TV Cameraman Hurt in Crash Gets $13 Million
A former KTTV-TV cameraman was awarded $13 million Wednesday for injuries he suffered when a leased helicopter in which he was riding crashed after the Academy Awards ceremonies in 2000.
Before the monthlong trial, the defendants -- the Purwin Co., which owned the helicopter; its operator, Helinet Aviation Services, and pilot Kris Kelley -- admitted liability for the crash that crushed Phil Arno’s left leg and left him unable to resume his television career.
Arno, 53, wiped tears from his eyes as the verdict was read in the courtroom of Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Judith C. Chirlin.
The jury of seven men and five women took two days to decide the damages.
Jurors awarded $3.7 million to Arno, 53, for past economic and other damages and $9.4 million for future damages.
“Phil was blessed. He had a job that he loved, that he did well,” said one of his attorneys, Stanley K. Jacobs. “Today, everything that he worked for ... he will never be able to do again.”
Arno’s wife, Mary, an editor at the Los Angeles Times, settled her claim against the same defendants for $1 million in February.
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