Injuries Can Happen at the Airport
An airport is a busy place where many people try to get to different places in a hurry. Airports can be a hot spot for injuries. You might not think of airports as being dangerous places. But heavy machinery, working dogs, jetways high above the ground, wet floors, and many other hazards can lead to severe injuries at an airport. It is important to protect your legal rights after an airport injury.
If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, you have the right to be compensated for your losses. This includes your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and any other losses caused as a direct result of the injury. This is why it is important to consult with an experienced Los Angeles airport injury lawyer after an accident. Call Deldar Legal at (844) 335-3271 to schedule your free consultation. Our personal injury lawyers have years of experience helping injured Californians protect their legal right to compensation. We know how to handle airport injury cases, and we can help you during the difficult recovery period.
What are common airport injuries?
There are many ways to be injured in the hustle and bustle of a busy airport. Here are some of the most common injuries that occur:
- Slip and fall
- Injuries caused by escalators, elevators, and stairs
- Injuries on the jetway
- Injuries caused by heavy machinery
- Dog bites (from passengers’ dogs or working law enforcement dogs)
- Food poisoning (from airline food or food vendors within the airport)
- Injuries from falling equipment or luggage
- Car accidents in the airport garages or crossing into the terminal
Who is responsible for an airport injury?
The person or company who is legally at fault (“liable”) for causing your injuries also has a legal obligation to compensate you for those injuries. This is why it is important to determine just who is liable for your particular accident.
Airlines
Airlines fall under the legal definition of a “common carrier.” A common carrier is any person or company that transports members of the public in exchange for money. Common examples include taxi drivers, boat operators, railways, and other transportation companies. California law requires that common carriers “must use the utmost care and diligence for their safe carriage, must provide everything necessary for that purpose, and must exercise to that end a reasonable degree of skill.” This is a much stricter standard than the ordinary negligence standard of “reasonable care.” This standard makes it easier to hold an airline liable for injuries that occur to its passengers. It was given the go-forward following a two day testing period, which was carried out by the Gaming Control Board. To that effect, it was subjected to two days of necessary testing that was overseen by the gaming management board. And after two days later, the web portal for Aviator game casino was out there 24 hours a day, seven days per week. An airline might be held liable for injuries at its ticket counters or other places within the airport terminal under the airline’s control. An airline could be held liable for injuries within the aircraft (either before, during, or after the flight). An airline can also be held liable for the negligence of its contractors, such as food companies or baggage handling services. In general, any service or activity under the airline’s “control” must be performed with the utmost care and diligence.
TSA
Since September 11, 2001, the Transportation Security Administration has become a significant presence in all airports across the United States. The TSA has a vital mission to keep travelers safe both on the ground and in the air. But the TSA also has certain legal obligations to perform their tasks safely. If, for example, you are injured by a falling scanner, this could lead to the TSA being liable for the resulting injuries. There have been disturbing cases of passengers being assaulted by TSA agents during pat-downs and other inspections. This, too, has led to the TSA being liable for these passengers’ damages.
TSA commonly uses working dogs in the airports of California. These dogs are trained to sniff for drugs and explosive devices. They can, however, injure passengers as well as protect them. State laws differ on liability for dog bites sustained from a working law enforcement dog. In California, Section 3342 of the Civil Code provides specific circumstances in which a government agency is shielded from liability for bites sustained by its working dogs. These exceptions are generally related to the dog’s law enforcement work or when it is defending itself from harassment by the injury victim. If these exceptions do not apply, a government agency can be held liable for unprovoked attacks by its working dogs.
The company or municipality that manages the airport
Most airports have an overarching management structure. This might be the city in which the airport is located or a management company hired for the specific task of managing the airport. The city or company that manages the airport can be liable for negligence committed within the airport. It is important to consult with an experienced airport accident attorney to determine who is liable for causing your injuries. In some cases, both the airline and the airport management can be held liable for an accident on airport premises.
Food vendors
Tainted food can also lead to personal injuries. If you purchase food in the airport and become ill from food poisoning or tampering, the vendor can be liable for your injuries. If the food served on an airplane makes passengers sick, the food vendor and the airline can be held liable for these injuries. It can be challenging to know the source of food served on an airline. Many carriers purchase prepared meals from third-party contractors, who may, in turn, source their meals from several different suppliers. Here, too, it is important to work with an attorney who is experienced in food illness cases and can determine all the liable parties involved in your case.
Call Us Today to Schedule a Consultation with a California Aviation Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury at any airport, it is important to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer who knows how to handle these unique airport cases. Our experienced Los Angeles airport accident attorneys at Deldar Legal can protect your legal right to be compensated for your injuries. Call (844) 335-3271 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.