If you have been unfortunate enough to be seriously injured, you have probably had to rely on emergency medical personnel to transport you to hospital emergency rooms. These brave professionals have made it their vocation to care for the seriously injured and classifying many of them as heroes is not out of line. But what about when these professionals make mistakes, or even worse, are negligent in their duties?
According to the Chicago Tribune, a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation has concluded that the fatal 2008 medical helicopter crash that took place in Aurora, Illinois was the result of pilot error. Reportedly, the pilot of the Air Angels medical helicopter, which struck a radio tower before crashing and taking the life of a 14-month old girl being transported, has been deemed responsible for the accident due to his “inadequate preflight planning.”
It was determined that multiple factors played a role in the transport’s crash. Aside from the lack of flight planning, which would have identified the 734-foot-tall tower as a potential hazard, the NTSB also cited the pilot for flying too low, which made avoiding the tower impossible. It was also determined that the helicopter was not equipped with a proper on-board warning system, which could have alerted the pilot of the radio tower. Furthermore, the NTSB’s final report also declared that the air traffic controller at DuPage Airport failed to issue a safety warning to the 69-year-old helicopter pilot. Such warnings are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.
In total, four people lost their lives in the incident – the pilot, the child being transported to Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, a 31-year-old nurse, and a 41-year-old paramedic. For the families of these and all other helicopter crash victims, negligent parties that contributed in causing the crash can be held liable for their actions in a court of law. For more information about your rights as a helicopter crash victim, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Los Angeles helicopter crash attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP. For a free case consultation, please call us today at 1-877-800-1700.
