Atlanta is home to one of the busiest airports in the world. It takes a lot of work and effort by airport owners and staff to keep things running smoothly and ensure all facilities are safe for those who enter airport property. Unfortunately, accidents happen and people get hurt. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries while on airport property, you may have legal options.
An airport is a place of business. Property owners have a duty to keep the premises free of hazards. If injured while on airport property, a number of people may hold responsibility for your losses. It all depends on the facts of your case.
Common accidents in airports
While many people make it through airports without incident, there are those who do not. Some may suffer injury while receiving assistance from staff — particularly disabled individuals. Some people may suffer falls on escalators, ramps, stairs, on the train or while using moving walkways. There simply are too many places where hazards can present themselves.
Owner responsibility/liability
Property owners have a responsibility to all those who enter their property. As previously stated, they should keep their property free of hazards. When it comes to airport property, which is a tall order, as an owner may be liable for any damages suffered on outside grounds — such as parking lots and drop off/pick up areas — all the way to inside an aircraft that has yet to take off.
It is an owner’s responsibility to ensure the proper training of staff in order to avoid a number of hazards or at least promptly address them in a timely manner. If the property owner is negligent in any of his or her responsibilities, he or she may find it hard to fight any premises liability claims.
Comparative negligence
Now, if you suffered injuries on airport property, the odds are good that the property owner will try to establish that you were either fully or partially at fault for your own injuries. When visiting an airport, the law requires you to take reasonable care for your own safety. If thought responsible for your injuries due to your own actions, you may not seek compensation through legal means. If an owner is at least partially at fault, you may pursue your legal claim.
Premises liability claims can be challenging to fight. When it comes to an airport, the owners are likely to have a strong legal team on their side working to resolve the matter swiftly in order to minimize any negative consequences. Do not let this intimidate you. With help, you may seek fair compensation for your losses either through litigation or out-of-court negotiations.