By Cat Way. Last Updated 21st June 2024. Welcome to our guide on flight accident claims. Air travel is, according to reports, the safest mode of transport, and many people fly without incident many times a year. Whether you are going on holiday or travelling for business, you put your trust in the airline, the aeroplane and the staff to keep you safe, but sometimes accidents do happen. In this guide, we run through how to establish fault in an aeroplane accident, the types of potential injuries and also how much compensation you could claim if you suffer an in-flight injury.
To find out more about flight accident claims, read on or call us on 0800 073 8804 to speak to someone today about how to claim. If you have questions about receiving flight accident compensation, you can also contact us through our website or through the Live Chat bubble now on your screen.
Select A Section
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- What Types Of Compensation Could Be Awarded For Flight Accident Claims?
- How Much Flight Accident Compensation Would I Get?
- The Montreal Convention
- What Types Of Accidents Could Lead To Flight Accident Claims?
- Fatal Plane Crash – What Should Dependents Do?
- No Win No Fee Flight Accident Claims – Can I Make One?
- Legal Expert – Why Claim With Us?
What Types Of Compensation Could Be Awarded For Flight Accident Claims?
The types of payout that make up a compensation claim can include the following:
- Funeral expenses – As mentioned in the paragraph above, if a person were killed as a result of a flight accident, then a claim can be put forward for funeral costs.
- General damages – Suffering and pain can be covered for the injuries sustained, and this can include the psychological effects as well as physical harms.
- Care – If you’ve had to have someone care for you to help you at home, either getting dressed, feeding yourself or anything you would normally have been able to do on your own previously, then that person doing those tasks could claim for care.
- Medical – Bills such as physiotherapists, prescription fees etc. can be covered here
- Wages – Both wages actually lost, prove financial losses caused by the injury, your amount of compensation received from air accident claims could increase.
If you’ve incurred other costs directly due to the flight accident, then speak to our team to see if you can be recompensed as part of any settlement. You would need to provide evidence of the financial losses. Examples of evidence you could use include receipts, bank statements and invoices.
How Much Flight Accident Compensation Would I Get?
Below is a table covering a range of injuries to give you some idea of compensation amounts. You may not see your specific injury or injuries here, but if you don’t, it doesn’t mean they will not be covered. Simply call us to get a general overview of typical payouts for what has happened to you.
These figures were taken from the Judicial College Guidelines – a document that can be used to help value personal injury claims by providing guideline compensation amounts for a variety of different injuries. However, the first figure provided was not taken from these guidelines. We’ve provided it to show you how your settlement could include flight accident compensation for more than one injury suffered in a plane accident plus related expenses, such as lost wages.
| Injury | Severity | Compensation Guideline |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Injuries and Special Damages | Very Severe | Up to £500,000 |
| Brain and Head Injuries | Moderate (i) | £183,190 to £267,340 |
| Brain and Head Injuries | Minor | £2,690 to £15,580 |
| Neck Injuries | Severe (ii) | £80,240 to £159,770 |
| Neck Injuries | Moderate (ii) | £16,770 to £30,500 |
| Wrist Injuries | Loss of Function | £58,710 to £73,050 |
| Severe Leg Injuries | Moderate (iv) | £33,880 to £47,840 |
| Arm Injuries | Less Severe | £23,430 to £47,810 |
| Foot Injuries | Moderate | £16,770 to £30,500 |
| Toe Injuries | Severe | £16,770 to £25,710 |
Please remember that this table only provides you with an idea of the flight accident compensation you could receive. Every case is unique meaning that the compensation you receive could be different to the figures listed above. Please contact us to learn more. We can provide you with a compensation estimate that gives more insight into what you could receive.
The Montreal Convention
When pursuing flight injury claims, you may hear about the Montreal Convention 1999. This is a treaty signed by multiple countries, including the UK, that protects passengers in-flight, allowing them to be compensated by the airlines should they have been injured by or during a flight. Passengers should, no matter their whereabouts or in which country the injury occurred, be allowed to make their claims in their home nation, whether they have suffered injury from falling baggage or objects from overhead lockers, unsafe transfers by ground staff or emergency evacuation where the proper procedure was not followed.
Additionally, the Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for your health and safety while onboard a flight. This is outlined in the Civil Aviation Act 1982. The Aviation Health unit is part of the CAA. So, you can click here to read their guidelines on health concerns for crew members. You can successfully make air accident claims if you can prove that your injury was caused by negligence from a third party.
The Montreal Convention helped create the basis of flight accident claims by establishing and clarifying the duty of care owed to all passengers. If you have more queries about making air accident claims, you can contact us for free legal advice at a time that works for you.
How Long Do I Have To Claim For A Flight Accident?
Making your personal injury claim within the correct time limit is an important part of the flight accident claims process.
Under the Montreal Convention 1999, you will have two years to start your claim for injury compensation. This starts from the date that you disembarked from the aircraft. There are no exceptions to this time limit.
To find out if you are within the correct time limit to start a claim, contact our team today. Our friendly advisors can help answer your questions about starting a claim and offer you free advice. Furthermore, they could connect you with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors if you have a valid case.
What Types Of Accidents Could Lead To Flight Accident Claims?
