Southern California has busy airports. Airports such as LAX and John Wayne serve millions of travelers every year. The people rushing to get to their flights, the fast-paced environment, and the distractions could increase the risk of slip and fall accidents. Airport terminals, jetways, and common areas are places where many slips and fall accidents occur. The first step of seeking justice for a slip and fall at an airport is to determine who is liable for the accident. It is advisable to discuss the case with a knowledgeable lawyer to know your legal options and rights.
Potential Defendants
The organization or company whose negligence caused the accident will be liable for your losses. At times, the liable parties can be more than one government agency, company, or person. Some of the possible defendants of an airport slip and fall are:
The vendors
If a vendor of a fixed shop inside an airport is responsible for tripping hazards or spills near the entry or inside the venue, they are liable.
Airport authority
If the slip and fall accident happens inside a public airport, the airport authority will be liable. Government agencies have limited liability with different procedures and rules.
Careless individuals
A careless person can be liable for your accident. For example, a person that is walking in front of you can spill their coffee and cause you to lose your footing and slip.
Slip and fall accidents are unpredictable and mostly happen in the airport, from hotels and bathrooms to the parking lots and restaurants. The most common slip and fall causes in airports are uneven pavements, slippery floors, lack of handrails, inadequate lighting, debris in walkways, and loose tiles or carpeting. If you have a slip and fall accident in an airport, you should report the matter to the police. Medical personnel should also be alerted. You should undergo a medical check-up immediately in an emergency room or an urgent medical care center.
Four things that need to be established in the case are duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and measurable harm. You have to prove there was a dangerous hazard in the airport, the liable party knew or should have known about the hazard, the owner failed to post warnings or repair the hazard and you sustained injuries in a slip and fall accident caused by the hazardous condition. Moreover, you must prove that the liable party owed you a duty of care and there were damages sustained such as financial, physical, and non-economic damages.
Conclusion
If you slipped and fell at the airport, it is crucial to contact an attorney as soon as possible. A legal team can talk to you about the important facts of the case, establish the extent of the accident injuries and determine whether you can claim for compensation or not. A lawyer will prepare you for the compensation process and explain your rights to you. You will be assisted in exercising your legal rights and getting what is rightfully yours.
