McDonnell Douglas 369 Accident Helicopter Crash Attorney
Since 1967, McDonnell Douglas has been manufacturing some of the world’s most popular helicopters, including the MD 369. Commonly known as the Hughes 369, this aircraft was originally developed for the army, but is currently available for business or private use. Unfortunately, they are also behind increasing numbers of crashes and other accidents associated with helicopters. These accidents often result in serious, life-altering injuries that require victims to seek monetary compensation. If you or someone you know was injured in a McDonnell Douglass 369 crash, you may be able to sue the company for negligence. To learn more about your legal options, please contact the personal injury attorneys of DTLA Law Group.
McDonnell Douglas 369 Crash History
The 369 was originally developed by Hughes Helicopters, which McDonnell Douglas acquired in 1984. Since then, the aircraft has been sold all over the world for military use, as well as business and personal use. As their popularity increased, so did the number of crashes and other accidents. In 2010, for example, an MD 369E crashed near Delta Junction, Alaska due to what was called “total loss of engine power.’ Another incident, which is still being investigated, involves a 369 crash that occurred at South Carolina’s Summerville Airport.
There are various reasons for these types of accidents, but many of them involve mechanical failure, including defective parts, design flaws, and loose parts. Most of these failures can be prevented by proper maintenance and training. This is particularly important with old models like the 369, which are usually refurbished as they transition from military to civilian use. Companies are also responsible for making sure their pilots are properly trained in order to plan safe flight paths and act accordingly in emergency situations. Proper training also involves constant supervision to ensure that pilots are following proper safety measures.
Negligence in the form of carelessness or poor judgment has been the source of numerous McDonnell Douglas helicopter crashes. When there’s snow, for example, the pilot must turn on the MD 369’s Engine Failure Warning system and the Engine Automatic Re-ignition system. Failure to do so has resulted in numerous crashes throughout the U.S. and Canada, even when there was very little snow.
Some of these crashes cause serious injuries such as burns, severed limbs, spinal cord damage, and death. Even if the pilot is skilled enough to bring the plane in for a landing, passengers may still be injured from issues with the fuel tank. We often see these types of injuries in cases of turbulence and hard landings. If the fuel tanks are not structurally sound or puncture-resistant, they can explode, causing burns and other serious injuries even if the helicopter lands successfully.
If you have been harmed in a McDonnell Douglas 369 crash, call the attorneys of DTLA Law Group to learn about your legal rights.
Helicopter Crash Injuries
Death is the most serious injury resulting from helicopter crashes, but there are plenty of other devastating injuries that can change your life forever. These injuries usually occur during takeoffs, when the helicopter is still relatively close to the ground. Here are some of the most common helicopter-related injuries we’ve seen in our practice:
- Broken bones in the face and body
- Ruptured or punctured internal organs
- Broken neck or spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Severe burns, resulting in scarring and disfigurement
- Coma
- Severed body parts
- Paralysis or loss of function in various body parts
Aside from death and injury to the passengers, helicopter crashes can damage homes, buildings, and the environment. Depending on where the helicopter was at the time, a pilot may have no choice but to land on a residential street, beach, or some other area full of people. If there’s a fuel tank explosion, it could start a wildfire that rages out of control.
As you can see, the injuries from a MD 369 accident are complex and far-reaching. Call us today and speak to one of our helicopter crash attorneys.
Liability for Your Injuries
One of the most important tasks in a personal injury lawsuit is to determine the responsible party, i.e., who is liable for your injuries. In the case of helicopter crashes, the company has a legal obligation to ensure that passengers are safe during the course of their ride. Sadly, many companies cut corners to save money or due to time-constraints. They may also allow shoddy pilots to continue flying, even though there were previous incidents of pilot error or negligence.
The DTLA Law Group will thoroughly investigate your accident to see where the company went wrong. Maybe the company failed to make updates that are required for aircrafts as old as the McDonnell Douglas 369. Or, maybe the company that owns the aircraft failed to conduct proper background checks on the pilot that caused the accident. Essentially, there are many reasons for why your accident occurred, and our lawyers will work tirelessly to uncover the truth.
