When passengers suffer injuries in airport accidents, they may suffer broken bones, have been assaulted and detained illegally by airport staff, or face some other tragic happenstance. For example, what if the stewardess burned you or your small child with boiling hot coffee during turbulence? What if loose luggage fell on your head, giving you a concussion or brain damage?
People seeking compensation often try to research their legal options and find out whether they have a valid claim. Most people don’t think they can afford a law firm as it would represent some other expense they can’t deal with as they nurse torn ligaments after a fall case or some other incident. If you’ve suffered an injury at Ontario Airport on a slippery floor or from a falling piece of baggage, you may be wondering, “how can I sue Ontario Airport for personal injuries?”
Ehline Law and our personal injury attorneys understand how difficult it can be to navigate legal waters without an experienced attorney to guide you with the emotional trauma alone. Injured passengers are often confused about their rights and the legal process, which is why we’ve put together this guide to give you a starting point and address some of the essential questions you may have. We guarantee you we won’t charge a fee for a free consult, which is the best way to learn about any benefits for an injury-suffered attendant to flights to and from Ontario airport and anywhere in the country.
When Do You Have a Valid Ontario Airport Accident Personal Injury Claim?
Not all accidents warrant the need to file a personal injury claim. For example, if you’re walking distractedly at the airport, miss a warning sign, and slip on a freshly moped floor, you may not have a valid personal injury claim.
Airports are responsible for maintaining a safe environment for all passengers and protecting them from known hazards. An Airport must also conduct reasonable inspections to determine any hazards and take corrective action (whether placing warning signs or eliminating the risk) to prevent harm to the passengers.
Premises liability protects individuals from negligent property owners. In the case of Ontario International Airport, accident victims need to establish the elements of a premises liability negligence claim.
These include the following:
- The defendant is the property owner or occupier (Duty of care).
- The defendant failed to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition (Breach of duty of care).
- The defendant’s negligence or the breach resulted in injuries to the plaintiff (Causation).
- The plaintiff suffered damages (Damages).
An accident victim has a valid case against the Ontario International Airport if they’re able to establish the abovementioned critical elements of premises liability. It is crucial for injured victims to seek help from experienced personal injury attorneys to discuss their cases and learn more about their legal options.
Who Is Responsible for an Ontario Airport Slip and Fall Accident?
Typically, the airline is liable for injuries they cause while boarding and departing. But during your time at the terminal, many parties may qualify as defendants. A slip and fall accident is the most common type of accident that can occur on another’s premises, including off board at airport terminals. However, not all tripping or slip-and-fall accidents on the tarmac are due to the airport’s negligence.
Sometimes, an airport slip and fall accident may occur due to the passenger’s negligence, like spills they caused themselves. Perhaps they’re not watching their step, walking around distracted, or purposely walking into a hazard in hopes of recovering financial compensation. Each situation is different and will require a keen legal mind to sift through the details and win your action handily.
However, an airport may sometimes be negligent, resulting in an airport slip and fall accident. Lack of warning signs, loose handrails, lack of inspection and maintenance, and faulty escalators are some causes of slip and fall accidents for which injured victims can pursue compensation. If the right facts are present, it may only take months to resolve a claim. However, bringing closure can take years when the facts are convoluted, and we are tracking down witnesses like airline employees who are traveling often.
Common Injuries Sustained in an Airport Accident
Depending on the nature of the accident and its impact, passengers may sustain the following types of injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Hand or wrist injuries
- Lacerations, bruises, scrapes, and cuts
- Soft tissue injuries.
Injured passengers need to seek medical attention immediately after suffering injuries. Occasionally, an accident victim may not realize they’ve suffered serious injuries until a few hours or days later.
Often, symptoms of traumatic brain injuries can take time to manifest, and victims may avoid heading to a hospital as they may believe they’re experiencing a minor headache. A complete medical evaluation can help identify any internal damage to the brain and other body parts, allowing injured victims to start their medical treatment immediately.
Delays in medical treatment can prolong recovery, lead to medical complications, and jeopardize the victim’s personal injury claim. After seeking medical attention, it is crucial that injured victims speak to reputable personal injury lawyers to learn more about their legal options.
Should You Sue for Injuries at Ontario Airport?
