Why People Choose Our Team After a Helicopter Accident
After a helicopter crash, choosing the right attorney can make all the difference. Survivors and families in Louisiana trust Arnold & Itkin for our unmatched experience in catastrophic aviation accident claims and our commitment to treating clients like family. We start by listening to your story, your needs, and your hopes for the future. Then, we take the necessary steps to find answers and a fair outcome on your behalf.
Our strength lies in the way we prepare. We embrace the challenges of the courtroom, and we prepare every case for trial. Our opponents know we will not back down. Our record includes historic verdicts, repeat victories against major corporations, and countless families assisted through their darkest times. Our attorneys work to hold every responsible party accountable, no matter how complex or powerful the opposition.
People choose our Baton Rouge helicopter accident lawyers for our results, relentless work ethic, and the way our team becomes a strong support system at every stage. Your fight becomes our fight.
Our Results: Fighting for Victims of Helicopter Accidents
In helicopter accident cases, the stakes are enormous. We have secured over $20 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients nationwide, including multi-billion-dollar victories against some of the largest corporate defendants. We are trial lawyers at heart, recognized as leaders in catastrophic injury litigation by organizations like Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and Lawdragon.
$1.7 Million Verdict for Helicopter Crash Victim
When a major helicopter operator's negligence caused a crash in the Gulf of Mexico, they did everything possible to avoid responsibility. Our team proved otherwise.
The Incident
An offshore fire and safety inspector was being transported to an offshore platform when a PHI helicopter experienced a tail rotor failure. Though the pilot managed to land in the Gulf, the helicopter flipped over in the water because the operator had installed the flotation devices incorrectly.
Our client suffered serious back injuries and PTSD from the terrifying ordeal, eventually requiring surgery.
The Defense Strategy
Rather than accept responsibility, PHI mounted an aggressive defense. The company:
- Blamed component part manufacturers for the entire accident.
- Claimed our client wasn't actually injured, pointing out the other two passengers weren't hurt.
- Highlighted our client's previous back issues and depression to suggest pre-existing conditions.
- Showed the jury surveillance video, calling our client a "malingerer" and accusing him of faking injuries.
- Argued he was already on pain medication before the crash, so the accident didn't cause his problems.
Our Response
Our attorneys stood by our client and methodically dismantled PHI's arguments. We showed the jury exactly what happened: PHI's improper installation of flotation devices turned a survivable emergency landing into a violent capsizing that caused real, documented injuries. We demonstrated how this traumatic event—being trapped underwater in a flipped helicopter—changed our client's life forever.
The Outcome
The jury returned a $1.7 million verdict and assigned 100% of the blame to PHI. Because the jury found PHI entirely at fault, the company wasn't entitled to any credit for settlements our team had already secured from other parties before trial. Our client received full compensation for his injuries, medical treatment, and suffering.
Results like this are not the product of luck or quick settlements. We consistently take on the toughest defendants: companies that hire teams of lawyers and experts to deny responsibility. We've won record verdicts in complex, high-profile cases by outworking corporate defense teams who bet we'll eventually back down. We don't.
“They are driven. They are aggressive. They will not quit for you. They will not give up for you. That's what makes them special.”
- Mildred, Arnold & Itkin client
Helicopter Accidents in Louisiana: Causes, Risks & Legal Challenges
Offshore oil and gas operations and medical evacuations create unique aviation risks in Louisiana. Serious helicopter crashes in the area often involve flights to and from oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, medevac flights from vehicle accidents and remote worksites, or business charters serving the state's energy corridor. Faced with unpredictable Gulf weather, demanding flight schedules, and pressure to maintain tight operational timelines, operators sometimes cut corners on maintenance or push pilots to fly in unsafe conditions. These decisions turn routine flights into disasters.
Leading Causes of Helicopter Crashes
Common causes of helicopter accidents in Louisiana include mechanical failures from deferred maintenance, pilot error under challenging conditions, and inadequate oversight from corporations that prioritize profits over safety. When crashes occur, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) typically investigate, but their findings can take months or even years. Meanwhile, helicopter operators, oil companies, and their insurers immediately begin building their defense.
Recent high-profile crashes in Louisiana have proven that securing evidence and protecting legal rights early is critical. Multiple parties (helicopter operators, maintenance contractors, component manufacturers, and employers) may attempt to minimize their responsibility or shift blame to others. Physical evidence disappears, wreckage gets moved or destroyed, and crucial maintenance records can conveniently "go missing." That's why having experienced Louisiana helicopter accident attorneys involved from day one makes all the difference.
Louisiana's Unique Aviation Challenges
Louisiana's geography, economy, and weather patterns create unique aviation risks:
Offshore Oil & Gas Transport
Louisiana serves as the hub for Gulf of Mexico energy operations, with hundreds of helicopter flights daily transporting workers to offshore platforms. These flights often cover vast distances over open water, where emergency landing options don't exist and rescue can take precious time. Operators like PHI, Bristow Group, and ERA Helicopters maintain large fleets serving the Gulf.
