{"id":353471,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:59","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/in-flight-injuries-on-airplanes.html"},"modified":"2023-11-03T11:18:00","modified_gmt":"2023-11-03T16:18:00","slug":"in-flight-injuries-on-airplanes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/in-flight-injuries-on-airplanes.html","title":{"rendered":"In-Flight Injuries on Airplanes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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In-Flight Injuries on Airplanes<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Robert Rafii, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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After an airplane accident while flying, an injured passenger may sue for damages. Yet, it can be challenging to identify a defendant to sue. The liable party may be a commercial airline, but it could also be someone else.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Air travel is relatively safe compared to travel by automobile or train. Fatal crashes are far rarer for airplanes than for ground transportation. Still, serious injuries in flight occasionally occur. They may be as minor as a twisted ankle or as severe as brain injuries during air turbulence.<\/p>\n

Anyone who has been\u00a0injured during a plane trip<\/a>\u00a0should be aware of their potential rights. Sometimes the airline or its employees can be held responsible for\u00a0aviation accidents<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A victim must navigate complicated legal rules and determine whether they can recover monetary relief through a lawsuit. This is why the skills of a personal injury lawyer<\/a> can be helpful in the aftermath of the accident.<\/p>\n

Safety Measures To Expect While Traveling<\/h2>\n

To prevent in-flight injuries, airlines must implement reasonable safety procedures and policies. Flight attendants must inspect airplane seats and aisles prior to seating passengers. They make sure that items on food carts are secure and that passengers are wearing seat belts before takeoff. You can also expect that an airplane will have been inspected for airworthiness.<\/p>\n

These safety measures are inherent to an airline’s duty as a common carrier. Under\u00a0negligence law<\/a>, responsible businesses generally owe a duty of care to their patrons. This means they must prevent foreseeable harm to likely victims. For example, to prevent the\u00a0wrongful death<\/a>\u00a0of its passengers, an airline is required to hire capable pilots to fly its planes.<\/p>\n

When an airline fails to take reasonable safety measures, it may be sued as a defendant. A government investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) may reveal liability.<\/p>\n

Causes of In-Flight Injuries<\/h2>\n

Common personal injury hazards for airline passengers include:<\/p>\n