Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers | July 5, 2024 | Personal Injury
When you have an upcoming flight, your main concern may be that the flight goes as planned. However, accidents can happen at the airport itself, too. If you’ve been injured at the Martin County Airport (or “Witham Field”), you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Understanding what to do in the aftermath of an accident at the Martin County Airport can help you be prepared for what’s to come. An experienced Stuart airport accident attorney can also help you seek compensation and navigate the personal injury process.
Common Causes of Injuries at Airports
Airports have various facilities, including bathrooms, sidewalks, hangars, and more. If any of these are improperly maintained, they could cause an accident or injury.
The following are common causes of airport accidents:
- Dangerous parking garages or lots
- Poor lighting
- Inadequate security
- Slippery floors
- Broken, uneven, or slippery sidewalks
- Defective escalators or elevators
In addition, accidents may occur in vehicles being driven at the airport, or while passengers are being picked up or dropped off at the airport.
Who Is Responsible When an Injury Occurs at a Florida Airport?
Determining liability in a personal injury accident that occurs at an airport can be complex. Airports usually have many different individuals or entities operating on the property, including airlines, mechanics, travel companies, subcontractors, courier companies, government agencies, and more.
If you’ve been injured at an airport, one or more parties may be responsible for your injuries—including the airport itself or the controlling municipality. An experienced Stuart airport accident attorney will review your case and identify the at-fault parties.
Can I Recover Compensation if the Airport Was at Fault?
The Martin County Airport (Witham Field), like most airports in the United States, is publicly owned and, therefore, a public entity. Martin County Airport is governed by the Martin County Board of County Commissioners.
Government entities are generally protected from being sued because they have sovereign immunity. There are exceptions to sovereign immunity, however, including that Florida has waived sovereign immunity in personal injury cases. This waiver applies to municipalities like Martin County, too.
Nonetheless, lawsuits against a government entity can be more complicated than suits against private parties and will have different requirements and limitations, including:
- An individual who brings a personal injury lawsuit against an airport cannot sue someone who works for the airport unless they can prove that the employee intentionally caused the injury. If they can’t, they can only sue the airport.
- Florida caps damages at $200,000 against a government entity, and at $300,000 if more than one defendant is named in the lawsuit.
- It’s very unlikely that punitive damages would be awarded against a government entity.
In short, you can recover compensation against the airport authority if the airport was at-fault in your injury, but claims against government entities are complicated. An experienced Stuart personal injury lawyer can guide you through the claims process.
What Damages Are Available After an Airport Accident
If you suffered an injury at an airport, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses. These losses are called damages. In a personal injury case, your damages may be divided into two main categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages refer to the financial impacts of an injury. They may include medical costs, property damages, lost wages, loss of future earning potential, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
Non-economic damages refer to the emotional, psychological, or otherwise subjective impacts of any injury. They may include pain and suffering, emotional anguish, disability, loss of companionship, loss of quality of life, and more.
An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Can Help if You Were Injured at Martin County Airport/Witham Field
If you suffered an injury caused by someone else while at Martin County Airport (Witham Field), you may be able to recover compensation. However, personal injury cases arising at an airport can be complex. A skilled Stuart personal injury attorney can guide you through the process of getting the justice you deserve.
Contact Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers For Help Today
For more information, please contact the Stuart, Port St. Lucie, or Palm Beach Gardens personal injury law firm of Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Martin County, St. Lucie County, Palm Beach County, and its surrounding areas in Florida:
Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers
73 SW Flagler Ave
Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 444-7000
Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Port St. Lucie
1100 SW St. Lucie West Blvd. Ste 202
Port St Lucie, FL 34986
(772) 247-3374
Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Palm Beach Gardens
300 Avenue of the Champions Ste 220
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
(561) 944-4000