Dead man’s estate sued over accident

Tuesday, Nov. 30, 1999 | 11:21 a.m.

A Las Vegas man sued Jackie Palm as special administrator for the estate of Victor Allen Pappadato, alleging Pappadato violated the United States Parachute Association's safety regulations and caused the plaintiff's injuries in a group skydive at Skydive Las Vegas Inc. in Boulder City.

In a Clark County District Court suit, Joseph Herbst alleged Pappadato, who died in the eight-member skydive on May 10, 1998, failed to adhere to a skydiving formation plan and during the course of descent allegedly collided into Herbst and rendered him unconscious.

Herbst alleged Pappadato, a U.S. Parachute Association member who was asked by the skydiving group to join in the skydive and to record a videotape of the event, also failed to properly inspect his parachute -- which Herbst said had structural defects.

The defendant could not be reached for comment.

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