We've been featured in:

American Airlines Flight Personal Injury Claims Guide – How To Claim Compensation For A Accident On An American Airlines Flight?

American Airlines flightIn this guide, we will provide information for passengers who may have suffered an injury while flying with American Airlines. Here at Legal Expert, we are specialists in the field of personal injury and can assist you if you feel you have suffered an airline injury due to negligence. We offer all potential clients a free legal consultation so they can make informed decisions on how to proceed. You can call us on 0800 073 8804 for more information. But first, continue reading to discover more.

Select A Section

A Guide To Personal Injury Claims On American Airlines Flight

American Airlines is one of the most well-known airline companies around the world. It is the biggest airline in the world in terms of the number of destinations served, scheduled passenger-kilometres flown, revenue, and fleet size. The company, combined with its regional partners, operates a huge domestic and international network. Almost 350 destinations are served across over 50 countries, with around 6,700 flights taking off per day.

In this guide, we will discuss potentials hazards that could occur when flying. This includes examples on different accidents that could happen, and what injuries could possibly lead from these accidents. We will also answer some of your most pressing questions, regarding the claim process, how much could be awarded in terms of compensation, how a No Win No Fee agreement could work for you and how we as a specialist claims team could help you.

What Is An Accident On An American Airlines Flight?

An accident on an American Airlines flight could be an unfortunate unexpected incident that has occurred and may have caused damage or injury.The key difference between an accident and being able to pursue a compensation claim for damages is liability and eligibility. In order for a passengers to be able to pursue an airline injury claim their injury must have been caused through an preventable accident due to negligence. The following sections explains in greater depth…

Who caused the incident? The first thing you need to do is establish responsibility for the incident. If you are to make a successful claim you need to be able to prove that someone else  caused the accident through negligence or error. This third party will have owed you a duty of care and such a breach of this duty resulted in the accident leading to injury or illness. If the accident was no ones fault then there is no grounds to support a compensation claim. However, if you were partially responsible, you may still be eligible for a payout although the amount will be lower to reflect your involvement.

When did the accident happen? The next thing you need to concern yourself with is the date of the accident. This is important because there is a personal injury claims time limit. We will explain all about this in the next section of the guide.

Did you see a doctor for your injuries? We advise seeing a medical professional for any injuries or illness. This is because the medical report they provide you with is sometimes the most important piece of evidence to show the severity of your injuries or illness. Don’t fret if you have not seen a doctor yet, though, as this is something our solicitors can arrange for you and usually in your local area.

How Long Do I Have To Claim For An American Airlines Injury?

A lot of people do not realise that there are time limits in place when making a personal injury claim. You can use the table below for guidance.

Edit
Circumstances Time Limit
Illness and injury caused while on a package holiday booked in the UK from a UK tour operator. 3 years
Injury or illness claims made under the Montreal Convention 2 years

Air Passenger Rights In Case Of An Accident

There are a number of different rules and regulations that are in place when it comes to plane accidents. This includes the Montreal Convention and the Warsaw Convention.

Air Passenger Rights And The Montreal Convention

The Montreal Convention helps people to bring their claim for an accident on an international flight in the jurisdiction of their choosing, usually where they are resident. Very often when an airline injury solicitor is filing a personal injury claim for an accident or illness while on a flight, it is likely that they will be doing so under the Montreal Convention. This covers all international airspace, and so it is not applicable for domestic flights. Not only does it cover accidents, but you could claim for cases involving flight delays, luggage loss, and such like.Call Legal Expert today to see what legislation could be used in your airline personal injury case.

Injuries That Could Happen On A Flight

Accidents leading to injuries could happen anywhere. Examples of injuries that could occur on a flight due to accidents include;

  • Injuries that have happened because of unexpected turbulence.
  • Slips, trips, and falls that could lead to soft tissue injuries, sprains and strains.
  • Burns and scalds possibly because cabin crew have accidentally spilled a hot drink on a passenger.
  • Food poisoning could be caused if food is stored, heated and prepared incorrectly.
  • Allergic reactions may happen if the correct allergen information is not printed on the label.
  • Overhead locker incidents if lockers are not secured before taking off and landing.
  • Trolley accidents could happen if the breaks are not applied correctly.
  • Incidents involving disabled passengers due to carelessness.

We will take a look at these accidents in further depth in the upcoming sections. If you cannot find the accident you have been involved in, don’t panic. Call Legal Expert today and they can tell you if your accident that occurred is eligible for compensation.

Tea, Coffee, And Hot Liquid Burns

If a hot drink has been spilled on you, it could easily cause severe burns. No matter whether your burns are minor or you suffer third-degree burns, you may have grounds to pursue a claim if the burns were caused due to negligence of a third party. An example of this could be if cabin crew while serving you a coffee accidentally spill some on to you.

If you have experienced this type of injury through a similar negligent act while flying on an American Airlines flight please get in touch with Legal Expert to see if you could make a claim for airline compensation.

