Airports are some of the busiest spots in any city and see millions of people passing through them for local and international travel each month. The sheer amount of foot traffic that these locations come across each day makes it statistically improbable for no accidents to ever occur. Unfortunately, on their routes to and from their places of residence, unsuspecting individuals become victims of slip and fall accidents and incur serious physical harm that can result in temporary or permanent incapacitation.
Slip and fall accidents at airports are highly unpredictable due to the number of ways in which public safety principles can be violated, whether knowingly or unknowingly. If you get involved in such an accident while at an airport, you are likely to acquire hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills and costs of ongoing treatment. In such circumstances where the incident is not your fault, you can sue the negligent parties for the compensation of damages that might result directly or indirectly from the accident.
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents at an Airport
These accidents can result from a wide range of hazardous conditions, including slippery surfaces, liquid spills, open potholes, loose or torn carpeting, missing handrails on staircases, and the buildup of snow or debris on walkways, poor lighting, and more. These safety hazards can be easily minimized with adequate safety control and regular maintenance of airport buildings. Failure to take care of such hazards can result in slips and falls and injuries to unsuspecting victims.
Who is Responsible?
These types of accidents are tricky to navigate because in any given case several parties can be responsible for the accident and injuries. However, all personal injury lawsuits, including ones that stem from an airport slip and fall accident are governed by the premises liability law. This law states that a victim of a slip and fall must fulfill three core requisites to qualify for financial compensation.
The first requirement of any slip and fall lawsuit is the establishment of a duty of care. It refers to the fact that each property owner, including airport administration and management, is responsible for creating and harboring a safe space for their customers and patrons. The existence of potentially dangerous conditions at the airport violates this duty of care, especially if it is proved that the management or administration had prior knowledge of said conditions but never took any steps to eliminate them.
The final requirement is proof of the damages that result from the accident. To obtain financial compensation through a lawsuit, it is necessary to prove that the slip and fall resulted in serious physical, financial, and emotional harm.
In some cases, you might share liability with the airport administration, management, or a third party if it is discovered that your negligence contributed to the slip and fall. The principle of shared liability or contributory negligence applies differently depending on your state of residence in the United States.
Conclusion
Slip and fall accidents while at an airport can result in serious physical harm and cost hundreds of thousands in medical bills that can be impossible to pay without some form of financial help. With the assistance of a skilled personal injury lawyer, you can file a lawsuit against the parties responsible for your slip and fall and recover compensation for your damages.
