Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. v. Barger

Walter Barger was killed when the helicopter he was piloting crashed on a flight between fixed platforms on the Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico. Mr. Barger was employed by Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. (hereafter “PHI”); and, after his death, PHI voluntarily instituted payment of Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation benefits to his widow and children.

Mrs. Barger sued Bell Helicopter Tex-tron, the manufacturer of the helicopter, and Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. on the theory that the helicopter was a “vessel” and that Mr. Barger was a “seaman” within the meaning of the Jones…