Negligent Treatment Of A Disabled Passenger Causing Injury

If you are a disabled passenger, or someone you love is flying and he/she has a disability, it is always a good idea to call the airline at least 48 hours before the flight if you can. By doing this, you will ensure that the airline has enough time to prepare so that you have all of the assistance needed. There are  different ways that this could happen. Some examples include injuries that could have happened while embarking or disembarking the flight because the crew might not have taken the required attention and care, as well as illnesses and injuries caused because the passenger has potentially not been brought their medication during the flight or they have not been secured in their airline seat properly.

Service Trolley Or Beverage Cart Accidents That Could Occur

These carts weigh a lot. They could cause a lot of damage if they are not used correctly. If the attendant does not put the brakes on, and the cart crashes into you, it might potentially cause a serious injury. You could also be injured if the cabin crew do not take great care when using the service trolley up and down the isle’s as very often people who are seating in isle seats have limbs that stick out into the isle.

Falls When Boarding, On Board Or Disembarking The Aircraft

Slips trips and falls could happen anywhere as so many different hazards could cause them. Injuries could range from mild bruising to fractures. If spillages are not cleaned up straight away during a flight passengers could slip or if the cabin floor is uneven a passengers may trip and fall. Due to planes having limited space it is important that communal areas are kept clear of hazards so that passengers are not in danger of tripping over.

Overhead Storage Bin Accidents

Injuries could also potentially happen because of overhead storage bin accidents. If the overhead lockers have not been correctly secured by cabin crew during before takeoff, they may come open and items fall out causing injuries during take off or landing. It is important to note that to make a claim for compensation, the accident must have happened at this time. If it happens during the flight, you may not be able to claim. This is because it is then your responsibility to get your luggage out of the overhead lockers safely.

Injuries Sustained During Unexpected Turbulence

If the turbulence is unexpected by passengers (warning has not been given by the flight crew) then you may potentially have grounds to make a claim. The correct procedure needs to be followed when it comes to turbulence. The pilot needs to ensure that the flight crew is aware that turbulence is anticipated. The seat belt sign should come on and food and drink should not be served during this time. If the right procedures are not followed, accidents could easily happen, and if they do, compensation claims may be successful for injuries sustained because of this.

Inflight Allergic Reactions

People could experience food poisoning from foods or beverages served on the aircraft. If this has happened, not only can it cause unwanted symptoms, but it can ruin your holiday too. This is something you will likely be able to claim for. You may also suffer an allergic reaction if you are served foods that contain something you are allergic to. If you are flying with food allergies, and you have informed the airline, yet they have overlooked this, you can potentially claim. You might also claim if one of the 14 main allergens is present within the food and you have not been informed. For packaged food, allergens need to be displayed on the label. For food that does not come in packaging, there is greater flexibility, yet you should still be informed.

Defective Seats

In addition to the injuries and accidents above, you will potentially be able to make a personal injury claim if you have been injured because of a defective seat. These cases are rare but they could happen. If a plane has not been maintained properly, a broken seat could easily cause damage to you, whether by scratching you, collapsing or something else.

Personal Injury Claims Calculator

How much money will I get if I make a claim? This is a question a lot of people ask us. Many people have also used a personal injury claims calculator tool online, and so they have an idea in their mind of how much compensation they think they should get. In fact, it is impossible to tell you exactly how much you will receive. This is because all cases are different and they are assessed individually, with a fair amount awarded accordingly. Here, we offer an alternative to a calculator. The thing we have done is look at cases that have been made in the past to get a good understanding of the average payout amount. You can find these details in the table below. If you cannot find the injury that you have sustained, simply give us a call and we will be happy to help.

