Who is Liable For Injuries Sustained at an Airport? 

Any accident that results in an injury can be a life altering experience, but being hurt in the airport on your way home or to a destination is another type of headache entirely. An accident can happen at any time, and the manner of your injury may help you plan your next steps accordingly. The most important thing after an accident is your recovery, followed by getting compensation for your damages. Where this compensation comes from is not so simple though. 

Determining liability for your injuries in an airport accident can be complicated. In this article, we discuss the steps you should follow after an airport incident results in harm to you or a loved one.

What Should I Do First? 

Before you figure out who is liable, the first things to do are always the same. First, make sure you get checked out and get your injuries taken care of. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may need transportation to an emergency room immediately. In a less urgent situation, a checkup with your regular doctor may suffice. 

Next, you’ll want to contact an injury attorney. This will start the process of getting your case put together so that once you determine liability for your accident, you can seek financial compensation. Make sure to get documentation of your injuries and only speak to your attorney while your case is ongoing as you risk damaging your case if you talk to anyone else. 

Figuring Out Who is At Fault For Your Injuries 

Determining fault in your airport accident can get pretty complex. The airport can be legally liable, a third party business or entity may be responsible, or another passenger or individual may be responsible. 

What ultimately determines liability for your airport accident is where the accident happened, who ultimately perpetrated the accident, and the circumstances leading up to the accident. 

For example, if you suffer a slip and fall while getting off of the airplane, as a result of a spill on the ramp or some other issue, then the party at fault would ultimately be the airport. You would want to take pictures and acquire testimony as to the nature of your slip and fall before filing a claim against the airport. 

However, say that the same slip and fall occurs in a restaurant inside the airport, then it is most likely that the restaurant would be held responsible for your accident as it was within their restaurant that your fall happened. The same conditions would apply, but the party at fault would change based on location. 

In a third scenario, perhaps you are harmed by the actions of a fellow passenger. Maybe their luggage protruded into the aisle and caused you to fall, or a physical altercation occurred. Depending on the situation, you may then have a lawsuit against the other passenger(s) involved. 

How Will Your Claim Progress?

If your claim is against the airport or another company, then you will need a legal team on your side to help deal with the opposing attorney and insurance investigators that will inevitably be involved in the situation. This is why documentation is so important.

Your attorney will help you through the process and make sure that you have the strongest case possible by gathering evidence such as photos, security video, witness testimony and anything else to make sure that your claims are proven true. This way you have the best chance of gaining maximum compensation for your injuries. 

We hope these tips help you if you find yourself dealing with an accident in an airport.