Developed by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, the Sikorsky 76 is a favorite among celebrities, government officials, and corporate executives. It’s also a popular choice for medical transports throughout the U.S. and Canada. Along with producing a commercial-grade aircraft, Sikorsky set out to create a one-man helicopter that could outdo a two-man helicopter. But one-man helicopters come with safety risks for everyone on board. As a result, Sikorsky must take extra precautions to meet their duty of care to all those on board, as well the general public.
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a Sikorsky 76 helicopter crash, contact the helicopter accident attorneys of Normandie Law Firm. We have many years of fighting for the rights of helicopter crash victims and recovering the compensation they deserve.
Sikorsky 76 Crash Accidents
Sikorsky has become a household name, but not for the right reasons. On January 26, 2020, a Sikorsky 76 helicopter carrying basketball legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and 6 family friends crashed into a mountain in Calabasas, California. Tragically, all the occupants, including Bryant’s 13-year old daughter, were killed on impact.
This accident is still under investigation, but the FAA has released a number of shocking violations. One, the helicopter commissioned by Bryant did not have a terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS). This safety feature can help prevent crashes by warning pilots when they are too close to the ground or other terrain. Additionally, the helicopter lacked a black box voice recorder, which would have been helpful in determining what caused the accident. One possibility is the fact that there was no co-pilot. Based on the pilot’s actions, it’s likely that he lost his sense of spatial recognition when he flew into the clouds. A co-pilot could have taken over and made an emergency landing at a nearby airport.
These circumstances have prompted Bryant’s widow and relatives of the other victims to file wrongful death lawsuits. But compensation claims are not just for the rich and famous. Anyone who was injured or lost a loved one in a helicopter accident has the right to demand compensation for their losses. Call a Los Angeles helicopter crash lawyer to get started on a claim for injury or wrongful death.
Helicopter Crash Injuries
News stories on helicopter accidents typically involve fatalities, but there are many other injuries you can suffer from a helicopter crash. These injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Third degree burns
- Damage to the internal organs
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of function in the limbs
- Paralysis
- Severed Limbs
- Traumatic brain injury
- Coma
Then, there are the injuries you can’t see. The emotional trauma from a helicopter crash can manifest in many ways, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. These conditions typically require long term, or maybe even life-long therapy and medication. Victims should not have to choose between paying for expensive treatments and suffering in silence.
Speak with the lawyers of Normandie and take action against those responsible for your injury.
Lability of Sikorsky
As we mentioned, the Sikorsky 76 involved in Kobe Bryant’s death is being investigated to determine who is responsible for the accident. This is called liability, and it’s a crucial element in any persona injury case. If you blame the wrong party or fail to prove who’s at fault, your case may be dismissed, or you could end up receiving a lower amount than you had anticipated.
In order to hold Sikorsky responsible, you will need to show a clear link between your injury and the company’s negligence. Perhaps the manufacturer knew about safety issues, like defective parts and design flaws, and sold the helicopter anyway. If one of these safety issues caused the crash that led to your injury, Sikorsky would be liable in a case for compensation. The same can be said for defects they should have known about it. If Sikorsky failed to inspect and test the helicopter properly before they sold it, they would be liable for the resulting injuries as well.
If you believe Sikorsky is responsible for your injury or the death of your loved one, speak with the attorneys of Normandie Law Firm. Our lawyers will uncover any and all liable parties and fight for the payments you’re entitled to.
Compensation from a Lawsuit for Helicopter Accident Injuries
A compensation award for helicopter crash injuries cover a variety of losses, including:
- Medical bills to treat your injury (hospitalization, surgery, therapy, etc.)
- Pain and suffering for emotional trauma
- Lost wages for time off or job loss
- Punitive damages
Punitive damages may be awarded if there is gross negligence by the defendant, meaning the victims suffered excessive levels of harm due to the defendant’s actions. This compensation is awarded at the court’s discretion, and in California, there is no limit on how much you can receive in punitive damages.
If you have questions about punitive damages, or any other type of compensation, speak with one of our helicopter crash lawsuit attorneys.
