Airports may be some of the busiest places in the world. With all its moving parts and thousands of people passing through each day, accidents are bound to happen, especially slip and fall accidents. However, with multiple stores and countless travelers, it may be difficult to determine who is liable should you slip or fall.
That is because there is a myriad of causes to a slip and fall accident in an airport, including:
- Slippery floors
- Poorly maintained areas
- Luggage or debris
- Poorly illuminated areas
- Loose handrails
- Airport equipment such as gates, walkways
Airports have some of the busiest public spaces in any facility, which alone increases the chances of suffering an accident. There are many injuries that can occur from a slip and fall accident, such as:
- Concussions
- Strains or springs
- Broken bones
- Neck or back injuries
- Contusions, cuts, or lacerations
It is common suffer a minor injury from a slip or fall, but there are serious injuries of which to be aware, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI), bone fractures, or spinal cord injuries.
What to Do after a Slip and Fall Accident?
If you do get into a slip and fall accident at the airport, notify airport personnel immediately if possible. From there, proper documentation will likely be taken, as an airport employee will notify medical assistance as well. There are likely also first-aid stations nearby where you could go, but if your injury is serious, try to stay where you are.
Document the area as best as you can as well as get any witness statements. Take photographs or video of what could have caused your injury, and any surrounding businesses or shops nearby, as they may have some liability in your injury.
Be sure to keep any related documents regarding your injury, such as what doctor or specialist you have seen, the treatment plan they have made for you, and any other related medical expenses. You may suffer from pain and suffering or loss of quality of life, which can be documented through a medical professional as well.
Filing an Injury Claim in New Jersey
When filing an injury claim in New Jersey, there are two things to consider: the statute of limitations and New Jersey’s comparative negligence law. The state of limitations, or the time limit you have to file an injury claim, is two years from the date of the injury. If you file your claim past that two-year deadline, your case will likely be dismissed. Should your slip and fall accident cause damage to your property, such as a smartphone or an expensive watch, you will have six years to file a personal property claim.
Comparative negligence can also be described as shared fault, in which the amount you are owed in compensation may be decreased by the amount of responsibility you have in the accident, if any. For example, if the court finds that you are at 25 percent responsible for the accident that caused your injury, and you are owed $100,000, you will be compensated the $100,000 minus the 25 percent, or $25,000, ending with $75,000.
In a slip and fall case, there are arguments the airport or property owner will have should the case go to court, such as:
- You were not paying attention to where you were walking, such as looking at your smartphone.
- The hazardous condition should have been obvious to you.
- There was proper signage warning you and others of the hazardous condition.
- You were not wearing reasonably correct footwear at the time of the accident.
Atlantic City Slip and Fall Lawyers at the D’Amato Law Firm Help Clients Who Suffered Injuries at the Airport
With so many businesses and travelers operating in an airport, determining liability will be difficult should you suffer a slip and fall accident. The Atlantic City slip and fall lawyers at the D’Amato Law Firm are here to help. Our experienced team has years of experience with slip and fall cases and will go through each detail in your case to get the compensation for which you are entitled. Call us today at 609-926-3300 or contact us online for a free consultation. With an office in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, we assist clients in Atlantic City, Linwood, Galloway Township, Cape May, Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton, Ocean City, Woodbury, and across South Jersey.