Offshore Helicopter Crash Maritime Accident Lawyer

Helicopters are an essential part of the offshore oil and gas drilling and production and the maritime industry along the coast of Texas and Louisiana and other parts of the United States. Helicopters are used to transport fresh crews to offshore platforms and other oil production rigs, jackup rig and many other vessels and structures. Helicopters are also used to medivac or airlift injured crew members to medical facilities onshore and in air and sea rescue operations. Helicopters are also used to deliver emergency parts to engines and other oil production equipment and some supplies. Many serious injuries and deaths occur each year in offshore helicopter crashes. Due to the complexity of these pieces of machinery, bad things can happen and people get seriously hurt and sometimes killed.

Often the helicopter owner / operator may be negligent in having a under-trained or inexperienced pilot, poorly trained ground mechanics, negligent in the operation of the craft, negligent in operating in poor weather conditions, operating with excessive loads, negligent maintenance of the helicopter, and excessive hours on the turbine engine, main rotor head, rotor gear box, intermediate gear box, or tail rotor gear box. Another area of potential liability is against the actual manufacturer of the helicopter for design and manufacturing defects, breach of warranties, and failure to properly warn of known defects and dangers of the product. Also the engine, rotor, blade and gearbox re-builders are a constant source for liability due to them often failing to completely tear down and properly rebuild the component part within the proper specs. In helicopter crash litigation, all potential defendants are brought into the case.

Our client, Mark McClain was aboard a Transport Helicopter (Bell 206 B3) owned and operated by Industrial Helicopter, Inc when at approximately 8:45AM on Feb. 5, 1998, after only 10 minutes into the flight, a loud bang type noise was heard by all aboard followed by loss of power. Seconds later an emergency crash was performed by the pilot from about 700-800 feet above the water. The Helicopter filled with water and overturned. Our client, who was trapped upside down in the craft, almost drowned. He later with the help of another passenger was able to release his belt, but he suffered a serious and permanent spinal injury. A complete investigation was done by the FAA and it was found that "... improper # 1 Bearing Housing Retaining Ring Installed " causing in part the tie bolt to shear in the gearbox. A lawsuit was filed against and Industrial Helicopter, Inc., UNC Airwork Corporation, Allision Engine Company and Lear Siegler, Inc f/k/a UNC Aviation Services. Inc. After many months of legal discovery and court proceedings, an out-of-court settlement against some of the named defendants was obtained for our client. Terms of the Settlement were made Confidential.

Know your rights under General Maritime Law, the Jones Act and other civil laws and remedies. Find out if which laws apply and let the Willis Law Firm help you. Currently the Willis firm is representing another victim of an offshore helicopter crash off the coast of Texas and investigating a death of a EMS officer on a LifeFlight helicopter that crashed in Utah.

Mr. Willis is a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer, Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Though based out of Houston, Texas, Mr. Willis has represented clients and families across the United States. If the client however, would like a referral to a local attorney who is also familiar with serious products liability cases especially involving helicopter crashes, Mr. Willis can assist in locating an attorney for you. Mr Willis also may hire as co-counsel other attorney throughout the United States to assist in the litigation. Either way, please call us if we can help.

Toll Free 1 (800) 883-9858 or 1 (800) 468-4878 or Houston (713) 654-4040.