Helicopter Crash Survivor Floated In Gulf Of Mexico For Several Several Hours
On Sept. 6, 2005, plaintiff Melvin Pace, late 20s, an oil rig roustabout, was being taken by helicopter to an offshore oil rig. There were 10 passengers and two crew members on the Sikorsky 76A rig helicopter, which was owned and operated by Houston Helicopters Inc. About 30 miles offshore from Sabine Pass, one engine caught fire, then the other. The helicopter crashed and sank.The helicopter had emergency floats, but they were partially torn in the impact with the water, and the helicopter capsized and sank shortly after crashing. The copilot believed that he had transmitted a mayday, but Houston Helicopter did not notice the missing flight for several hours, and no electronic location transmitter was on board.
Pace sued Houston Helicopters, alleging that its negligence proximately caused the crash, and that the company failed to properly track and communicate with its aircraft.
The helicopter could not be recovered, and the exact cause of the crash was unknown, but about two months before trial, Houston Helicopter stipulated to liability.
Pace and the other occupants sustained chemical burns from aviation fuel, and rescue was uncertain for about seven hours. Several of the life jackets began to lose flotation, requiring regular reinflation. The emergency equipment included a single bottle of water and no flares, dye, flashlights, strobes or other means of signaling overhead flights.
About an hour after being notified by the well-operating company, the Coast Guard was able to locate and rescue the men.
Pace sustained a herniation at L5-S1, requiring a discectomy and fusion in May 2006. He also claimed flashbacks, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder relating to the crash and time in the water. Around January 2007, he was released for work, with restrictions of lifting no more than 40 pounds and limited repetitive bending, stretching and twisting. Since then, he worked part-time for his brother in a construction business in Mississippi.
Pace claimed that he would need future doctor visits, diagnostic studies and medication for his physical and psychological injuries.
His past medical bills were $65,324.09, much of which was paid by his employer.
He claimed $275,000 in future medical bills; $65,324.09 in past medical bills; $3,033,169 in future lost earning capacity; $10,201 in past lost earning capacity; and unspecified amounts for pain and suffering, physical impairment and disfigurement, all in the past and future.
Houston Helicopter argued that Pace is a young, motivated man who has made a good recovery, adding that he has the support of his family, and intends to return to full-time work.
One of Pace’s retained experts, Robert Voogt, came down with a serious ear and upper respiratory infection that prevented traveling to trial. Voogt appeared via live webcast instead, which is believed to be a first for Brazoria County.
The jury found that Pace’s damages were $2,160,000.
Melvin Pace
$5,000 Personal Injury: Past Medical Cost
$175,000 Personal Injury: Future Medical Cost
$200,000 Personal Injury: Past Physical Impairment
$150,000 Personal Injury: Future Physical Impairment
$110,000 Personal Injury: Past Lost Earnings Capability
$750,000 Personal Injury: FutureLostEarningsCapability
$500,000 Personal Injury: Past Pain And Suffering
$200,000 Personal Injury: Future Pain And Suffering
$50,000 Personal Injury: Past Disfigurement
$20,000 Personal Injury: Future Disfigurement