Statute of Limitations
Dealing with the effects from a helicopter crash is a scary and painful process. You may be tempted to put off legal action during this time, but you must act right away. In California, a claim for personal injury must be filed within 2 years of the date of injury. Two years may seem like a long time, but the days will pass in the blink of an eye when you’re faced with doctor’s appointments, therapy sessions, job loss, and other stresses following the accident. Thus, it’s imperative that you seek legal advice right away.
If you miss the 2-year deadline, you will not be able to seek financial compensation, no matter how serious your injuries are. The only exception to this rule is if you were a child at the time, if you were out of the state or country during the two year time period, or you were physically/ mentally incapacitated at the time. However, many of these defendants are at a disadvantage because so much time has passed. Memories can become fuzzy and evidence may be harder to locate.
To give yourself the best chance possible in a lawsuit against McDonnell Douglas, contact our lawyers without delay.
Compensation from a McDonnell Douglas 369 Lawsuit
Each person’s case is unique, and there is no set amount that you could receive from an MD 369 crash lawsuit. However, there are 4 types of compensation you can legally request:
- Medical expenses for things like hospital bills, counseling, and physical therapy.
- Lost wages from job loss or change in career.
- Pain and suffering for emotional damages like PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
- Expenses for wrongful death, including but not limited to: funeral expenses, medical bills, and loss of income as a result of the person’s death.
You may also be able to sue for punitive damages, which the court may award in extremely serious cases. This payment is like a form of extra punishment for the responsible parties, and is awarded on top of your regular settlement. These payment are difficult to receive, and should not be requested without help from an experienced helicopter crash attorney. Contact our law firm today and make sure you receive the full value of your compensation.
Wrongful Death Compensation ClaimsWrongful death is a complex, but extremely important type of compensation for those left behind by a crash victim’s death. These people include the deceased person’s spouse, their surviving children, the parents of a deceased child, and the victim’s siblings.
This category of damages accounts for the many kinds of loss that loved ones suffer as a result of the victim’s untimely death. There’s monetary compensation for funeral expenses and medical costs related to the deceased person’s injuries. Those left behind can also sue for pain and suffering if they need counseling to treat trauma-related conditions like PTSD and depression. We also consider the savings and inheritance surviving spouses and children lose out on, which is another form of wrongful death compensation. Other compensation may be available based on your circumstances. Our lawyers can look into you situation and make sure you receive the full value of your award.
In the case of parents suing for a child’s death, the law only allows one wrongful death claim to be filed. With married parents, one parent will be the litigant and the other will be listed as co-plaintiff. But things get more complicated if you’re divorced or you were never married to the other parent. If you don’t have a good relationship with them, you may be tempted to file a lawsuit against McDonnell Douglas and not let them know about it. However, you are legally obligated to notify them and give them a chance to join you in your claim. If you don’t do this, the other parent has the right to sue you for their losses.
There are legal limitations as well if the person suing is a brother or sister of a helicopter accident victim. A sibling can only file a wrongful death suit against McDonnell Douglas if the victim has no surviving children and both parents of the victim are deceased. In that case, the sibling may be the executor of the victim’s estate, which would also allow them to sue for wrongful death. But keep in mind that the recovered compensation belongs to the estate, not the executor. Therefore, the money is distributed according to the rules set forth in the will, or at the court’s discretion if there is no will.
With so much to process, it’s no wonder so many people miss out on the funds they’re entitled to. Our attorneys will consider all the facts in your case and ensure that you are not cheated in a helicopter crash lawsuit against McDonnell Douglas.
Why You Should Choose DTLA
The personal injury attorneys of DTLA Law Group have many years of experience fighting for helicopter crash victims. In addition to our record of recovered settlements, we do everything we can to empower and restore peace of mind to our clients. To that end, all the work we do for is on a contingency fee basis. That means everything we do for you, from the initial consultation to our fees during the lawsuit, is completely free until your case is resolved. And if we fail to win your case, you pay nothing as a part of our Zero fee guarantee.
To get started on your claim, call us today to set up a free consultation with one of our attorneys. We will address your questions with qualified legal advice and give you a picture of what your claim may be worth. And remember, you pay us nothing until we win and receive our legal fees directly from the parties that caused your injuries. If we lose, you still pay nothing so there is no loss to you either way.
Contact the DTLA Law Group today and learn about your legal options as a McDonnell Douglas 369 crash victim.
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