Did you know that the most common cause of injury in air travel is baggage falling from overhead bins ? Approximately 4,500 passengers are injured due to falling baggage every year. These accidents can cause permanent injury to the head, spine or shoulders of innocent passengers, as these body parts are the most vulnerable targets…
Continue readingWhile on an international flight recently, a passenger’s bag fell out of the overhead compartment and struck another flyer as we were getting ready to get off the jet. The owner of the bag, who had been struggling with its weight, apologized, and luckily the innocent victim was unhurt. However, the question remains: Who IS…
Continue readingDuty of care is a legal term referring to the obligation to comply with a certain standard of conduct to protect someone from unreasonable risk of harm. In a personal injury or negligence case, you must be able to prove the person (or entity) that did the injuring — the defendant — had a duty…
Continue readingUnless you are a “frequent flyer,” airports can be disorienting places for travelers. The signage, often overhead, can cause elderly, weary, non-English speaking and disabled air travelers to take their eyes off the path before them. Plus, there are PA announcements, other travelers bumping into them and vehicles beeping and passing, etc. Airports can be…
Continue readingThe “golden rule” — treat others as you yourself want to be treated — is not allowed in a damages trial in court. The golden rule argument would have jurors considering, for example, how much the loss of the use of an arm would mean to them. Virtually all courts have considered such arguments to…
Continue readingWith the increased air traffic at, and around, the three DC Metro international airports, attention must be paid to the vehicular traffic on the “Airport Operation Area” (“AOA”) at Dulles, Reagan National and Baltimore Washington International Airports. Since the tragic events of 9/11, there has been a marked increase in security for the “sterile areas”…
Continue readingFinancial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald lost 658 of its 1000 employees when a plane hit the World Trade Center in the September 11 terrorist attacks, destroying the company’s offices. The firm filed a lawsuit seeking $1 billion in damages from American Airlines, on the grounds the airline was negligent by failing to detect the hijackers,…
Continue readingThe infrastructure investments at Dulles (“IAD”) and Reagan National (“DCA”) have helped the growth of both Northern Virginia International Airports. Dulles has experienced a steady increase in its international air service every year since 2003. For example, the airport reported in early 2013 that Dulles had become the second largest gateway in the world to…
Continue readingAccording to an article in the Herndon Patch, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) and State Police will be cracking down on drivers who jump out of traffic on the Dulles Toll Road (Rt 267) and take a toll-free ride on the Dulles Airport Access road. Using the airport road for non-airport business is known as…
Continue readingThe first time I went to Dulles International Airport (“IAD”), it was to pick up my father, who was coming to Washington, D.C. as a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (“ATLA”) Superfund Study Commission, it seemed as though I was the only one in the Terminal ! That was 1982. Since…
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