Military Accidents
The law firm of Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman is honored to represent the brave men and women who serve our country in uniform. If you or a loved one have been harmed in a military accident and would like to speak with an experienced attorney and Marine Corps veteran, please call 800-827-0087 today for a free case evaluation.
Military injuries and deaths stemming from aviation disasters, ground transportation accidents and military training exercises, are on the rise. According to data from the Naval Safety Center, the number of ground and aviation mishaps per 100,000 Marines in 2017 rose to 10.49, up roughly 60 percent from 2014.
At least 56 service members from all branches of the military were injured or killed in a non-combat military training accident between June 2017 and early November of the same year. The sharp increase in non-combat military accidents prompted operational pauses in the Navy, the Marine Corps and the Air Force. The uptick also captured the attention of Pentagon officials who are investigating possible causes.
Active duty service members are not eligible to pursue claims against the United States Government for injuries or death in military accidents. However, they may bring a lawsuit against the manufacturers of a product that caused or contributed to a military accident, or any third party whose negligence contributed to an accident.
The law firm of Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman has experience representing members of the Armed Forces who were injured or lost their lives in preventable military transportation accidents. Our firm has litigated against some of the largest aviation and ground transportation companies in the world on behalf of service members, obtaining justice and compensation.
Military Attorney Timothy A. Loranger
During his time in the Marine Corps, Mr. Loranger worked as an aircraft mechanic at the Marine Corps and Navy Air Stations in El Toro, California; San Diego, California; Memphis, Tennessee; and Jacksonville, Florida. The focus of his training and work was on RF-4b, F/A-18, and C-130 aircraft at both the squadron and intermediate maintenance levels.
As a Marine, Mr. Loranger developed a passion for aviation and aviation safety. Now as a civilian, that passion is expressed in the air as an pilot and in the courtroom as a transportation attorney and safety advocate.
Schedule a consultation with Timothy Loranger or call 800-827-0087 to speak with Baum Hedlund’s Los Angeles office regarding our experience in handling military accidents.
Military Aviation Accidents
Every year, our Armed Forces lose brave men and women in preventable military aviation accidents caused by faulty manufacturing, design flaws or maintenance negligence. At Baum Hedlund, we are committed to holding accountable any responsible parties that needlessly put service members in harm’s way.
Military Helicopter Crashes
According to statistics from HeliHub, 246 lives were lost over the span of a recent year in military helicopter crashes. Some of these incidents occurred in war zones, while others happened at home in the United States. It is possible that the number of military helicopter crashes is actually higher than the number reflected in public statistics, as some crashes that occur in conflict areas can go unreported. In other circumstances, there simply isn’t enough information on the incident for a report to be filed.
If a helicopter crash is caused by negligent maintenance of civilian contractors or defective parts, it is possible for men and women in uniform, civilians or their families to file a lawsuit. Even if a crash occurs internationally, it is possible to bring the responsible parties to justice if they are subject to U.S. laws.
As an example, if a defective part in a helicopter engine is found to be a contributing factor in an international military accident and the manufacturer of that part is a U.S. company, the manufacturer is subject to U.S. jurisdiction, regardless of where the helicopter crash occurred.
Our Military Helicopter and VSTOL Accident Cases
Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman has experience representing victims and their families who were harmed in military helicopter and VSTOL crashes. Read more about our cases below:
- March 16, 2013 – A Kiowa Warrior OH-58D military helicopter crashed in Kandahar, Afghanistan, killing two Army soldiers. Baum Hedlund represented the families of both soldiers in their case against the manufacturers of defective parts in the helicopter’s engine.
- Aug. 8, 2011 – An AH-6M “Little Bird” military helicopter crashed at Fort Benning, Georgia, killing two Army soldiers. Baum Hedlund represents the family of one of the deceased, Chief Warrant Officer Steven Redd, a decorated combat veteran.
Military Plane Crashes
Just like general or commercial aviation accidents, military plane crashes are caused by a wide variety of factors, including pilot error, negligent maintenance, aircraft defects (or component part defects), air traffic controller error, or dangerous weather conditions.
While military pilots receive the best possible training, on occasion, they are required to fly aircraft that:
- Could be considered too old to be in service
- Have defective component parts
- Were negligently maintained by a third party civilian contractor
If a mechanical defect should occur during a critical phase of flight, even the best pilots in the world can be pushed to the limits to keep themselves and those traveling with them safe.
While it is true that service members killed or injured in a military plane crash are restricted from taking legal action against the government, a military aviation lawsuit may be filed against the plane’s manufacturer and/or the manufacturer(s) of component parts if they are defective. The same can be said if a third party maintenance company is negligent in performing maintenance on an aircraft or aircraft component or system.
The challenge lies in proving that the plane or its components were “unreasonably dangerous” due to defective design and/or manufacture, or was negligently maintained by a contractor. This is why it is vital to have an experienced attorney who understands the complexities of crash investigations and evidence gathering as your advocate.
Our Military Plane Accident Cases
Our firm has been litigating military plane crash cases since the 1980s. Click on the links below to read more about our cases:
- July 10, 2017 – A Marine Corps KC-130T plane experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure and crashed in Mississippi, killing 15 Marines and one Navy Corpsman. Baum Hedlund is honored to represent the families of several victims who lost their lives in this tragedy.
- Dec. 12, 1985 – A McDonnell Douglas DC-8-63CF jetliner operating as Arrow Air Flight 1285 crashed near Gander Airport in Newfoundland, Canada. The Army chartered the plane from Cairo, Egypt to Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Baum Hedlund represented the families of three soldiers killed in the crash.
Military Vehicle Accidents
According to data from the Naval Health Research Center, military vehicle accidents are a major source of non-combat injuries. During Operation Desert Storm, military vehicle accidents accounted for nearly 20 percent of all non-combat hospital admissions.
While the terrain in warzones like Iraq and Afghanistan present challenges for safe driving, military vehicle accidents are also prevalent outside of operational environments. A Government Accountability Office (GAO) analysis found that military vehicles were the leading cause of over 1,100 military personnel fatalities attributable to on-duty, non-aviation accidents.
Oftentimes, military vehicle drivers are young adults who do not have many years of driving experience, which can lead to accidents. Other variables, such as terrain, weather, vehicle maintenance, or mechanical issues can also be factors contributing to military vehicle crashes.
Our Military Vehicle Accident Cases
Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman has represented both military personnel and civilians who were injured or killed in military vehicle crashes. Investigating these accidents and uncovering evidence can be challenging, which is why it is in your best interest to hire a military attorney with experience litigating these types of cases.
Learn more our military vehicle accident cases by clicking the links below:
- On Sept. 13, 2017, 14 Marines and a Navy Sailor were injured in an amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) fire that broke out during a combat readiness training exercise at Camp Pendleton in California. Baum Hedlund is honored to represent a brave service member who was severely burned in this tragic accident.
- On April 19, 2013, a woman was killed after a Marine Corps Humvee collided with her vehicle in a head-on collision in an unincorporated part of San Bernardino County, California. Baum Hedlund filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the woman’s family, alleging the crash was caused by drowsy driving.
Law Firm Handling Military Accidents
Companies that put profit over the safety of men and women in the military should be held accountable for their misdeeds. When military accidents cause injury or death, filing a lawsuit against the responsible parties can provide victims and their families with compensation in a time of need and help deter future reckless conduct by negligent companies.
To speak with an attorney about filing a claim, please call us at 800-827-0087 or fill out our contact form.