John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia international airports see nearly 24 million travelers each year. Given the heavy volume of traffic and frenzied atmosphere, slip and fall accidents are fairly common. These accidents can happen at food courts, boarding ramps, escalators, restrooms, and other busy areas, leading to painful injuries.
If you or a loved one slipped and fell at an airport in NY and suffered injury, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb & Green leverage more than 50 years of experience litigating complex personal injury cases. Our New York slip and fall lawyers can determine liable parties in an airport accident and explain the best steps to recover the compensation you deserve.
It costs nothing to speak with a veteran New York airport slip and fall accident lawyer at our firm. The initial case review is free, and our attorneys take cases on a no-win, no-fee basis.
Causes of Airport Slip and Fall Accidents
LaGuardia, Newark Liberty, and JFK international airports are massive buildings that are often rife with slip or trip hazards. Construction projects and ongoing renovations can also increase the risk of a serious accident.
Common airport hazards
Inadequate or negligent maintenance is often at the root of an airport slip and fall injury. The following are some of the leading causes of these accidents.
- Slick floors from spilled beverages, leaks, or recent mopping
- Poor lighting
- Debris in walkways
- Uneven flooring on boarding ramps
- Unsecured rugs or mats
- Torn carpeting and loose tiles
- Icy or wet sidewalks
- Defects in the floor
- Lack of handrails
- Broken or missing stairs
- Lack of caution signs
Potential defendants
Skilled legal representation is crucial if you’ve been hurt in a New York airport slip and fall. Our legal team can investigate the circumstances, collect evidence, and identify all potential defendants. These airports contain dozens of businesses, including retail shops, restaurants, and bars.
If negligence was a factor in your slip and fall accident, you may be able to sue the government entity in charge of the airport (the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey), in addition to:
- Maintenance contractors
- Retail or airport establishment owners
- Transportation companies
- Airlines
- Private vendors
Are airports liable for slip and fall accidents?
This depends on the evidence collected, and if it can be proven that negligence caused you to suffer measurable harm. Airports have a duty of care to ensure their buildings are reasonably safe for employees, travelers, and passengers. Dangerous conditions in a common area of the airport that cause a slip and fall accident may merit a personal injury claim. To establish liability, your lawyer will first need to gather evidence that proves the hazard existed because of negligent actions. This may include surveillance video inside the terminal, witness testimony, the accident report, photographs of the defect or hazard, and maintenance logs.
Shorter deadlines for legal action
When a government agency is being sued in a personal injury lawsuit, the statute of limitations is considerably shorter. According to N.Y. § 7107, a plaintiff has one year from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees both LaGuardia and JFK airports. They also must file a notice of claim to the Port Authority at least 60 days before commencing an action.
If the defendant in your airport slip and fall claim is another party, the statute can be as much as three years. Regardless, it’s always wise to seek legal counsel as soon as possible.
Slip and fall injuries
Even minor falls can cause injuries that worsen over time, affecting the quality of daily life. After a slip and fall on a sidewalk or anywhere in the airport, it’s imperative to get immediate medical attention. Qualified medical professionals can diagnose and treat these common slip and fall injuries:
- Bone fractures
- Concussions
- Spinal cord damage
- Dislocated joints
- Soft tissue injuries to tendons and ligaments
- Facial injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Lacerations
- Neck and back injuries
Compensation for an airport slip and fall claim will depend on the extent and severity of your injuries and economic losses, and is usually higher for victims who suffer permanent disability. Whatever type of harm you sustained, you can rest assured our legal team will work hard to maximize your recovery.
Contact NY slip and fall lawyers
Proving liability in a slip and fall accident in New York airports can be a difficult task. Put our expertise and resources to work for you. Contact Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb & Green today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our dedicated attorneys serve clients throughout New York City and Long Island.