Wrongful Death Compensation for Loved Ones of Helicopter Crash Victims
California law permits loved ones of helicopter crash victims to sue for wrongful death compensation. This is a special type of lawsuit meant to help loved one with losses such as:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical bills left behind by the deceased person.
- Pain and suffering to treat PTSD, depression, and anxiety
- Loss of expected savings
- Loss of inheritance
If you just lost your spouse or family member in a helicopter crash, you may be wondering if a lawsuit is the right thing to do. We certainly understand that money can’t take the place of the person you lost. However, you are a victim as well, and it’s unacceptable that you should be left with expenses that someone else is responsible for. Nor should you struggle to pay for therapy in order to deal with the emotional trauma of your loved one’s death.
Your losses, by the way, may extend far beyond the person’s death. For example, a spouse or domestic partner can file for loss of consortium, which is the loss of a partner’s love, emotional support, and companionship. It can even include the loss of sexual relations and the loss of children you could have had with your partner. It can be difficult to make a case for loss of consortium, since it’s not based on a financial loss. A skilled wrongful death attorney can explain this to you in more detail and ensure you receive everything you’re entitled to.
If the deceased individual is a child, the parents can sue Sikorsky and anyone else liable for the accident. The martial status of the parents does not matter, so you can seek compensation even if you are divorced or the two of you were never married. However, the courts will only accept one wrongful death compensation claim for a victim, so both of you cannot file your own lawsuits. Instead, one of your will file the lawsuit with the courts and list the other as co-plaintiff.
As a divorced parent, talking to your ex may be difficult depending on the state of your relationship. However, it’s important that you notify them of your intention to sue. If you knowingly leave them out, they could sue you later for the compensation they should have received. We will be happy to assist you in this matter by speaking with your ex and taking care of everything related to the lawsuit.
We can also help you if you are a brother or sister of a Sikorsky 76 helicopter crash victim. In order to sue for wrongful death compensation as a sibling, the victim must not have any surviving children and both of their parents must be deceased. However, this rule does not apply if you are the executor of the deceased person’s estate. In this case, you ae suing on behalf of the estate and all the funds you recover belong to the estate. As the executor, you are responsible for distributing the money according to the instructions in the will. If there is no will, you will need to go by California’s intestate succession laws.
There’s much more to know about wrongful death compensation claims, which is why you should consult an attorney right away. The California helicopter accident lawyers of Normandie will advise you of the correct procedures and make sure your claim is filed properly.
Statute of Limitations for Helicopter Crash Lawsuits
In the state of California, you have two years from the date of your helicopter accident to claim compensation. Or, if you lost a loved one to a helicopter crash, you have two years from the date of their death to file for wrongful death compensation. If you miss the 2-year deadline, you may not be able to seek damages or receive adequate compensate to cover your losses.
An extension may be given by the courts if you were underage at the time of the accident. You can also request an extension if you were physically or mentally unable to take legal action. Or, if you had to leave the state of country during the 2-year period, you may also qualify for an extension. But you should talk to a lawyer right away, if at all possible. Victims that wait too long may have trouble recalling things clearly. It can also be difficult to go after the ones who caused your injury and request certain kinds of information. Speak with our attorneys and get started on a claim for injuries or wrongful death compensation.
Our Zero Fee Guarantee
Sometimes, life isn’t fair and there’s nothing we can do about it. But that’s not the case when you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence. California laws allow you to sue for compensation, but the costs of litigation keep many victims from seeking justice. We at Normandie Law Firm believe that victims should never pay upfront for our services. You will never pay a penny out of pocket as a part of our Zero fee guarantee, even if we lose your case. So you have nothing to lose by giving us a call and scheduling a free initial consultation.
We also offer free second opinions, so please come and see us if you’re not getting the results you want from your current attorney. Unfortunately, some lawyers settle for low-ball offers so they can move you along and take on the next case. To us, you are not a number and we will spend whatever time is necessary to recover the full value of your losses. And remember, there is no cost to you whether you decide to work with us or not.
Call our office and speak with a helicopter crash lawsuit lawyer today.
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