HC:
On this side of the pond, it is called the "deep pockets" tort litigation. Not sure what you call it on your side of the pond. Beyond the operating company, other deep pockets candidates are whomever built the aircraft and whomever built critical sub systems that may play a part in a crash.
I will offer a guess that the operating company in this case can't duck liability as it was one of their aircraft that was involved in the incident. Should they choose to end the employment of one or both pilots involved is another matter.
GR3a
Can someone give a selection of examples where these "insurance sharks" have dropped any commercial helicopter pilots 3rd party liability claim and the pilot has then had to sell his wife to pay.
Pilot in such a case might have raised more funds by leasing her out on an hourly basis ...
