Helicopter Accidents

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New Orleans Offshore Helicopter Accident Lawyers – Lambert Zainey

Helicopters are key for getting crews and gear to offshore rigs, platforms, and boats way out in the Gulf of Mexico. They’re fast, but flying them offshore has real risks. Accidents can happen during takeoff, landing, in the air, or even during an emergency landing on water (ditching). These crashes can cause terrible injuries or kill people. Problems like engine failure, pilot mistakes, bad weather, or poor maintenance can all lead to disaster.

When an offshore helicopter crashes, figuring out who’s responsible involves tricky mixes of flying rules, sea laws, and maybe even state laws. Lambert Zainey’s New Orleans offshore injury lawyers know how to handle these complicated accidents. We understand helicopters, the safety rules, and the different laws involved. We dig deep to find out what happened and fight to get the most money possible for injured workers and the families who lost loved ones.

Hurt in an Offshore Helicopter Crash or Incident? Get Experienced Help.

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Why Offshore Helicopter Travel Can Be Risky

Using helicopters is fast and necessary for offshore work, but it’s risky because:

Complex Machines: Helicopters have lots of moving parts (rotors, engines, gearboxes) that need constant, careful upkeep.
Tough Flying Conditions: Flying over open water, often in changing weather, takes a lot of pilot skill.
Tricky Landings: Landing safely on small, sometimes crowded helipads on platforms isn’t easy.
Water Emergencies: If a helicopter has to land on the water (ditching), survival depends on special training and gear (life vests, rafts).

Which Laws Apply When a Helicopter Crashes Offshore?

Figuring out who pays and which rules apply after an offshore helicopter crash is often very complex. Different laws might be involved:

General Maritime Law: Often applies to accidents over water. Sets basic safety duties for companies that run and build helicopters.
Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA): If someone dies in a crash more than 12 nautical miles from the U.S. shore, DOHSA usually applies to the family’s claim. It mainly covers lost financial support.
State Law (through OCSLA): If carelessness on a fixed platform (like bad landing instructions or an unsafe helideck) caused the crash, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) might use the law of the nearest state (like Louisiana) for lawsuits against the platform company.
Jones Act: Rarely, if a helicopter pilot or maybe crew could be considered a “seaman” tied to a vessel (this is legally tricky), the Jones Act might cover their injury/death claim against their employer.
LHWCA: Platform workers hurt while loading/unloading a helicopter might have rights under this law (like workers’ comp).
Aviation Law: Rules from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about how helicopters should be flown, maintained, and pilots certified are very important for proving carelessness.

Our Offshore injury lawyers carefully look at where the crash happened, who was involved, and what went wrong to figure out the best way to bring a claim.

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Arco cryogenic platform explosion caused by improper cold cut of Southern Natural Gas pipeline. Settlement for the injured and deceased in approximately twelve months.

Common Reasons Why Offshore Helicopters Crash

After investigating, crashes often happen because of one or more of these:

Pilot Mistakes

Flying into bad weather they shouldn’t have.
Not following checklists or flight plans.
Bad handling during takeoff, landing, or emergencies.
Being too tired to fly safely.
Getting confused about position or direction (disorientation).

Mechanical Problems / Bad Maintenance

The engine quits or loses power.
Gearbox or transmission fails.
Problem with the main rotor or tail rotor.
Controls stop working right.
Parts breaking because they weren’t checked, fixed right, or were bad from the start.

Bad Weather

Flying into thunderstorms, strong winds, or thick fog.
Ice building up on the helicopter.
Losing sight of the horizon or platform in bad visibility.

Problems on the Platform or Landing Zone

Helideck blocked by equipment or poorly maintained.
Not enough lighting for night landings.
Bad instructions from people on the platform.
Wind currents messed up by platform buildings or gas flares.

Communication Errors

Bad instructions or warnings from Air Traffic Control (less common far offshore, but possible).

Different Types of Helicopter Accidents Offshore

Helicopter accidents offshore can include:

Takeoff/Landing Crashes: Losing control near the platform or boat.
Mid-Air Problems: Engine failure, fire, or parts breaking apart while flying.
Flying Into Water/Structure: Pilot doesn’t realize they’re too low due to confusion or bad visibility.
Hard Landings: Banging down hard enough to cause injuries, even if the helicopter isn’t totally destroyed.
Ditching: Trying to land safely on the water after an engine failure or other problem. Whether people survive often depends on how well the helicopter floats, life vests, rafts, and rescue efforts.

