Although air travel might not be the most physically comfortable method of transportation, most will agree that it’s by far the best option for getting to and from places quickly and efficiently. These days, those who are willing to fly the friendly skies have more options than ever from which to choose. And while the airline industry has recently increased its pricing to make up for the slow economy, air travel is still fairly affordable on a whole. Best of all, statistically speaking, air travel is regarded as a relatively safe method of transportation – a fact that can be somewhat comforting for those who can’t help but feel uneasy at the notion of soaring at 35,000 feet. On the other hand, when most people think of plane-related accidents, they do tend to imagine the worst, as that’s what the media tends to discuss. The reality is that non-fatal accidents can occur on airlines from time to time, and when they do, it is up to the airline industry to take responsibility accordingly.
As a personal injury lawyer who has been practicing for over three decades, Robert Dewey of Charlotte, North Carolina’s Dewey Law Firm thinks that people ought to be aware of their rights as far as airplane injuries are concerned. First and foremost, anyone injured on an airplane should notify a flight attendant immediately. Depending on the severity of the injury, immediate medical attention might be necessary. If the situation is such that medical care can wait until the plane has touched down, then the injury victim should make certain to head a doctor or emergency room as soon as reasonably possible to have his injuries officially documented. Depending on the circumstances at hand, the help of a personal injury lawyer might then be necessary to recoup damages on the part of the victim.
When is an airline liable in the event of personal injury? Airlines are responsible for creating safe travel environments on a whole. If a passenger is injured as the result of falling luggage from an overhead compartment, then that’s something for which the airline in question ought to be held accountable. Additionally, if a person is injured due to a degree of carelessness on the part of a flight attendant, then it’s understandable that he might want to take action.
While airlines are required to follow regulatory guidelines in order to keep their passengers safe, there are certain situations in which they cannot easily be held responsible in the event of an injury. If a passenger decides to ignore a “fasten seat belt” warning, stands up, and gets hurt in the process, then he can’t simply point a finger at the pilot and pass his medical bills along as such. On the other hand, if a “fasten seat belt” warning isn’t issued accordingly, then an injured passenger might be able to make a case against an airline if he’s hurt while his plane is in motion.
If you’re injured during a flight, then you might end up being eligible for monetary damages if your attorney can prove that the airline was at fault. After all, air travel is supposed to be convenient and safe, and if an incident occurs that leads you to believe otherwise, then you deserve to be compensated accordingly.
This article is for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this article as a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances, and you should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. Publication of this article and your receipt of this article does not create an attorney-client relationship.
