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ARTICLE ID 6225

$________ Helicopter crash - Defective main rotor hub assembly causes main rotor blade to depart - T-12 incomplete paraplegia.

San Diego County, California

This products liability action arose out of a helicopter crash allegedly caused by a defective main rotor hub assembly, which the plaintiff contended caused a main rotor blade to depart while in flight. This resulted in the helicopter crashing into the South Pacific. The plaintiff helicopter pilot contended that he suffered spinal injuries resulting in T-12 paraplegia.

At the time of the events in question, the plaintiff was a helicopter pilot on a tug boat owned by Star-Kist, the M/V Eliza "M." On September 23, ________, the plaintiff was flying with the tuna boat captain when the helicopter began to shake violently and crashed into the South Pacific.

The plaintiff alleged that the main rotor hub assembly was defective, causing the main rotor blade to come loose while the helicopter was airborne. The plaintiff claimed that he was totally disabled as a result of the permanent injury suffered, alleging some $1.2 million in economic damages as well as non- economic damages.

The defendant contended that the helicopter was not defective, that no blade loss occurred and that the crash was solely attributable to pilot error.

The plaintiff demanded $________ in settlement. The defendant made no offer of settlement. The jury found for the plaintiff and returned a verdict of $________.

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