Widow of paramedic killed in medevac crash files l

[kom526]

If you want to sue to make sure that the weather is updated better you can do that for a lot LESS than 15 million

iPhone has an app for that.

 

[bohman]

iPhone has an app for that.

Pilot error played a part here, but there were plenty of ATC errors as well. I read a long article in the Post about this some time back. It took ATC hours just to figure out that the helo had crashed - basically just assumed that they had landed at Andrews and were fine. I don't remember all the details, but multiple errors stacked on top of each other to lead to both the crash and the excessively long time that it took to get any rescue equipment to the crash site. Could someone's life have been saved had the crash been found more quickly?

Is this lawsuit warranted? On the face of it, no. I understand why a lot of people think that this is just money-grubbing. And maybe it is. But if no procedural changes have been made since the crash, and the potential exists for the same chain of events to happen again, I could understand a widow using a lawsuit to force some action.

 

[greeneyes36]

As a state trooper/paramedic killed in the line of duty, his life insurance more than likely tripled... most line of duty deaths put the payout in the range of $3-4M... she's already receiving money, dont think this is a get rich quick scheme...she's already there, however, minus her husband.

 

[G1G4]

Don't know why she's suing for as much as she's suing for, but some things people have said are pretty far left field.
First, the weather report he had was old. It stated that the ceiling was within limits for him to fly within the time range he needed to fly. It also said there was no rain and fog, when in fact, rain was moving in. At the time, their pilots almost unanimously used VFR instead of IFR when doing passenger pickup.
Next, the helo they were flying (Trooper 2) was the oldest active helo in their fleet. It hadn't undergone an upgrade as the other helos had. At the time, only three of the MSP helo's had a TAW (terrain awareness warning) device, Trooper 2 did not.
He was diverting his flight from the trauma center to land at Andrews as conditions were deterorating. He asked for an ILS approach and said he was having trouble with his glide scope, which is an obvious indication that he was using his instruments.
The pilot was technically current on his flight instruments, but the MSP did not have a training program in place for their pilots to practice and be proficient with them.
The NTSB made no bones about saying the pilot made in an error in judgement about the weather. They also openly said the air traffic controllers didn't do a good enough job to prevent the crash.
Since the MSP aviation program is pubilically funded, they didn't have to follow FAA requirements placed upon private medevac programs. My only guess as to why she didn't sue the MSP or state of Maryland is because they've made efforts to make their equipment safer.

 

[Baja28]

There are many other news articles about this issue. The widow's attorney stated this law suit is intended to "hold the people accountable who didn't protect those who protect us." In 2008, atleast 28 people were killed nationwide in Medivac crashes. I don't know the causes of all the crashes. However, in this case I remember reading the NTSB's findings, they cited Air Traffic Controllers Errors & Inattention contributed to this crash. The pilot was enroute to the hospital when he radio'd he was having trouble with his glide scope and requested an emergency landing approach at Andrews. The controller radio'd back telling the pilot she wasnt current or qualified for that. Two ambulances were disbatched at Andrews waiting for the pilot who never showed up. Are you forgetting the controller assumed the pilot landed at Andrews? As two ambulances were disbatched to meet the helo? HELLO, it took 2 HOURS to locate the crashed Helo. Who didnt do their job? Maybe she'll win the lawsuit, maybe she wont. I hope this brings attention to problems that need to be corrected.

Well I suggest you wear a bracelet stating that you are NOT to be put on a medevac under any circumstances.

And it's disPatched and medEvac.

 

[Bann]

This will be decided in court; but if you were given some outdated misinformation and it resulted in an accident that caused the death of someone wouldn't you want to persue it to prevent the death of others?
Not all lawsuits are frivolous and for profit.

They are if they're for $15 million dollars!

She's definitely out to make a profit, because if her spouse was worth $15 million, she wouldn't be worried about suing. Even if there WAS an error, it was still an accident. Tragic, fatal - accident.

I could see suing for damages that may have resulted from his death: medical expenses she was left with, funeral expenses,etc.

Life insurance is to replace the loss of income your dependents would lose if you die. As a flight paramedic,he was a paid employee of the state. He must have had insurance. I would guess it was good insurance if he was flying regularly as a flight paramedic.

Maybe this woman is still in grief and getting bad advice. I think it's a travesty of a lawsuit.