Airports are complex environments filled with travelers, employees, vehicles, escalators, elevators, moving walkways, luggage equipment, and large crowds.
When a serious injury occurs at an airport, determining who is responsible can be more complicated than in an ordinary slip-and-fall case.
Report the Incident
An injured traveler should report the incident to the appropriate airport personnel or security authorities.
Documentation created at the time of the incident can become important later.
Get Medical Attention
A serious injury should be evaluated promptly.
Airport accidents can involve fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, or other serious conditions.
Some injuries may not become fully apparent immediately.
Photograph the Hazard
If possible, photographs should document the condition that caused the accident.
Examples include:
- Wet floors
- Broken pavement
- Damaged escalators
- Defective elevators
- Poor lighting
- Obstructions
- Unsafe stairs
- Falling objects
Photographs can preserve evidence that may later change.
Identify Witnesses
Travelers may be able to identify witnesses who saw the incident.
Airport employees may also have relevant information.
Obtaining witness information promptly can help preserve memories of what happened.
Determine Who Controlled the Area
An airport can involve multiple entities.
Responsibility for an area may belong to an airport authority, airline, contractor, concessionaire, security provider, property owner, maintenance company, or another party.
Determining who controlled and maintained the location can therefore be an important part of the investigation.
Surveillance Video May Be Critical
Airports commonly have extensive surveillance systems.
Video may capture the accident, the condition that caused it, and events immediately before the injury.
Preserving potentially relevant video can be important because surveillance footage may not remain available indefinitely.
Serious Injuries Can Have Long-Term Consequences
Ponton Law has specifically addressed airport injuries and notes that accidents can involve slips and falls, elevator and escalator injuries, and pedestrian accidents.
If you suffer a serious injury at an airport in Georgia, the circumstances surrounding the accident should be documented carefully. Identifying the responsible party and preserving evidence can be critical to a successful claim.