Slip and Fall Accidents in Airports

The Charlotte Douglas International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, with millions of travelers passing through its doors each year. Due to the volume of human activity in and around airports, airport terminals and other locations in airports can be prime locations for slip and fall accidents. The injuries caused by slip and fall accidents range from simple bruises to devastating injuries such as paralysis and traumatic brain injuries.

If you or a loved one has slipped and fallen in an airport or on a plane, or if a person has become injured by airline food carts or dangerous falling luggage, it is important that the injured person contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. The professionals at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, a Charlotte personal injury law firm, have extensive experience helping Charlotte-area clients obtain the compensation they deserve after a severe airport accident. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.

Oftentimes, slip and fall accidents befall a victim when one least expects an injury. In the bustle of Charlotte-Douglas's massive airport complex-from the hotels and airport parking lots that ring the perimeter to restaurants inside the airport-a person focused on timely catching a plane might forget, just for an instant, to watch one's step. Slipping and tripping hazards abound in and around an airport.

The bridges that connect an aircraft to an airport terminal may have uneven footing, and the walkways within the bridges are commonly quite steep. Rolling board staircases, escalators, and baggage carousels can create dangerous conditions that lead to slip and fall accidents. Common causes of airport slip and fall accidents include the following:

• Slippery floors;
• Loose tiles or carpeting;
• Poor lighting;
• Uneven or cracked pavement;
• Debris in tarmac walkways;
• Poorly maintained floors;
• A lack of handrails;
• Dangerous stairsteps;
• Gaps between different floor surfaces;
• Dangerous gaps between the plane and the walkway.

A person can suffer a slip and fall accident even after one has entered an airplane. When unexpected turbulence hits and the airplane staff fails to turn on the red warning sign, passengers may feel it is still safe walk around the airplane cabin. Turbulence can cause severe jostling that causes passengers to collide into each other, into a wall, or into seats and seatbacks, causing severe injuries. The walkways on airplanes are so narrow that even one small misplaced piece of debris can cause a passenger to slip and fall.

Additionally, if airplane staff members fail to latch the overhead compartments properly, heavy baggage can fall onto passengers and cause head injuries and other severe injuries. When airplane staff members fail to keep the premises safe, the airline may be liable for injuries suffered by a passenger who slipped and fell while on a plane.

A range of factors can impact the nature and severity of a fall-victim's injuries, including how far a victim fell and the body parts upon which a victim landed. Many people put their arms out to brace themselves when falling, causing damage to wrist joints and elbow joints on impact, along with lacerations and fractures. In other cases, a person may land on one's head, putting the victim at risk for traumatic brain injury. A fall victim who suffers the misfortunate of landing upon one's back, head, or neck may suffer dangerous spinal cord damage that could result in partial or complete paralysis.

Slip and fall accidents can also cause whiplash. Whiplash is a condition that causes the neck to snap forward and then quickly snapback. Whiplash injuries can cause tendon, ligament, and muscle injuries in the neck and upper back. In addition, when victims of slip and fall accidents hit their faces on hard objects such as the ground, they can suffer dental and facial injuries.

In many cases, the full extent of a person's injuries in a slip and fall accident may not be immediately apparent. Muscle and ligament injuries often do not fully manifest until hours or even days after a slip and fall accident. When the shock wears off, a person may feel significant pain. After seeking a thorough medical evaluation and medical treatment, a slip and fall victim should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer.

A skilled lawyer can help a slip and fall accident victim obtain damages or compensation for one's airport slip-and-fall injury. Damages can include compensation for current and future medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and the loss of the quality of life. Contact our experienced Charlotte personal injury lawyers today to schedule a initial consultation.