Robert Young’s family will finally have the closure they’ve been waiting for. Six years after the Monroe businessman was killed in a plane crash in Oak Grove, a jury has awarded a settlement of $4 million to be paid by the company that manufactured the faulty engine that was seen to have been the cause of the crash. Teledyne Continental Motors, the company that manufactured the engine, will pay the settlement to Young’s family.

In January 2002, Young was returning home from a hunting camp in Arkansas, when the plane developed engine trouble. Before long, the plane had crashed into a field. Young died on impact.

His family alleged it was the faulty engine that caused the crash. Young had been an avid flying enthusiast, and there was nothing to suggest otherwise. There has been controversy about the judgment and the possibility of pilot error having caused the crash, but obviously a jury thought differently.

This is reportedly the largest civil settlement ever awarded in the area, and $4 million dollars is not an amount given away lightly. The jury must have seen damaging and solid evidence against TCM to take away so much. When we take to the skies, we put our life in the hands of the engine manufacturers. Any engine defect can prove deadly when you are several miles about ground. This is why we must hold these manufacturers to the highest standards possible, and punish severely when they fall below these standards.

It would seem, based on the jury’s verdict, that TCM fell below these standards, and as a result, Robert Young paid the ultimate price. Being a prominent member of society, he will be missed by his community, and by his family. There was no financial need for this family to pursue a settlement. Money wasn’t the reason here. They most likely wanted to absolve their father of any errors on his part, which may have caused the crash. They obviously believed very strongly in the defective nature of the engine, and believed that pursuing the case and clearing Young’s name was more important than the money. Now, it appears that they can finally call the matter closed.

If you or a loved one have been injured or killed in a plane crash, you need the help of an experienced California personal injury attorney. Contact a lawyer at The Reeves Law Group for a free consultation.