A Known Defect, a Stolen Future

For offshore workers like our client, Jimmy, helicopter travel is just part of the job. But what should have been a routine takeoff from an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico became a life-altering nightmare. The helicopter crashed, not due to an unavoidable accident, but because of a fractured tail rotor shaft—a critical defect that should have been caught during a routine inspection.

This wasn’t just a mechanical failure; it was a devastating betrayal of trust. The helicopter’s manufacturer knew about the potential for problems with this very shaft, yet they neglected to ensure the issue was corrected. Jimmy survived the crash, but his life would never be the same. A permanent knee injury left him unable to perform the demanding work he once loved, facing a future without his livelihood and struggling to adapt to new physical limitations.

When a critical injury ends a career, the victim faces not just physical pain but overwhelming financial uncertainty. Jimmy, a dedicated offshore worker, could no longer climb the endless stairs and ladders his job required without intense pain. To make matters worse, the initial jury verdict went against him, leaving him with a lifetime of lost wages and no justice.

Fighting to Overturn an Injustice

At Broussard Knoll Law Firm, we knew this wasn’t just about a crash; it was about the manufacturer’s deep-seated negligence that led to a lifetime of altered dreams. We refused to accept the initial verdict.

Our legal team undertook a complex battle, fought twice in Federal Court. After the crushing initial defeat, we worked tirelessly to prove that the verdict was against the overwhelming weight of the evidence. We successfully convinced the trial court to grant a new trial, refusing to let an injustice stand.

Through relentless motion practice, expert medical, and vocational testimony, our team meticulously built Jimmy’s case for the second time. We presented undeniable evidence that his permanent knee injury directly prevented him from ever performing his former offshore duties. Both the Appellate Court and the Louisiana Supreme Court affirmed our arguments, upholding the justice we sought.

The jury’s final verdict was clear and vindicating: it included over $800,000.00 for future lost wages. This substantial award provides Jimmy with the financial resources he desperately needed to replace his lost income, giving him the means to live comfortably and enjoy his life, even with his new physical limitations. It ensures that the manufacturer’s negligence won’t define his entire future.

“From the first visit, the professional and compassionate way I was greeted continued throughout my association with Steven. I was made to feel comfortable and confident in the decisions we made. The integrity and overall handling of my case made me feel I could trust this firm in any legal matter.”

Broussard Knoll Law Firm Client

“This is just a classic example of a big-money defendant refusing to pay what they owe and forcing a case to trial. Because we were prepared and never gave up, our client got what he deserved.”

Steven Broussard
Partner & Trial Lawyer