Russell W. Chappell v. McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co.
Published: Feb. 28, 1998 | Result Date: Feb. 3, 1998 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 708667 c/w 693454 Verdict – $2,741,000
Judge
Court
San Diego Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
James R. Lance
(Noonan, Lance, Boyer & Banach LLP)
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Ben Pessin
(technical)
Robert Waldron
(technical)
Kenneth Orloff
(technical)
Vasilios Kaperonis
(medical)
Eugene Silberberg
(technical)
Jane Vaccaro
(medical)
Ginger Hurt
(medical)
Thomas Wrona
(medical)
J. David Kocurek
(technical)
Defendant
Mel Vague
(technical)
Richard S.H. Lee
(technical)
Gary I. Fowler
(technical)
Stephen Crow
(technical)
Facts
Plaintiff Russell Chappell was a 55-year-old helicopter pilot on a tuna boat owned by Star-Kist, the M/V Eliza "M". On Sept. 23, 1994, plaintiff was flying with Paul Magellan, the tuna boat captain, when the helicopter began to shake violently and crashed into the ocean. The helicopter sank immediately after the crash and was never recovered. The plaintiff brought this product liability action against defendant manufacturer based on a design defect theory of recovery.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made an initial settlement demand for $1,827,000. The defendant made no offer.
Specials in Evidence
$146,531 $155,532 $380,598 $486,137
Damages
Plaintiff's attorney asked the jury for $1.2 million in economic damages, plus non-economic damages under Federal Maritime Law.
Injuries
The plaintiff suffered T-12 incomplete paraplegia.
Result
for plaintiff Chappell
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately three years and eleven months after the case was filed. This case was consolidated with the tuna boat captain's action against McDonnell Douglas.
Deliberation
six days
Length
18 days
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