Beltran v. Boeing, et al.

Featured In: The Daily Journal

Landmark Case:

The Settlement:

$13.5 Million

Trial attorney(s):

Kevin Boyle, Brian Panish

Practice Areas:

Aviation Disasters, Catastrophic Injury, Product Defects

Case Synopsis:

A Los Angeles judge approved a settlement against Boeing and other companies associated with the manufacturing of the Apache Longbow helicopter amounting to $13.5 million. Brian Panish and Kevin Boyle of Panish | Shea | Boyle | Ravipudi LLP represented Juan Beltran and Ron Carns, the lead plaintiffs in the case, who sustained catastrophic spinal injuries as a result of the August 2003 crash. The accident occurred during a maintenance flight and resulted when the aircraft’s gearbox failed.

“It was like a smoke alarm that failed when it sensed smoke.”
–Kevin Boyle, Panish | Shea | Boyle | Ravipudi LLP

While the U.S. Army is immune from liability, the manufacturers of aircraft and aircraft parts are not. Boeing Company, Honeywell International Inc., Chadwick-Helmuth Electronics Inc., MPB Corp., and Aircraft Gear Corp were, therefore, all deemed responsible for faulty manufacturing, and ordered to pay more than $13.5 million in damages to Beltran and Carns. Specifically, it was determined that the helicopter’s gearbox and accelerometer were the cause for malfunction and subsequent crash. Beltran is now a quadriplegic as a result of the spinal injuries he sustained during the crash. Carns had to consequently have a metal device inserted in his neck and back. Beltran’s apportionment of the Settlement was $11.28 million, while Carns was awarded $2.3 million.