Whether slip and fall accidents or any other airport accidents, it is crucial that accident victims pursue airport injury claims against the Ontario Airport to recover plenty of damages to last for the rest of their life.
An airport accident can leave a passenger with serious injuries, and depending on the severity of their injuries, they may experience physical and mental pain for days, weeks, months, or even years.
In severe cases involving spinal cord injury or a traumatic brain injury, some injured victims don’t recover and require life-long care. It can cause a victim to withdraw socially and lead to a financial burden that may run into hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical costs.
Suffering the consequences of an accident caused by another’s negligence is unfair, which is why accident victims must pursue legal action to recover the damages incurred.
What Can You Recover in an Ontario Airport Accident?
The recoverable damages vary from one case to another, but discussing your case with an experienced personal injury attorney can help determine the damages you are eligible for and receive guidance on getting maximum compensation.
Typically, injured victims can pursue the following damages after their accident:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life.
Pursuing a personal injury claim without legal representation means leaving money damages at the table. Many other damages may be available to you, and an experienced attorney may be able to assess and calculate the damages you may recover.
Statute of Limitations for Injuries Sustained at Ontario Airport
When an accident occurs, the victim only has a certain amount of time to pursue legal action to recover compensation which is dictated by the state’s statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations is the time frame accident victims have to pursue a claim or a lawsuit against the negligent party. It allows time for victims to bring civil action following their injuries but also protects the defendant from unfair legal actions, such as victims bringing a civil action long after their accident occurred.
Typically, under the California statute of limitations, victims have two years following their injuries to pursue legal action against the at-fault party to obtain monetary damages. Although the statute of limitations allows two years, it can be extended and shortened depending on certain circumstances, such as accidents involving government entities.
When an injured victim sustains injuries due to the negligence of a government entity, they have a much shorter period to pursue legal action. Ontario airport is owned by the Los Angeles World Airports, a proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, which owns and operates three airports, including Ontario International Airport. Victims only have six months after their injuries to bring a civil action against a government entity.
It is crucial to speak to an experienced attorney to determine the liable party and know how much time you have to pursue legal action.
Suing Ontario Airport for Personal Injuries
If you suffered injuries at the Ontario International Airport, you must file an administrative claim with the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) within six months. Once you file a claim with the LAWA, they have 45 days to respond. They could either accept your claim and process your payments or deny them.
In case of claim denial, an injured victim has six months from the date of denial to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the LAWA in the relevant court.
If it’s been slightly more than six months since your airport accident occurred, contact an experienced personal injury attorney, as certain exemptions extend or pause the statute of limitations. You may still have a personal injury claim even if the six-month period has expired.
Is the LAWA Responsible for an Airplane Accident?
When an airplane accident occurs due to negligence, injured victims can bring a civil action and hold the parties responsible for their damages. But who is liable for an airport accident?
Ontario Airport management may be responsible for an airport slip and fall accident, but perhaps not for an airplane accident. In some cases, where an air traffic controller (federal employee) causes an airplane accident, the airport (government entity) may be responsible.
When an airplane accident occurs, one or more than one of the following parties may be liable for the damages:
- Airplane manufacturer: The airplane manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that all their planes go through stringent quality control and are safe to fly before they can sell them to their consumers. Boeing defrauded the Federal Aviation Administration, which led to the two deadly 737 max crashes for which the company has now agreed to create a $500 million fund to compensate the families of those who died.
- Owner/Operator: An airline is responsible for inspections and maintenance to identify any hazards before the flight and take reasonable measures to address them. If they fail to carry out their duty to their passengers, they may be liable for the damages in case of an accident.
Whether you’ve suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident or an airplane crash, you must reach out to a reputable personal injury law firm. Handling claims against a government entity or large corporations is often a complicated process. An experienced personal injury attorney can navigate the murky legal waters and fight for your rights.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Ehline Law Ontario Airport Tarmac Injury Attorneys
If you’ve suffered injuries at the Ontario Airport due to another’s negligence, contact us at (833) LETS-SUE for a free consultation, as you may be able to seek compensation. Our world-class, charismatic attorneys will fight hard to ensure you and your loved ones receive a swift award of meaningful compensation for any injury or death.
California injury law firm with locations in Northern, Southern, and Central California.
