Medical Helicopter Accidents on the Rise

Walton Barber, LLP

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The National Transportation Safety Board has expressed concern about a rash of accidents involving medical aircraft. Last weekend two medical helicopters collided in Arizona , killing six people, and severely injuring a nurse.

While we have always dealt with the occasional accident involving medical aircraft, we are in the midst of what is being described as a disturbing trend. There have been an increasing number of these types of accidents since the 1990s, and already this year there have been nine accidents involving emergency medical aircraft, causing the death of 16 people.

Why the increase? Experts believe it's caused by a number of factors, including the closing of emergency rooms in rural areas, an aging population, and simply the increase in numbers of medical helicopters, which have nearly doubled in the last ten years.

Walton Barber LLP is a San Diego County law firm representing individuals and families throughout San Diego County in matters involving personal injury, wrongful death, nursing home abuse and neglect, and real estate litigation.