The Lawsuit Summary concerning PHI-748P
Suit#1 – vs. PHI - There is a wrongful death suit filed in a Terrebonne Parish state court on behalf of Britain Boudreaux, passenger, accuses Lafayette-based PHI Inc. of negligence. This one was filed within 7 days of the accident.
Suit#2 - vs. PHI - The suit, filed by the wife of 35-year-old Jorey Anthony Rivero Sr., of Bridge City, who worked for MMR Offshore Services, was faxed Thursday to the Terrebonne Clerk of Court’s Office. Lawyers for Toni Rivero, his widow, allege Petroleum Helicopters Inc., of Lafayette, is liable for the fatal crash.
****Both lawsuits claim the company is responsible under the legal doctrine of “res ipsa loquitur,” Latin for “the thing speaks for itself,” which in this case means that the deaths of the passengers in the crash could not have occurred unless the company was negligent in some way, lawyers contend.
Suit #3 – vs. Sikorsky - PHI Pilot Thomas Ballenger’s (PIC on flight), widow has filed suit against Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. Her suit is blaming the accident on the “defective condition” of the chopper. Greg Allen, lawyer for Ballenger, said the noise reported by investigators points to "some form of catastrophic failure" before the crash, even if the engines didn't fail. He said "other components" that could have caused the noise and the crash still haven't been ruled out. "The complaint alleges the crash resulted as a direct and proximate result of defective conditions existing in the S-76C++ helicopter," a press release from the law firm states.
Last edited by buckeem; 24th Feb 2009 at 18:16.
Reason: corrected spelling