Daniel Roy b. Robinson Helicopter Company, Inc.

Los Angeles, California personal injury lawyer represented the Plaintiff on a wrongful death product liability theory.



In July 2021, plaintiffs filed suit against Robinson in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, asserting claims of negligence, strict products liability, wrongful death, and breach of warranties in connection with the helicopter crash that killed the decedent. Roy was appointed the trustee of the Estate of Stephane Roy by the Quebec Superior Court of Justice,[4] and Longpre is the decedent's mother. The complaint alleged that Robinson designs, manufactures, and sells the model R44 helicopter. Robinson also manufactured the rotor blades on this model of helicopter. The complaint alleged the rotor blades have an extensive history of debonding.



The model R44 helicopter at issue in this case was imported to Canada in December 2009. It was purchased by a company in which the decedent was a shareholder. On July 10, 2019, the helicopter experienced a mechanical failure and crashed during flight in Quebec, killing the decedent. Examination of the wreckage demonstrated that the rotor blades' rotational speed had dropped to a level insufficient to maintain flight. One of the rotor blades was found with multiple adhesive failures. The complaint alleged a "debonded rotor blade will cause significant vibrations during flight, making the helicopter incapable of continued safe flight." The complaint thus asserted the helicopter was defective.



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Legal issue Can a California court dismiss or stay an action on forum non conveniens grounds in favor of Quebec when the incident, decedent, and plaintiffs are Canadian, despite the defendant being a California corporation?



Key Phrases Personal representative. Forum non conveniens. Helicopter crash. Public interest factors. International Civil Aviation Convention.

Affirmed