A man who survived an offshore helicopter crash filed a lawsuit against the aircraft's owner and manufacturer in New Orleans federal court. Ferris Clark Sr. is seeking $12 million in damages from Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty AG, Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., and PHI Inc. for injuries he purportedly received as a passenger on a helicopter that crashed while transporting him from an offshore oil platform. Clark alleged the March 2011 crash was the result of a poorly maintained aircraft and a careless pilot. According to Clark, the Bell manufactured helicopter began to lose altitude and spin in the air immediately before it crashed upside down into the Gulf of Mexico. Clark was allegedly trapped in the cabin by his seatbelt and claims it was extremely difficult to extricate himself from the helicopter's cabin. The aircraft's manufacturer, Bell Helicopter Textron, is accused of various counts of negligence including producing an unreasonably dangerous product, breaching the express warranty of the manufacturer, providing inadequate operating guidelines, and providing inadequate warnings and instructions. The lawsuit accuses PHI Inc. of multiple counts of negligence including a failure to properly inspect, properly maintain, and properly service the helicopter. The company is also accused of operating an aircraft that was unfit for its intended use, allowing a careless, reckless, and unsafe pilot to operate the helicopter, failing to adequately train and supervise employees, and failing to conduct regular, periodic examinations of its employees. Clark is seeking compensation for lost income, lost wages, lost earning capacity, disability, medical expenses, suffering, pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, and other damages. He also asked the court to award him interest and court costs. Although Clark's injury occurred offshore, accidental injuries can happen in almost any setting. In the State of Louisiana, an individual who is injured as a result of someone else's negligence may be able to recover monetary damages for suffering, pain, medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and lost wages or earning capacity. Because the compensation a personal injury victim may receive depends heavily on the facts of each individual case, it is highly advisable to consult with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer after any accidental injury. J. Price McNamara is an experienced Contact J. Price McNamara ERISA Insurance Claim Attorney. He is available to help you evaluate your personal injury claim and negotiate a fair settlement. J. Price McNamara assists clients who were hurt due to another person's negligence throughout Louisiana including Ascension, Lafayette, Jefferson, Orleans, Kenner, Lafourche, St. John, Terrebonne, Mandeville, East Baton Rouge, and West Baton Rouge Parishes. To schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case, you may contact him through his website or call him today at (866) 248-0580.
J. Price McNamara
Attorney
Losing my own brother, then my father and sister after long, disabling illnesses just a few months apart drove a career change for me. Before that experience, I never truly understood the place you’re in. I never understood the dramatic impact that receiving (or not receiving) the disability and life insurance benefits you paid for and counted on can have on your life especially when you need to focus on family and healing. What I experienced with my own family now drives the way I view my clients and my work, and I will never forget it!
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