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Airline Accidents

Injured on an airplane? Talk to one of our aviation lawyers about your rights.

We have over 20 years of litigation experience in aviation injury claims and in-depth knowledge of domestic and international aviation laws. We’ve represented victims of aviation accidents and wrongful deaths, and have achieved outstanding results.

Most aviation injury claims involve in-flight accidents and other incidents that happen while the aircraft is on the ground.

  • falling baggage
  • rolling food carts
  • embarking and disembarking incidents
  • faulty equipment

Not all injuries sustained on airplanes can be attributed to negligence, but you may still have a valid claim.

Why Choose Hammerco

Experience: Over 25 years of experience in litigation, achieving powerful legal solutions for individuals and businesses in BC.

Compassion: Helping people is our number one priority. With us, you get a winning combination of compassion and confidence.

Contingency: We offer a variety of fee structures, and you may qualify for our contingency fee model, which means you don’t pay legal fees until your case is resolved positively. 

Accessibility: Your needs always come first, no matter where you live. We serve clients across BC and beyond.

Our Team

Morgyn Chandler

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Douglas Chiu

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Dale McGregor

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Kevin McLaren

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Krista Simon

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Alexia Majidi

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Rosy Arora

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Serena Cheong

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Raman Dasanjh-Samra

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Hailey Reid

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Elisabeth Sadowski

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…I recently received a settlement that far exceeded my expectations and I’m ecstatic to be moving forward.
Miranda Grigor, Client
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What happens when you file an airline injury claim?

Our legal team has access to B.C.’s top accident reconstruction engineers, aeronautical engineers, safety experts and investigative experts. We launch an investigation to determine the facts and build a strong case on your behalf.

If injuries resulted from technology failure, or the failure of the airline or crew to meet applicable standards of care, then such injuries fall under personal injury law and filing a claim may be warranted. With decades of experience, our aviation lawyers take steps to ensure that fair compensation is awarded for future medical issues and other financial losses.

Some in-flight injuries can have a devastating effect on daily living. Our role is to be your advocate and to be involved at every step of your progress, including coordinating access to medical equipment, occupational therapists, and programs to promote your financial, social, physical and emotional well-being.

We deal with insurance companies, assist in securing your income replacement and disability benefits, and arrange for your medical care and therapy until your claim has settled, so you can focus on your recovery and move forward with confidence.

We represent families in wrongful death suits against airlines.

While airline crashes, mid-air collisions and crash landings are rare, unfortunately, they do occur and cause severe injuries or death. In these tragic events, we compassionately represent families pursuing wrongful death claims.

If a loved one has perished due to an airline collision or crash, we mobilize our significant resources to establish fault. While we understand that no amount of compensation can ease your grief, filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim against a carrier, private charter company, or individual, can help restore your sense of justice. Claims of this nature hold those responsible accountable and help prevent aviation accidents and tragedies from occurring in the future.

Timing is everything.

It’s critical to contact a lawyer quickly. In B.C., you have two years from the date of your accident to commence legal proceedings or your case will be barred.

Book your consultation »

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can be held responsible for my in-flight injury?

If you were injured
in an air travel accident, whether it was during the flight or at the airport, you may be eligible for compensation. Due to the frequent traffic and precise scheduling of the airline industry, accidents can be more common than you might expect. Air transportation accidents can be due to a number of different factors, such as heavy turbulence, falling items from
overhead, unruly passengers, or even hot coffee spills in flight.

How do I determine if I have a valid legal claim for my airline-related injury?

There are two main categories of air traveler injury claims. The first is a domestic flight, flying within Canada. The other case is an international flight, either flying to Canada or from Canada. Each of these is handled differently in the Canadian legal system, and in both scenarios, the injured passenger is eligible to file a claim. A significant difference
between these is that under the Montreal Convention, the claimant must have been physically injured in the international case. For a domestic flight accident claim, the injured air traveler must prove negligence on behalf of
the airline or the airport authorities to be successful and eligible for compensation. During an international flight, the claimant can file a claim without proving negligence on the airline.

What evidence should I gather to support my in-flight injury claim?

Documentation related to your flight and the incident such as your itinerary, any witness information, an incident report if one was taken, as well as details from
the incident.

How long do I have to file a claim for an airline-related injury?

You have two years from the date of the incident.

Can I seek compensation for emotional distress resulting from an in-flight incident?

Yes, you can.

What role does the airline’s insurance play in my injury claim?

If the claim is successful, the airline’s insurance will pay

How do I report the in-flight injury to the airline and relevant authorities?

Call a flight attendant immediately if the incident happens
on the airplane. If you’re in the terminal, contact customer service. Make sure that you report the injury and seek appropriate medical attention. If you have questions, you should also follow up with a lawyer following the
incident.

What if the airline denies liability for my injury?

You should contact a lawyer to discuss your options if the airline denies liability.

Book your free consultation.

We’re with you every step of the way.