Common Injuries from Helicopter Crashes

Because crashes are so violent, injuries are often very severe or fatal:

Hard Hits (Blunt Force Trauma)
Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Spinal Cord Injuries / Being Paralyzed
Bad Burns (from fires after the crash)
Internal Bleeding / Organ Damage
Lost Limbs (Amputations)
Severe Emotional Trauma (PTSD)
Death
Drowning or Freezing (Hypothermia) after hitting the water

Our team digs deep to find everyone who played a part in causing your injury.

Louisiana offshore helicopter crash attorney

Who Can Be Blamed (Held Liable) for a Crash?

Finding everyone responsible is key to getting fair compensation:

The Helicopter Company (Operator/Owner): Responsible for pilot mistakes, bad maintenance, not following safety rules.
The Helicopter Maker: Responsible if a bad design or manufacturing flaw caused the crash.
Makers of Helicopter Parts: Responsible if a specific faulty part (engine, rotor, etc.) failed.
Maintenance Companies: Responsible if they did a bad job inspecting or fixing the helicopter.
Platform Owner/Operator: Could be responsible if unsafe platform conditions or bad directions played a part (likely under OCSLA/State Law).
Employer of the Injured Passenger: Might be responsible for ensuring safe transportation, depending on the situation.
Air Traffic Control (if involved): Could be responsible for bad guidance.

Your Rights After Getting Hurt in an Offshore Helicopter

If you were injured flying to or from an offshore job site:

You have the right to get needed medical help.
You have the right to have the crash fully investigated.
You have the right to seek money (compensation) for your injuries from those responsible.
You have the right to hire your own lawyers who specialize in these kinds of accidents.

The exact type of claim depends on the complex factors we talked about. It’s very important not to sign any settlement papers or waivers from the companies involved without talking to an experienced lawyer first.

Why Choose Lambert Zainey for Your Helicopter Accident Case?

Handling offshore helicopter cases takes special skills:

We Know Both Sea & Air Law: We understand how flying rules and sea laws mix in offshore cases.
We Investigate Complex Crashes: We work with top airplane/helicopter experts and accident investigators to figure out why it crashed.
We Handle the Complicated Laws: We know how to figure out which laws apply (DOHSA, OCSLA, State, Maritime) and file the case right.
We Win Against Big Companies: We have the power and experience to take on large helicopter companies, manufacturers, and oil companies. See our Maritime Case Results.
Your Case is Personal to Us: We understand that an injury affects your life, your family, and your future. That’s why we provide compassionate guidance, keep you updated with clear communication, and treat your case with the personal attention it deserves. Read More About Our Maritime Attorneys.

We have represented injured maritime workers for over 40 years. We understand the laws that govern maritime employers and employees.

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Common Questions About Offshore Helicopter Accidents

Helicopter trips to and from offshore sites can be dangerous when something goes wrong. This section answers key questions to help you understand your rights after an aviation-related injury.

Often, yes, especially basic safety rules. If someone dies far offshore (beyond 12 NM), DOHSA usually applies. But if the crash was caused by something wrong on a fixed platform, state law might apply to claims against the platform company (through OCSLA). It’s complicated.

Bad weather doesn’t automatically mean no one is responsible. Should they have flown in that weather? Was the pilot trained for it? Was the helicopter equipped right? Did they ignore forecasts? These questions matter.

Yes. If a bad design or faulty part caused the crash, you can likely file a “product liability” claim against the maker, in addition to claims against the helicopter operator.

Depending on the law that applies, you could recover money for medical bills, lost wages (past and future), pain and suffering, mental anguish, etc. If someone died far offshore (DOHSA), the family usually recovers mainly for lost financial support.

Call Our New Orleans Oil Rig Accident Lawyers Today

Offshore helicopter accidents need fast investigation and lawyers who know what they’re doing. If you or someone you love was involved in a helicopter incident related to offshore work, contact Lambert Zainey.

Our New Orleans attorneys understand these high-stakes cases and will fight for answers and the money you deserve.

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