There are various different types of accidents that could occur on a flight. Some examples that you may be able to claim for include:
Accident While Boarding An Aeroplane
Boarding an aircraft should be a thing we do without incident, and when it is not, there are various accidents that can occur. Whether the steps were not properly secured, there were slip, trip or fall hazards that were not cleared up or you have been injured by damage to the boarding tunnel, if you weren’t to blame for the accident boarding an aeroplane, you’re likely to be able to be awarded compensation for your injuries.
There are various different injuries that can be caused by boarding an aircraft including broken bones, strains and sprains, muscle damage and worse. If you have been involved in such a situation, then it would be wise to speak to us to see how we can help you claim. You could receive flight accident compensation if can prove that your accident was caused by negligence.
Slipping While Disembarking A Flight
If you’ve had an accident disembarking an aeroplane, you will need to be able to prove that you were not to blame for it. For example, if you were rushing and fell, tripping over your own feet, it would be likely that you would not have a claim. If, for example, you slipped on a pool of water that had not been cleaned from the ramp or steps, then you would likely have a claim. Call our team, and we’ll be sure to talk you through the reasons why you have or don’t have a valid claim. We can then, if you do have cause, provide you with a solicitor to manage your flight accident claims.
Luggage Fell On Me On An Aeroplane
One of the more common occurrences on an aircraft that can cause injury is items that have not been properly secured or those that have fallen due to issues with the overhead storage lockers popping open. Luggage falling on the head can cause a variety of problems and can even knock someone unconscious if they are heavy enough. Should this have happened on your flight and you were left with an injury, then we can help begin the fight for compensation against those responsible.
The amount of compensation you can receive from air accident claims depends on many aspects including the severity of the injury, the number of injuries suffered and whether you’re expected to make a full recovery.
Burns From Aeroplane Food Or Drink
Whilst the quality of food on an aeroplane is not always that of a good restaurant, it usually comes hot, and this can cause accidents in flight. If you have been burnt by foods served on an aeroplane, if you were not advised that they were hot, or they were spilt on you, then you may have suffered burn injuries that were not your fault. These can cause scarring and visible damage that can last for a long time to come. In-flight injuries on aeroplanes compensation can help pay for treatment for the injuries to reduce the visibility of scarring, and can also compensate you for the pain you have been through.
Injured By Aeroplane Seat
Seat damage can happen in an aeroplane for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the seat was not checked for damage, and there were sharp parts protruding that have caused an injury, or maybe the seat mechanism was faulty. Whatever the reason you were injured by your seat, as long as it was not from improper use, it is likely that you could claim seat injury compensation.
Flight accident claims can come from a variety of accidents so, if you want to know more about your eligibility to claim, please contact us for free legal advice.
Injured By Trolley Mid-Flight
If you’ve been hit by a trolley mid-flight, either because it was left unattended or it was pushed into you, then you may be able to be compensated for your injuries with airline injury compensation claims. Injuries caused by this can lead to prolonged pain and suffering through no fault of your own. Speak to our team; we are sure to be able to advise you on what to do next.
Fatal Plane Crash – What Should Dependents Do?
It does not happen often, but when it does, plane crashes causing fatalities are highly publicised. Often, in the newspapers, the family of the deceased are mentioned, but what is not often mentioned is the emotional and financial trauma that does not go away long after the story has been printed or broadcast.
Dependents of those killed in accidents on aeroplanes can make claims for compensation that may cover funeral costs, as well as offering financial support for those who are left without household income due to the accident. There are, however, limits on the time allowed to make a claim. For the most part, loved ones can claim up to 2 years after the accident, but it is wise to pursue your flight accident claims as soon as possible to help relieve the financial burden sooner.
No Win No Fee Flight Accident Claims – Can I Make One?
Claims against an airline can be made with the help of a No Win No Fee solicitor. This works by using some of the settlement once the case ends to cover the solicitor’s fees. And this focuses on an agreeable amount before you sign anything. So, you will know how much of the settlement you will receive. Legal Expert’s friendly and fully trained team will explain all the details you’d need to know if you were to use our service to make your flight accident claims.
This means that you won’t have to pay anything upfront and you would only pay your solicitor’s legal fees if your claim is successful.
Legal Expert – Why Claim With Us?
Providing you with a solicitor to specifically handle your case is something that not a lot of people can do. Here at Legal Expert, we have the ability to provide solicitors with experience in this area of personal injury. This allows you the peace of mind of working with someone who knows exactly what they’re doing. We help many people claim compensation for injuries ranging from burns to losing a relative and care about our service. We take the time to learn about the accident and help you by informing you of all the facts. And this empowers you to make a decision on the best course of action to take for you.
If you have any questions, all you need to do is get in touch. Call 0800 073 8804 or email info@legalexpert.co.uk to ask us anything about flight accident claims. And we will do our utmost to provide an answer or solution.
Helpful Links
The AAIB provide reports on incidents that have happened in the aviation industry. This might be of interest if you are looking to find out about other events that have been reported.
The HSE aim to answer questions that are commonly asked about air transport safety. Read their page to find out more.
No Win No Fee compensation guide
Our guide on claiming no win no fee should inform you further about this type of case. This may apply to you when making flight accident claims.
Peanut allergy compensation claims
Have you suffered from an allergic reaction while travelling? Read our guide to see if you could make a claim.
Compensation claims for delayed flights
Click here to see what options are available for you after a travel delay because of delayed flights.
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Thank you for reading our guide on flight accident claims.