Edit
Injury Type Severity Compensation Information
Toe injury Moderate to severe Up to £49,180 Here, injuries are going to range upwards from damage to the soft tissue that could include lacerations, bruising, cuts, etc. through fractures, dislocations and nerve damage, to complete loss of all toes, mobility and effect on overall foot will be taken into consideration.
Ankle injury Minor to severe Up to £61,110 Here, injuries are going to range upwards from tissue damage (bruising, scrapes, burns, cuts, etc.) through sprains, damage to the muscles and also fractures, to some level of loss of function of the ankle, transmalleolar fracture with possible future amputation.
Foot injury Minor to very severe Up to £96,150 Here, injuries are going to range upwards from lacerations, bruises and other soft tissue injuries, through broken bones, nerve or muscles damage, to paralysis or loss of the foot or to a below-knee amputation because of the loss of the ankle joint.
Leg injury Minor to severe Up to £120,530 Here, injuries are going to range upwards from general tissue damage such as burns, scrapes and cuts, through muscle or nerve damage, fractures either simple or compound, to loss of function or complete amputation of the leg fully above the knee with consideration for the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the remaining joints of both lower limbs or in the hips and spine.
Hand injury Minor to serious Up to £96,150 Here, injuries are going to range upwards from lacerations, bruises and other soft tissue injuries, through broken bones, nerve or muscles damage, to paralysis or total loss of the dominant hand.
Wrist injury Minor to severe Up to £52,490 Here, injuries are going to range upwards from tissue damage (bruising, scrapes, burns, cuts, etc.) through sprains, damage to the muscles and also fractures, to some level of loss of function of the wrist to fractures where an arthrodesis has been performed.
Arm injury Moderate to severe Up to £120,270 Here, injuries are going to range upwards from general tissue damage such as burns, scrapes and cuts, through muscle or nerve damage, fractures either simple or compound, to loss of function or complete amputation of the arm fully (at the shoulder).
Finger injury Minor to severe Up to £32,210 Here, injuries are going to range upwards from damage to the soft tissue that could include lacerations, bruising, cuts, etc. through fractures, dislocations and nerve damage, to severe fracture, partial amputation, impairment of grip and reduced function, complete loss of one or more of the fingers.
Thumb injury Minor to severe Up to £48,080 Here, injuries are going to range upwards from damage to the soft tissue that could include lacerations, bruising, cuts, etc. through fractures, dislocations and nerve damage, to complete loss of one or both thumbs.
Back injury Minor to severe Up to £141,150 Here, injuries are going to range upwards from damage to the soft tissue of the back such as lacerations, burns, scrapes, etc. through damage to the vertebrae, muscle damage or sprains, to either complete or partial paralysis, possible combination of incomplete paralysis and significantly impaired bladder, bowel and sexual function.
Neck injury Minor to severe Up to £130,060 Here, injuries are going to range upwards from damage to the soft tissue of the neck such as lacerations, burns, scrapes, etc. through damage to the vertebrae, muscle damage or sprains, to either complete or partial paralysis, or incomplete paraplegia or resulting in permanent spastic quadriparesis.
Food Illness Severe Toxicosis £33,700 to £46,060 Causing serious acute pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever, requiring hospital admission, severe impact on life and work.
Food Poisoning Minor £800 to £3,460 Diarrhoea, stomach cramps clearing in a few days or weeks.

Other Damages You Can Claim Compensation For

When it comes to making a personal injury compensation claim, there are two types of damages you will potentially be able to claim for. Firstly, you are likely going to be able to claim for general damages. This means that you would get a payout for the injuries you have experienced. To determine the amount, the severity of your original injury will be considered, as well as the impact it has had on your life and will continue to have on your life. You would potentially then also get compensation for all of the costs you have faced because of what has happened, for example, loss of income and counselling costs.

No Win No Fee Accident Personal Injury Claims On American Airlines

One of the main reasons why so many people choose Legal Expert when it comes to personal injury claims is because we offer a No Win, No Fee service, no matter what. So, what does this mean exactly? Well, it indicates that you’re only going to have to pay us the cost of your legal fees if your solicitor is victorious in their efforts to get you compensation. This gives you the peace of mind that you are only going to need to pay for a successful service, in which case you will have compensation to cover the costs. You will never end up out of pocket, and this also reassures you of a much better service because the personal injury lawyer is going to be impacted by the level of quality they provide.

Contact Us Today

Irrespective of how the accident you were involved in occurred, if the incident was not your fault you are potentially entitled to compensation. At Legal Expert, we offer a great legal helpline service for you to take advantage of when making an in-flight accident claim. Read on to discover four reasons why you should give us a call and make your claim with our service…

    1. It’s Free – Where else are you going to find a firm like ours providing free advice? All you need to do is call the number provided at the end of the post and you will speak to one of our experienced advisors who will answer any questions you have – no matter how many you have, or how big or small your questions are.
    2. It’s Available 24/7 – Another amazing advantage associated with our free legal helpline is the fact that it is available 24/7. This means you can call at a time that is convenient for you, whatever time that is.
    3. We Don’t Waste Your Time – If we do not believe you have a strong compensation case for your American Airlines accident, we will tell you. We won’t waste your time. We only provide No Win, No Fee solicitors at Legal Expert. Therefore, it is not in the interest of us or you to take on a case that is unlikely to result in compensation. We don’t want to waste your time or your money.
    4. Get Matched To A Leading No Win No Fee Solicitor – Last but not least, if you call us and we believe you have the great basis for a successful compensation claim we will then match you to a specialist No Win No Fee personal injury solicitor. We can provide great solicitors, and, therefore, you can be confident you’ll be working with someone who knows what they’re doing with regards to your case.
    5. We Make It Easy – We make the process really easy. Simply follow the three steps below. Call us today on 0800 073 8804 to get started.
Edit
Contact our team by email, phone, or post. Our team will assess your claim. Once you are ready, we can then start your claim.

Airline And Airport Accident Claim Resources

General guidelines on airport and aviation claims – Some more guidance on this type of claim.

Airport specific guide – A guide that covers airport claims.

Edited By Melissa