Most of us have heard that airplanes are among the safest means of traveling; however, Gulf Coast chopper accident lawyers know that helicopters are one of the most dangerous modes of transport.
In the oil and gas industry, helicopters are common means of transportation to get to offshore drilling rigs and vessels in the Gulf of Mexico. Unfortunately, helicopter accidents are about 90% more likely to occur than airplane accidents. Critical, even fatal, injuries usually are the result of these accidents.
Wrongful Death
Most helicopter crashes result in wrongful death for those on board. While the fatality rate for the average American worker is 3.8 deaths for 100,000 workers, the rate among oil and gas industry employees is 27.1 deaths per 100,000.
According to statistics from the time period of 2003-2010, helicopter accidents accounted for 75 percent of all transportation-related deaths among oil and gas industry workers. During that time period, 17 helicopter accidents occurred in the Gulf of Mexico; of these, 11 resulted in at least 1 worker fatality. Nine accident victims survived the crash but later drowned before they could be rescued.
When a loved one is killed in a Louisiana helicopter accident, it’s important that families know they have legal rights to pursue compensation against the negligent party.
Chopper Crash Injuries
For those who survive a crash, the most common helicopter accident injuries are catastrophic with long-term consequences. These injuries may include:
- Traumatic brain injury: Also known as TBI, these injuries can have a critical impact on the victim’s neurological function and long-term cognitive abilities.
- Spinal cord injury: Spine injuries can result in partial or total paralysis.
- Burn injuries: These injuries can be extremely painful and even fatal, depending on the severity and extent to which the victim is burned. Long-term physical and emotional trauma are also common for those who suffer severe burn injuries.
- Limb loss: Amputations, whether during the accident or when required due to medical issues after an accident, can be incredibly painful both physically and emotionally for accident victims and affect every part of your life, from work to family to normal daily activities.
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: Catastrophic accidents often have long-term psychological effects on the survivors. One of the conditions that can develop after an event such as a helicopter crash is PTSD.
Offshore Helicopter Accident Information Center
Compensation for Helicopter Accident Injuries
If you survive a chopper crash, critical helicopter accident injuries will likely make a return to your normal daily life all but impossible. The long-term medical care that is sure to be required, combined with serious limitations on your ability to work in the future, result in financial ruin for many helicopter accident victims. This is why it is so critical to pursue the maximum compensation possible from the party responsible for the accident.
Factors that will influence the compensation you may be entitled to include:
- The type and severity of your helicopter accident injuries
- Current and future medical treatment needs
- Current and future lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Extent to which you are expected to recover from the injuries
- Emotional and psychological damage suffered from the accident
At Lambert Zainey, our New Orleans helicopter accident attorneys help victims and the families of victims who have died in aviation accidents to recover compensation for the damages they’ve suffered. Contact us today for experienced legal assistance.
FAQs
Only the pilot was on board. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide any updates.
What is the most common cause of a helicopter crash? ›
The most frequent factor in helicopter accidents is pilot error, says aviation training provider Pilot Institute. Pilots may be fatigued, under extreme pressure, or dealing with complicated equipment. Their work is intensive, requiring tremendous amounts of information processing.
What is the survival rate for helicopter pilots? ›
Case fatality rates and adjusted odds ratios from multivariate logistic regression models were determined using data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). During this 6-year period, 29 pilots-in-command died in 167 helicopter commuter and air taxi crashes, a case fatality rate of 17.4%.
How rare is a helicopter crash? ›
Unfortunately, at a rate of 1.8 fatal crashes per 100,000 hours, the authors' method produces a result of 37%, which is 6% higher than the correct result.
Who investigates general aviation accidents? ›
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates every civil aviation accident in the U.S. and significant accidents in other modes of transportation. Based on their investigative findings and special studies, the board makes recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents.
What are air crash investigators called? ›
Alternative titles for this job include Air accident engineering inspector, air accident operations inspector, Inspector of air accidents.
What is the highest paid helicopter pilot? ›
EMS piloting is one of the highest paying vocations for helicopter pilots, as many jobs offer $60,000-70,000 per year as a starting salary. The work is steady, and many pilots can work their way up to earn around $150,000 per year.
What is the probability of surviving a helicopter crash? ›
This is the probability of surviving a single flight hour. The probability of surviving 2 flight hours is 0.999982 squared. The probability of surviving the hypothetical 20-year career is 0.999982 to the 20,800th power (20×52×20) or 0.688=69%. The fatality rate is 1−0.688=0.312 or 31%.
What is the maximum age to be a helicopter pilot? ›
Flight instructors hear this question often. The answer is, as long as you can pass the third-class medical exam, it is doable. There is no maximum age limit for private pilots.
How painful is a helicopter crash? ›
A helicopter accident can be catastrophic for a victim, often resulting in critical injuries or death. The physical and emotional toll can be immense, including severe trauma, long-term disability, or chronic pain.
Jesus nut is a slang term for the main rotor retaining nut or mast nut, which holds the main rotor to the mast of some helicopters. The related slang term Jesus pin refers to the lock pin used to secure the retaining nut.
What state has the most helicopter crashes? ›
Helicopter accidents — 2007 to 2016
- Oregon: 46.
- Utah: 40.
- Colorado: 34.
- Nevada: 32.
- Pennsylvania: 32.
- Hawaii: 31.
- Minnesota: 31.
- Louisiana: 30.
The NTSB has primary authority to investigate every civil aviation accident in the United States; the agency is also authorized to conduct investigations involving both civilian and military aircraft "with the participation of appropriate military authorities". Aviation includes certain commercial space accidents.
Who regulates helicopters? ›
NYC Airspace
Airspace is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), though much of the airspace over New York City is uncontrolled. This means that helicopters operate under visual flight rules and are not under the direct control of air traffic.
What does FAA investigate? ›
In addition to regulating U.S. commercial and private air travel, the FAA plays a critical role in investigating aviation accidents, alongside the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), to ensure that necessary safety measures are in place and adhered to to prevent future incidents.
Who do you report low flying helicopters to? ›
Noise complaints made by low flying aircraft are handled by the FAA.
