When airline employees are injured off the airport premises and they are not charged with some duty for their employer, they can still bring a lawsuit against the unsafe defendants who caused their injury.

As an example, Dulles Airport accident lawyer Doug Landau noted the following Virginia Lawyers Weekly case report of a case handled by his friend Ed Allen of Richmond.

In this airline employee’s case, she sustained a fractured left wrist in a motor vehicle collision, requiring placement of an external fixator.

She missed four months from work at her long time job as a customer service representative for United Airlines at Dulles Airport.

Although her fracture healed in good alignment, she continues to experience intermittent pain and is unable to make a complete fist with her left hand. Her orthopedic expert testified by videotape deposition.

Three insurance policies applied:

• GEICO offered $25,000 liability limits on behalf of defendant.
• The Hartford offered their total underinsurance coverage exposure of $75,000.
• Foremost Insurance would offer only $25,000 of their $50,000 underinsurance coverage limits, so the case went to trial.

Special damages included medical bills of $28,277 and lost earnings of $15,806. The plaintiff’s policy limits demand was for $150,000 (total insurance available). However, the insurance companies would only offer $125,000.

The Virginia jury’s verdict was for $243,000.

If you or someone you know or care for works for an airline and has been injured in an accident off the airport premises, and there are questions as to what laws apply, email or call Abrams Landau, Ltd. at once (703-796-9555).