries, you could take legal action. Our attorneys can sue Robinson Helicopter Co. for wrongful death if a loved one passed away in a helicopter accident.
Compensation From A Lawsuit Against The Manufacturer Of Robinson R44 For Helicopter Crashes
You can receive various amounts of compensation for your injuries if you were involved in a Robinson R44 crash. We will strive to bring you the maximum coverage available. You should not be held responsible for the expenses if you were a victim. We will work to bring you:
- Medical expenses, including surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, future treatments, and more
- Lost wages at work from the past and future
- Pain and suffering damages to cover anxiety, fear, depression, PTSD, emotional scarring, and more
- Wrongful death expenses if a family member or loved one passed away, including funeral and burial expenses, pre-death medical bills and pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of expected savings and inheritance, and more
We can also fight for punitive damages, which are additional forms of monetary compensation handed out in times of gross negligence. These damages are usually viewed as excessive, however, and only a skilled Los Angeles lawyer with experience in Robinson R44 helicopter crash lawsuits will be able to win them for you.
Contact our law firm for more help filing a lawsuit against the helicopter company.
Statute of Limitations for a Claim
If you have been hurt in a helicopter accident or if a family member or loved one passed away in a crash, you only have 2 years from the date of the injury to take legal action. If you do not file a lawsuit within that time frame, you will be unable to collect compensation. It is important that you adhere to this deadline – you should not wait too long or you risk losing your chance of damages.
You may be able to have the statute of limitations extended if you are eligible for an exception, such as if you were underage at the time of the incident, if you were physically or mentally unable to sue, or if the defendant left the state or the country for a time. The statute would change to reflect the amount of time that would change.
The reason that there is a statute of limitations on claims is so that there is not an excessive amount of time spent between the injury and the resolution. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that you will lose evidence, that memories will be foggy, or that the compensation would not match the injury after some time.
If you are uncertain of how much time you have left to file a claim, contact our lawyers for more help. We will make sure that your claim is filed on time and that nothing is late.
Choosing Normandie
Our team of attorneys at Normandie Law Firm can help you sue the Robinson R44 company for helicopter’s accidents and crashes. We have spent years in the field of personal injury and we know the best methods to winning your case for you. A helicopter accident is a serious incident and our qualified lawyers will do all we can to ensure that you are fairly represented and adequately covered. If we need to take your case to court to win it in front of a judge and jury, we will do so.
Call our offices today to set up a free legal consultation with an experienced lawyer. We’ll tell you how much we believe your claim is worth, and we will answer any questions you have. If you want to know more about the legal process, we will enlighten you. Further, we will give you our zero fee guarantee, which states that you won’t have to pay a single dime of your own money for our services. We won’t get paid unless and until we win, and if we lose, you owe us nothing. Our legal fees will be taken care of by the Robinson company.
Get in touch with Normandie Law Firm today to speak with a wrongful death lawyer for families of victims of helicopter crashing incidents.