Medical Evacuation Pressures
Rural parishes across Louisiana rely heavily on air ambulance services. Companies like Air Methods and PHI Air Medical face constant pressure to respond quickly, sometimes launching flights in marginal weather conditions. When medevac helicopters crash, the consequences are devastating, putting critically ill or injured patients, medical crews, and pilots all at risk.
Challenging Weather Conditions
Louisiana's subtropical climate brings sudden thunderstorms, dense fog rolling off the Gulf, and tropical weather systems that can deteriorate rapidly. Pilots operating over the Gulf of Mexico or Louisiana's vast wetlands often have limited visibility and few reference points for navigation. Winter months bring additional challenges with low cloud ceilings and reduced daylight hours.
Complex Terrain & Limited Landing Options
Louisiana's coastal wetlands, marshes, and swamps offer virtually no safe emergency landing zones. A mechanical failure or loss of power over these areas leaves pilots with few options. Even successful emergency landings can turn deadly when helicopters sink into marshland or murky water before rescue arrives.
Multiple Regulatory Jurisdictions
Helicopter operations in Louisiana fall under overlapping federal and state oversight. The FAA's Southwest Regional Office oversees operator certifications and flight operations, while the NTSB's Office of Aviation Safety investigates helicopter crashes. Offshore flights also involve U.S. Coast Guard jurisdiction, and work-related helicopter accidents may trigger additional OSHA or Louisiana Workforce Commission involvement. With multiple investigative and regulatory agencies involved, it can be difficult for victims to understand their rights and options.
As a local Baton Rouge firm with considerable experience representing helicopter accident survivors and victims' families, our team at Arnold & Itkin knows how to work with these agencies as we conduct our own investigation, examine the evidence at hand, and build compelling cases for our clients. We move quickly to protect our clients' rights and interests.
What to Do After a Helicopter Accident in Louisiana
Helicopter crashes are rare but devastating, often leaving survivors and families unsure where to turn next. In Louisiana, where helicopters support offshore operations, medical transport, pipeline patrol, and industrial work, the aftermath of a crash can involve multiple agencies, powerful corporations, and complex investigations. Taking the right steps early can protect your health, your rights, and your ability to pursue the truth about what happened.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a helicopter accident in Louisiana:
- Get emergency medical care right away, even if your injuries aren’t obvious.
- Document what you can: flight details, operator information, and witness contacts.
- Ensure the incident is reported to law enforcement and appropriate authorities, including the NTSB.
- Do not speak with company representatives or insurers before seeking legal counsel.
- Call a Louisiana helicopter accident attorney who can preserve evidence and begin an independent investigation.
We understand how confusing this time can be. Our team provides both legal and practical support, connects clients with respected medical providers, coordinates with investigative agencies, and answers every question clearly and promptly. We handle everything while you focus on healing, and you owe nothing unless we win.
Why Local Knowledge Matters in Louisiana Helicopter Crash Cases
Our attorneys understand the specific aviation challenges in Louisiana because we've handled cases involving Gulf Coast helicopter operations for years. We know which operators have histories of maintenance violations, which routes present the highest risks, and which regulatory agencies to contact for critical records. We've worked with aviation experts familiar with Louisiana's weather patterns, offshore operations, and the unique demands placed on pilots flying in this region.
When a helicopter crash happens, companies count on victims and their families being overwhelmed—grieving, dealing with catastrophic injuries, and unsure where to turn. They rely on their sophisticated legal teams and insurance adjusters to control the narrative before families even realize they need representation. We level that playing field by moving immediately to preserve evidence, secure records, and protect your rights while you focus on what matters most: recovery and family.
How Our Attorneys Help Louisiana Families Move Forward
From the very beginning after a helicopter accident, our team at Arnold & Itkin works to lift the burden from your family. Our process starts with a thorough assessment, timely evidence gathering, and communication with the NTSB, FAA, and local authorities. We take on powerful corporate defendants, including helicopter operators and insurers, and prepare every case for courtroom trial.
Louisiana’s legal system can seem intimidating, especially in high-profile aviation cases, which often proceed in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, or other regional jurisdictions based on the case. Our attorneys understand how to navigate each court system, comply with local rules, and handle the federal statutes relevant to aviation litigation.
We strive for transparency at every stage. Clients receive regular updates and clear explanations, and we treat everyone who turns to us with the care and dignity they deserve.
Every client is treated like family, so you are never alone in facing this process.
Speak to a Helicopter Accident Lawyer in Baton Rouge Today
If a helicopter crash has changed your life, you do not have to face this challenge alone. We offer free, confidential consultations to help you understand your legal options and the immediate support available to your family. When helicopter operators cut corners on maintenance or safety, we hold them accountable. Our helicopter accident lawyers in Baton Rouge are ready to protect your rights, answer your questions, and guide you through every step with confidence and compassion. You will never pay us unless we recover a verdict or settlement for you.
Call (888) 493-1629 now to speak with an experienced member of our team. We are here when you need us.
