Can You Sue an Airline for Injuries Caused by Turbulence?
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, just over 50 Americans sustain injuries caused by turbulence annually. Some people wonder whether or not they should call an airplane accident lawyer to take legal action against an airline after these injuries occur.
So, can you sue an airline for injuries you suffer during a turbulent flight? It’s a question people are starting to ask with increasing frequency as turbulence becomes more challenging to predict for many airlines.
Find out the answer below.
Yes, You Can Sue an Airline for Injuries Caused by Turbulence
The simple answer to the question, “Can you sue an airline for injuries caused by turbulence?” is “yes.” That being said, suing an airline in this situation may present certain complications.
Airlines are common carriers and assume common carrier liability. They have a duty of care to keep passengers safe and may face legal action if they ever exhibit negligence that leads to passengers sustaining injuries during turbulence.
Turbulence is often referred to as an ”act of God,” so airlines aren’t generally held responsible for unexpected turbulence during any given flight. People can only successfully sue airlines for injuries caused by turbulence if flight crews are found to have made negligent decisions before the event in question.
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Consider Suing an Airline for Injuries Caused by Turbulence in These Scenarios
Filing a personal injury claim against an airline and proving negligence after sustaining turbulence-related injuries isn’t easy. However, there are some scenarios in which you should think about taking legal action after dealing with airplane turbulence and flight injuries.
The answer to the question, “Can you sue an airline for injuries caused by turbulence?” might be “yes” in the following situations.
A Flight Crew Didn’t Notify You and Your Fellow Passengers About Impending Turbulence
While turbulence has become more unpredictable than ever before, flight crews can typically still tell when it’s coming. In many instances, they will advise passengers to sit in their seats and buckle their seatbelts when it’s on the way.
But there are times when flight crews might fail to advise passengers about impending turbulence. If turbulence that a flight crew didn’t warn you about caused your injuries, this could be seen as negligence on the part of an airline and warrant filing a lawsuit.
A Flight Crew Neglected To Provide the Correct Safety Instructions for Managing Turbulence
It isn’t enough for a flight crew to tell you and your fellow passengers that turbulence is coming. An airline’s staff must run through warning procedures to ensure everyone understands how to manage turbulence effectively.
If a flight crew didn’t give you and your fellow passengers the correct safety instructions or, worse, if a flight crew didn’t deliver any instructions at all on how to manage turbulence, this could constitute negligence on their part. Because of it, you might be able to build a case against an airline and win in court.
A Flight Crew Didn’t Stow Luggage Securely, and Turbulence Dislodged It
Before a commercial airplane takes off, a flight crew must properly store everything in the overhead luggage compartments. They must also check to see that passengers have stored luggage under their seats as instructed.
If a flight crew stows luggage incorrectly, it could become dislodged by turbulence and cause people to sustain injuries. An airline could be found negligent for not doing more to protect its passengers from falling luggage during turbulence.
An Airline Failed To Offer the Necessary Safety Equipment To Counteract Turbulence
An airline must supply its passengers with safety equipment to combat turbulence. Seatbelts are a prime example.
If seatbelt failure occurs during a turbulent flight, you might be at an increased risk for injuries. You should immediately inform a flight attendant about the issue and arrange to sit in a different seat with a functioning seatbelt.
If this flight attendant refuses to move you and your broken seatbelt is the cause of turbulence-related injuries, you may file a lawsuit against an airline. You might also wish to explore filing a product liability case against the company that manufactured the seatbelts on a plane in the first place.
What To Do After You Sustain Turbulence-Related Injuries on a Flight
If you sustain turbulence-related injuries on a flight, you might not immediately know the answer to the question, “Can you sue an airline for injuries caused by turbulence?” Taking the proper steps in their aftermath could improve your chances of creating a solid legal case against an airline. Here is what you should do next:
- Report your injuries to a flight crew.
- Request medical attention on a plane.
- Seek additional medical care after landing.
- Save medical records and receipts.
- Follow a doctor’s orders and continue to keep any important injury documentation.
You should also schedule a consultation with an airplane accident lawyer to discuss your case. They will evaluate its viability and provide legal guidance on how to proceed based on the facts surrounding it.
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How To Find the Right Airplane Accident Attorney To Handle Your Case
The answer to the question, “Can you sue an airline for injuries caused by turbulence?” will change on a case-by-case basis. Only an experienced airplane accident attorney can provide a definitive answer after analyzing your case and determining its viability.
If you need an airplane accident lawyer to assist with your case, turn to Accident Hotline for help tracking down a reliable legal professional in your area to investigate your legal options.
Call (844) 343-9609
Contact Us To Locate a Reputable Airplane Accident Lawyer in Your Area
Never assume the answer to the question, “Can you sue an airline for injuries caused by turbulence?” is “yes.” Instead, arrange to sit down with one of the accident lawyers in your city to discuss your case’s viability.
Accident Hotline is here to help you connect with a trusted airplane accident lawyer in your area. Reach out to us at (844) 343-9609 today to speak with a representative about your legal rights and needs.
For a free consultation, call (844) 343-9609
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