Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers | July 4, 2024 | Premises Liability
Rushing through an airport to get to your gate on time can be a stressful experience. With long security lines and last-minute flight cancellations, you already have enough to worry about. Wondering if the airport is safe shouldn’t be one more concern.
Unfortunately, injuries happen every day at airports, especially large ones like John F. Kennedy International Airport. Nearly 30 million passengers fly in and out of JFK annually. With so many people visiting the busy hub, accidents are bound to happen. But who’s responsible if an airport visitor gets injured?
Common Types of Airport Accidents
Airport staff do their best to maintain a safe environment, both for the well-being of travelers and employees and to protect themselves from costly lawsuits. Some hazards are unavoidable, but others can occur due to negligence on the part of the airport or individual employees.
Common causes of injuries at JFK include:
- Defective equipment like luggage conveyor belts
- Obstacles that lead to slip and fall accidents
- Elevator, escalator, and moving walkway malfunctions
- Improperly installed or poorly maintained flooring materials
- Airport shuttle collisions
- Jetway malfunctions
- Transportation accidents inside the airport
These accidents can result in many types of injuries, including:
- Scrapes, cuts, and contusions
- Strained or sprained muscles
- Broken bones
- Amputated digits
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
To minimize the possibility of accidents, airport managers and personnel are responsible for maintaining safety in and around the airport property.
Determining Liability
For a personal injury claim to be successful, the victim must be able to prove negligence. However, doing so isn’t always as easy as you may think. New York follows a pure comparative negligence system, which means if the injured party is found to be partly at fault for their accident, their eligible compensation can be reduced accordingly.
For example, if you were hurt by a malfunctioning escalator but were attempting to run up the downward-moving steps at the time the injury occurred, you would potentially receive a smaller award for your losses.
On the other hand, if a maintenance worker failed to post a “wet floor” sign after mopping and their error led you to slip and fall, the airport could be found 100% liable for your accident.
Premises liability law, which holds property owners responsible for injuries that occur on their properties, is another key consideration with airport injuries. You may need to file a claim against the government, business, and/or private individual.
Any of the following entities could be deemed liable depending on where and how an injury takes place:
- The injured party
- New York City (the airport owner)
- Individual airlines
- Airport concession owners/operators
- Third-party contractors, such as TSA staff or restaurant employees
When you file a claim, your personal injury lawyer will help determine which party or parties can be held accountable for your accident.
What Does an Airport Personal Injury Lawsuit Cover?
You may be eligible for financial compensation after sustaining an injury at an airport. Every case is different, but you may be able to recover damages for such losses as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of life enjoyment
The size of your award will depend on many factors, starting with the values attached to these categories.
Contact Our Premises Liability Law Firm in New York City
If you or someone you know has been hurt in an accident at JFK International Airport, there are ways to seek justice and fair compensation. The best course of action is to seek medical care even if you think your injury is minor. It’s also wise to consult a premises liablity attorney to learn more about your legal rights and how to protect them.
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Manhattan, NY, and need legal help, contact our New York City premises liability lawyers at Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers
100 Wall St 24th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007
