Many people travel around the world on airplanes, but they may not have ever thought about what will happen if they suffer an in-flight injury. In the United States, federal law applies from the time that aircraft doors close until they open again. But does this affect a personal injury claim?
Because federal agencies, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regulate aircraft and travel using them, it’s possible that federal laws can impact personal injury claims. The specific circumstances of the injury and incident are what determine where a case has to be filed.
What are the venue options?
There are several venues, including federal, that may apply when injuries occur on an aircraft. Others include the court with jurisdiction over the location of the plane’s departure and the one where the plane landed. Sometimes, the location over which the injury occurred may apply, but that’s often challenging to determine.
The challenges don’t end once the proper venue is determined. It’s also necessary to figure out who should be held liable for the injuries. This could be one or more of several possibilities, including the airline, pilot or aircraft manufacturer. Taking a look at what caused the injury and the situation at that time is the only way to figure this out.
Because in-flight injury cases are so complex, it’s critical to have someone on your side who’s familiar with these matters. Every aspect of the case must be handled precisely, but it’s critical that everything is done within the time that’s allotted by law, which is known as the statute of limitations.
