Robinson Helicopter Company Recent Lawsuits and Settlements
Robinson Helicopter Company Recent Lawsuits and Settlements
Robinson Helicopter Company, prominent in the aviation industry, has faced multiple legal challenges over the years. The company has faced lawsuits ranging from design defects to failure to worn, which have impacted the company’s reputation. More importantly, these lawsuits have set significant legal precedents.
If you sustained injuries or a member of your family lost his or her life in a helicopter crash, you may have questions about pursuing a claim, including questions about how much you could recover if your claim is successful. in addition, you may also be interested in learning more about past cases and settlements to help you get a better understanding of the possible outcome of your claim. Below, we will review these details.
Here at the Downtown L.A. Law Group, our personal injury lawyers have decades of experience and are more than ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to truly understand what to expect from the legal process. If you are ready to discuss with our attorneys, contact us today.
About the Company
Robinson Helicopter Co. is headquartered in Torrance, California. Founded in 1973, the company remains a manufacturer of helicopters, including the R66, R44, and R22 models.The company takes pride in performing every aspect of helicopter production (designing, manufacturing, assembling, inspecting, flight testing, etc.). Over the years, however, there has been concerns about alleged malfunction of critical components in these helicopters, such as issues with the rotor systems which could lead to catastrophic incidents. The company has also faced safety concerns from aviation agencies as well as multiple lawsuits.
Most Recent Lawsuits against Robinson Helicopter Co.
Recent lawsuits against the helicopter company include the following:
- 2019 crash in Pennsylvania: this crash involved a Robinson R44 helicopter. Reportedly, the incident occurred after the helicopter experienced a sudden breakup during a normal flight, which had catastrophic results. The breakup was attributed to design flaws. The incident resulted in the death of the pilot.
- 2021 crash in New Zealand: the helicopter crashed during a wedding photoshoot, injuring the newly wedded couple and the photographer. Victims filed a lawsuit against the company alleging both design defects and negligence.
Notable Past Cases:
- Wells et al. v. Robinson Helicopter Co. (2009): a crash involving a R44 helicopter killed one FAA inspector and severely injured another inspector. Plaintiffs alleged that the crash occurred due to a known defect known as “mast rocking.” The court allowed the case to proceed. The case highlighted the importance of addressing known design hazards.
- Doe v. Robinson Helicopter Co. (2017): this California case alleged that rotor blade delamination mid-flight caused the crash. There was an initial demand, although the lawsuit ultimately settled confidentially.
- Williams v. Robinson Helicopter Co. (2020): this Nevada case involved a maintenance dispute, specifically over the intervals of rotor blade replacement. The lawsuit settled.
- Estate of Gonzalez v. Robinson Helicopter Co. (2021): an R44 helicopter experienced rotor mast failure during a training flight. The case went to court proceedings, where a jury awarded a verdict. This amount included punitive damages.
Common Themes in Past Lawsuits
Lawsuits against the helicopter manufacturer often have allegations in common. For example, many lawsuits allege that Robinson Helicopter Company aircrafts have inherent design flaws, including susceptibility to rotor blade issues and mast bumping, which can lead to catastrophic failures. Other frequent allegations include the failure to warn; that is, plaintiffs often claim that the company failed to adequately warn users about known risks associated with their aircrafts.
How these Lawsuits have Impacted the Aviation Industry and Set Legal Precedents
The lawsuits discussed above have played a role in the increased scrutiny of helicopter safety standards as well as manufacturing practices. These lawsuits have also influenced regulatory bodies, like the FAA, to enforce stricter compliance measures, which ultimately ensure safety for both pilots and passengers.
Past lawsuits, specifically, set precedent through the following:
- Demonstrating litigation risk for the defendant
- Serving as bargaining tools in future negotiations
- Provide evidence that certain claims can lead to financial liability
- Reinforcing strict liability
- Opening the door for comparative fault arguments
- And more
Yes, you could have the right to file a lawsuit. If you sustained injuries or a member of your family died in a helicopter crash caused by a malfunction related to a product defect, you could have the right to file a lawsuit. In addition to having grounds to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer, Robinson Helicopter Co., you could also have grounds to file a lawsuit against the owner of the helicopter, the operator of the helicopter, the pilot, the touring company, the maintenance company, and more – of course, this will based on the specific details surrounding the incident.
To ensure that you have a thorough understanding of your right to file a lawsuit, please do not hesitate to reach out to the attorneys here at our law firm as soon as possible.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Common Injuries Caused by Defective Robinson Helicopter Crashes
Frequently Asked Questions Robinson Helicopter
Robinson Helicopter Rotator Malfunction Lawsuit Lawyers
