Is an Airline Responsible for Accidents in Their Terminal?

There are many different parties that could ultimately be responsible for an injury at the airport. If you were hurt in the terminal waiting for a flight, you might have a viable case against the company responsible for managing the terminal. 

If you suffered an injury at an airport, determining who is at fault is only the first step in the process. In order to secure fair compensation for your injuries, you will also need to develop a theory of negligence. A personal injury lawyer from Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers could help build the strongest case possible. 

Who Is Typically Liable for Terminal Accidents?

Most of the time, the part that is responsible for managing an airport will be liable when injuries occur in the terminal. After all, these entities are responsible for everything that comes with managing an airport, including dealing with liability claims from third parties. 

The party that is in control of an airport terminal can vary. Some airports are privately owned or managed. In these situations, the private company that owns the airport is often liable for these accidents. 

There are also airports that are owned by government entities. This is most common when a municipality owns and operates an airport. Determining liability in these cases can be further complicated by the fact that publicly owned airports could be managed by private companies. The team at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers could help you unravel who is in control of these terminals. 

The Airline Could Be Liable

Even though the entity responsible for managing the terminal is often the first party sued for an injury, it is important to note that there are times when an airline could also be at fault for injuries that happen in the airport terminal. 

The most common situation where an airline might be at fault is when one or more of their employees causes an injury. This is because airlines are liable for the negligence that occurs at the hands of their employees. If an airline employee causes an injury within the terminal, both the employee and the airline might be liable for damages. This could happen if an airline employee injures a passenger while negligently pushing them in a wheelchair, causing them to fall. 

Not every area within an airport is treated the same. While the owner or operator of an airport is generally responsible for accidents that occur within the main terminals of an airport, the airline could be responsible for injuries in other places. This includes aboard the airplane or even in the jet bridge that connects the terminal to the plane.

For most people, the best option is to seek justice from as many potentially liable parties as possible. If there is a question on who is ultimately responsible for an injury, our firm can pursue legal action against every party that is liable. 

The Duty of Care Owed to Airline Passengers

Whether it is the manager of an airport or the airline that is responsible for a given location, there is a duty owed to the passengers that are present. Every passenger in an airport has the right to safe premises that are free of dangerous conditions. When airport managers and airlines fail to uphold this duty of care, they could be responsible for any injuries that happen in an airport terminal. 

It is important to understand that not every injury that occurs within an airport terminal will result in a viable case for compensation. The manager of an airport has a duty to protect passengers, but that duty involves taking reasonable steps to address hazards and prevent injuries from occurring. Some injuries happen despite the best efforts of the airlines and airport management. 

For example, passengers that ignore warnings of dangerous hazards or are involved in unreasonably dangerous behavior might not be entitled to a monetary award. This could involve passengers injured while roughhousing or in situations where a passenger failed to heed a wet floor sign. 

Ultimately, it is up to your attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve following an airport terminal injury. Let the team at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers help you determine if you are entitled to a monetary award. 

Common Airport Terminal Injuries

The nature of an injury can also play a role in determining who is at fault. The types of injuries that occur in airline terminals can vary, with some having more serious consequences than others. 

Falls

One of the most common causes of injury in an airline terminal is a slip, trip, and fall. There are countless hazards that could result in a fall in an airline terminal, and the risks of falling are made worse when an airport is busy. With numerous people moving quickly to catch flights, it should come as no surprise that tripping and falling happen all the time. 

Falling Objects

Some injuries result from being struck by falling objects in a terminal. This could result from luggage falling from overloaded carts to dangerous construction areas not being properly roped off. 

Negligent Security

Being victimized during a criminal act might also serve as the basis for a civil case. You could pursue a negligent security case if you can show that the airline or airport manager knew of an increased risk of criminal activity but failed to protect you.

Our Attorneys Can Determine Who Is Liable for Your Airline Injury

You might be entitled to compensation after being hurt in an accident at an airline terminal. However, identifying the party that is liable for your injuries is not always so simple. You deserve legal counsel that will help you pursue justice for your injuries. 

If you still have questions about whether an airline is responsible for an accident in an airport terminal, the team at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers could have the answers you need. Our firm has a track record of success we are proud of when it comes to advocating for the injured, and you see the impact we’ve had for yourself on our results page. Call right away for your free consultation.