There are many dangerous conditions that can occur in high-traffic areas at airports, such as terminals, restrooms, cafes, parking garages, and lounges, that can give rise to slip and fall accidents when not quickly addressed. Spills, wet floors, uneven flooring, precipitation, and poor lighting are just a few examples of fall hazards that can cause serious injury to a victim. If you were hurt in a slip and fall at an airport due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to hold that party accountable by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Determining Liability for Airport Slip and Falls
Airports have a legal duty to provide a reasonably safe environment for travelers free from hazards. However, it’s not just the airport that could be held responsible for a slip and fall accident. Depending on the facts and circumstances — and the specific location in the airport where the slip and fall happened — the following parties may be held liable for negligence:
- The airport authority — The airport authority is responsible for maintaining common areas, such as the terminals, concourses, restrooms, and parking garages. If it knew about a dangerous condition (or should have known about it through reasonable inspection), and failed to remedy it or warn travelers, the authority could be held liable for any injuries that arise as a result.
- Concessionaires — Concessionaires, vendors, kiosks, and retail stores inside the airport leased spaces are responsible for maintaining their premises in a safe condition. These individual businesses may be held accountable for slip and falls that occur due to spills, defective flooring, and other dangerous conditions inside its designated area.
- Cleaning or maintenance company — If a cleaning or maintenance company failed to follow proper cleaning or safety procedures, it may be responsible for any accidents that arise in connection with its negligence. For example, if a cleaning company mopped a spill and did not place a “wet floor” warning sign, it could be held liable if a slip and fall occurred as a result.
- Individual airlines — An individual airline might incur responsibility for a slip and fall accident if it happened in an area it oversees, such as a waiting zone or boarding bridge.
In some cases, a lawsuit for a slip and fall at an airport may be filed against multiple defendants. Notably, it’s vital to understand that many airports are government-owned entities. Special rules, procedures, and statutes of limitation apply in these situations — and additional defendants may need to be brought into such a case. For example, as JFK International Airport is owned by the City of New York and operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, these government agencies might also be named in an airport slip and fall lawsuit.
Compensation for a Slip and Fall at an Airport
An airport slip and fall can cause a victim to suffer serious harm and require extensive medical treatment. A victim may also lose time from work and incur significant out-of-pocket expenses. By filing a personal injury action to hold the negligent party accountable, a victim may be entitled to recover the economic and non-economic damages they suffered due to the accident.
Recoverable damages in an airport slip and fall case can include compensation for the following:
- Unreimbursed medical expenses
- Costs of future medical treatment
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Lost wages
- Future lost earnings
- Pain and suffering damages
- Mental trauma and emotional anguish
- Disfigurement and disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
It’s essential to have a knowledgeable personal injury attorney by your side who can investigate your case and determine who should be held responsible for the harm you suffered. A personal injury attorney will also know how to properly value your claim to ensure you obtain the maximum monetary recovery available under the law.
Contact an Experienced New York Personal Injury Attorney
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident at an airport caused by another party’s negligence, you may be able to recover your economic and non-economic damages by filing a personal injury action. An experienced personal injury attorney can advise you regarding your legal rights and strive to obtain the maximum monetary recovery to which you’re entitled. The Dearie Law Firm, P.C., has represented victims of negligence for over three decades and provides aggressive advocacy to secure the best possible outcome in each unique case. Contact us today for a consultation.