Setareh Law
January 19, 2025
If you’ve been injured in an aviation accident while traveling for business or vacation during the holidays, the impact can go far beyond a ruined trip. What was supposed to be a memorable experience has instead left you dealing with painful injuries and mounting medical bills. Contacting the airlines or dealing directly with their insurance companies may not get you the compensation you deserve for your pain.
At Setareh Law, we are committed to fighting for our clients, ensuring they receive the support and compensation they need for their recovery. Based in California, our attorneys have years of experience in personal injury law and are prepared to guide you through the airport injury claims process.
Common Causes of Airport Injuries During the Holiday Season
Airports experience a dramatic uptick in foot traffic during the holiday travel period from mid-December to New Year’s Day. More travelers often lead to more heightened travel risks, and some common causes of injuries in busy airports include:
- Slippery floors
- Uneven walkways
- Unattended spills
These hazards are perilous when combined with the distractions of holiday travel, such as rushing to catch flights. Understanding these risks is key to identifying liability and pursuing a legal claim.
How to Determine Liability in an Airport Injury Case
When an injury occurs at an airport, it’s important to identify who may be responsible for the incident. Depending on the details surrounding your airport accident, potential at-fault parties may include:
The Role of the Airport Authority
If an injury happens in an area managed by the airport—such as a terminal, parking lot, or other public spaces—they may be held accountable for failing to address unsafe conditions. For example, if you fall due to an unmarked spill on the terminal floor or are hurt by poor maintenance, the airport authority could be liable for neglecting its duty to ensure a safe environment.
Responsibility of Airlines
While airlines focus primarily on passenger safety during the flight, they are also responsible for ensuring passenger safety during boarding, deplaning, and any time spent in an airline-operated area. Injuries caused by negligence, such as slipping on a wet boarding bridge or being struck by unsecured items in the cabin, can point to airline liability. If an accident happens because the airline staff ignored proper safety protocols or neglected an unsafe condition, the airline could be considered liable for your injury.
Third-Party Contractors and Maintenance
Third-party contractors hired for maintenance, cleaning, and equipment management can also be held accountable. If your injury happens due to a third-party contractor’s actions (or lack thereof), they may hold the liability rather than the airport or airline.
What Are Common Types of Airport Accident Injuries?
Injuries at airports can occur in many different ways, often caused by unsafe conditions or negligent practices. Whether it’s from a simple slip or a more serious accident involving airport vehicles, these injuries can cast a dark shadow over your well-being and travel experience.
The most common types of injuries that occur in airports include:
Falling Luggage
When overhead bins aren’t adequately secured, or if luggage handling is careless, falling bags can cause painful injuries to passengers below.
Accidents Involving Airport Vehicles
Airports use various vehicles, such as baggage carts and passenger shuttles. Accidents involving these vehicles, whether due to operator error or poor maintenance, can lead to serious harm.
Escalator and Elevator Accidents
Improper maintenance of escalators and elevators can lead to falls or injuries caused by malfunctioning or unsecured moving parts.
Jet Bridge Injuries
Jet bridges connect the terminal to aircraft and can pose a hazard if they’re misaligned or poorly maintained, potentially causing passengers to trip and fall as they board or exit planes.
Get Help With Your Airport Injury Claim From Setareh Law
Determining liability in an airport injury case can be a complicated process. Given the challenges involved, seeking guidance from skilled legal counsel is essential. At Setareh Law, we are committed to ensuring you receive the compensation you need to recover from your injuries caused by another party’s negligent acts.
If you’ve been injured at an airport, don’t wait to take action. Our California injury lawyers are here to guide you through this challenging time. Call our office at (310) 659-1826 or complete a contact form to schedule a free consultation. We also speak Spanish.
