$14 million settlement reached in lawsuit brought by families of helicopter crash victims
A $14 million settlement has been reached resolving a lawsuit brought by the family members of a paramedic and a flight nurse who were killed last year in an emergency medical services helicopter crash.
The suit was brought by the family members of victims 40-year-old Raul Garcia and 39-year-old Michael Sanchez. Two defendants were named in the suit: Metro Aviation, Inc., the company which operated the helicopter, and South Texas Emergency Foundation. The South Texas Emergency Foundation is a community-owned nonprofit organization based in Harlingen.
The crash took place on the night of February 5th, 2008. The helicopter crashed into Laguna Madre, killing Sanchez and Garcia as well as 55-year-old pilot Robert Goss.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the aircraft was the probable cause of the accident. Other contributing factors included the dark night conditions, inclement weather and the pilot’s lack of experience using instruments for navigation rather than sight.
The law firm representing the victims’ families reports that Metro Aviation has implemented several changes as a result of the accident. These changes include improved training in instrument proficiency and a requirement that all pilots be provided with night-vision goggles.
Additionally, open-water approaches have now been forbidden, and flights must be turned down if certain minimum safety thresholds are not met.
To read more on this wrongful death lawsuit, click here for the complete story.
Fears | Nachawati is a Texas law firm that represents the family members of wrongful death victims. If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another person organization, contact us today.Email us at info@fnlawfirm.com, or call our toll-free number at 1.866.705.7584, to receive free legal advice from a Texas wrongful death attorney.
