This guide contains information about claiming compensation for injuries sustained in an accident on an aeroplane. Accidents onboard a plane can occur for various reasons. However, not all of these accidents will form the basis of a valid claim.
Accident on an aeroplane claims guide
In this guide, you will find information about accidents that could occur on an aeroplane and the injuries that could be sustained.
It will also give some insight into the compensation you could be awarded following a successful claim and how it could be calculated.
If you’d like to learn more, read on. As an alternative, you can get in touch with our team of advisers for free legal advice. To reach us, you can:
- Call 0113 460 1216
- Contact us using our chat feature below
- Forward your query using our online claim form
Choose A Section
- What Is An Accident On An Aeroplane?
- How Could Aeroplane Accidents Happen
- How To Claim Compensation For An Aeroplane Accident
- What Could I Get In Compensation For An Accident On An Aeroplane?
- Is It Beneficial To Hire A No Win No Fee Solicitor?
- More Information About Accident On An Aeroplane Claims
What Is An Accident On An Aeroplane?
The Montreal Convention 1999 allows passengers to claim compensation for death or injury sustained in an accident onboard an aircraft. It establishes airline liability in these instances.
There are different ways an injuries sustained in an accident on an aeroplane could occur, such as injuries caused by turbulence, burns from hot drinks and injuries caused by poorly stowed luggage.
To learn more about claiming compensation for injuries sustained in an aeroplane accident, please get in touch on the number above.
Aeroplane Accident Statistics
The Department for Transport reports the following casualties between 2015 and 2020:
- 204 casualties caused by accidents in UK-registered aircraft in UK airspace
These are the most up-to-date statistics available and include accidents involving crew, passengers and third parties.
How Could Aeroplane Accidents Happen?
There are different ways in which you could suffer injuries in an accident on an aeroplane. For example:
- A flight attendant might fail to activate the brakes on a meal trolley, which then collides with a passenger in the aisle.
- A flight attendant may not fully close an overhead compartment. The compartment could then spring open mid-flight, spilling luggage onto the passengers beneath.
- An airline operator could fail to carry out timely health and safety checks on an aircraft, or fail to take reasonable steps to address an identified hazard. As a result, someone may sustain an injury that would have otherwise been avoided.
An aeroplane accident could also cause different kinds of injuries, such as a:
- Brain or head injury
- Broken bone, such as a broken rib
- Sprains or strain, as with a knee injury
- Hand injury
- Wrist injury
- Neck injury
Contact our team of advisers if you’d like to learn more about the process of claiming for injuries sustained onboard an aircraft.
How To Claim Compensation For An Aeroplane Accident
There are different steps you could take when claiming for injuries you sustained in an accident on an aeroplane. For example:
- Take pictures of the accident scene
- Collect contact details for anyone who witnessed the accident
- Seek medical attention. This can ensure you receive treatment for your injuries. It can also generate helpful medical records that you can use to support your case.
Additionally, you may wish to seek legal advice. A solicitor can help you through the different stages of the claims process. They could also help you collect evidence. In doing so, they might organise for you to visit an independent medical professional. They can produce a more detailed report on the extent of your injuries.
If you’d like to know more, you can speak to one of our advisers by using the contact details provided.
What Could I Get In Compensation For An Accident On An Aeroplane?
Compensation for an accident on an aeroplane can very depending upon the extent or severity of the injuries you sustained. Generally, though, a settlement could comprise general damages. This head of claim seeks to compensate you for the way in which you have suffered physically or emotionally due to your injuries. Consideration will also be given to the impact the injuries have had on your quality of life.
We’ve provided a table showing the compensation brackets published in the Judicial College Guidelines. Solicitors can use this publication to help them when valuing the general damages head of claim.
| Injury Type | Award Bracket | Further Information |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate Brain Injury (c) (ii) | £90,720 to £150,110 | Moderate to modest intellectual impairment, greatly reduced ability to work, and some risk of epilepsy. |
| Moderate Brain Injury (c) (iii) | £43,060 to £90,720 | Ability to work reduced, adverse effect on memory and concentration, small risk of epilepsy, and limited dependence on others. |
| Severe Neck Injuries (a) (i) | In the region of £148,330 | Injuries are associated with incomplete paraplegia. |
| Very Severe Ankle Injuries (a) | £50,060 to £69,700 | Injuries such as a bilateral ankle fracture that causes joint degeneration in a young person. |
| Chest Injuries (c) | £31,310 to £54,830 | Damage to chest and lungs, resulting in some continued disability. |
| Severe Shoulder Injuries (a) | £19,200 to £48,030 | Neck injuries with brachial plexus damage causing a significant disability. |
| Hand Injuries (f) | Up to £36,740 | Severe finger fractures. |
| Less Serious Leg Injuries (c) (ii) | £9,110 to £14,080 | Simple femur fracture without damage to articular surfaces. |
| Wrist Injuries (d) | £6,080 to £10,350 | The recovery of a fracture or soft tissue injury takes more than a year. |
| Wrist Injuries (e) | In the region of £7,430 | A Colles' fracture that is uncomplicated in nature. |
Your settlement could also consist of compensation for the financial losses you have experienced due to your injuries. These can be reimbursed under special damages. Examples of the costs you could claim back can include:
- Lost earnings
- Medical costs
- Travel costs
You must provide evidence of these losses. This can include payslips or receipts.
To learn more about the compensation you could receive for injuries sustained onboard an aircraft, get in touch using the number above.
Is It Beneficial To Hire A No Win No Fee Solicitor?
You be considering seeking legal representation but are concerned with the cost of doing so. It’s not essential to hire a solicitor to represent your case, but it can be beneficial. If you hire a solicitor with experience handling cases similar to your own, they can help you through each stage of the claims process.
You may benefit from hiring a No Win No Fee solicitor. They may offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). Under these terms, you typically won’t pay for the services your solicitor provides:
- Upfront
- While the claim is ongoing
- If the claim fails.
Instead, if your claim succeeds, the solicitor will take a small percentage of your compensation. This is called a success fee, and it is capped by law.
If you’d like more detail about No Win No Fee agreements and whether a solicitor offering their services on this basis could help you claim after an accident on an aeroplane, speak to us today.
Make An Aeroplane Accident Claim With Us
Our advisers are standing by to help you in any way they are able. This consultation is free and you will be under no obligation to continue using our services afterwards.
They can also provide free legal advice about your potential claim and when you could be eligible to seek compensation for injuries sustained in an accident on an aeroplane.
For more information, you can:
- Call 0113 460 1216
- Contact us using our chat feature below
- Forward your query using our online contact form
More Information About Accident On An Aeroplane Claims
Below, we have provided some more of our guides that you may find helpful:
- Claim Compensation For An Accident In A Public Place
- How Much Compensation Could I Get After An Accident In An Airport?
- I Had An Accident On Public Transport, Can I Make A Claim?
Additionally, we have provided some external resources that you may find beneficial:
- Transport Statistics – The 2021 national statistics for Great Britain
- Statutory Sick Pay – Government information about receiving statutory sick pay following an absence from work
- Civil Aviation Authority – Information for passengers.
We hope this article about claiming compensation after an accident on an aeroplane has been useful. If you have further questions, contact our advisers using the details provided above.
Writer Morgan Fringe
Editor Meg McConnell