Airline Injury Attorney Los Angeles, CA

Injured on a Flight or at the Airport? Airlines Are Liable.

From turbulence injuries and falling overhead bins to scalding beverages and jetway falls, airline injuries happen regularly — and airlines routinely deny or minimize claims. L&F Brown handles in-flight and airport injury claims against domestic and international carriers.

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California law

What You Need to Know Before You Settle

CA Law

Montreal Convention: strict liability for international flights

For international flights, the Montreal Convention holds airlines strictly liable for passenger injuries up to ~128,821 SDR without requiring proof of negligence. Above that threshold, airlines must prove they took all reasonable measures to avoid the harm.

CA Law

Common carrier duty on domestic flights

For domestic flights, airlines are common carriers under California law and owe passengers the highest degree of care. This elevated duty makes it easier to establish negligence when crew conduct or aircraft condition causes injury.

CA Law

Time limits are strict

Montreal Convention claims must be filed within 2 years of arrival or the date transportation stopped. Domestic injury claims are generally governed by California's 2-year statute. Early action preserves evidence and protects your deadline.

CA Law

Airlines investigate and document immediately

Airlines complete internal incident reports within hours of any in-flight injury. These reports are powerful discovery documents — but airlines can characterize events favorably to themselves. Having legal counsel early ensures a competing record.

In-flight and airport injuries

Types of Airline Injury Claims We Handle

Not every airline injury involves a crash. Routine in-flight incidents cause serious harm, and airlines are legally responsible when their crew or equipment falls short.

Turbulence Injuries

Unsecured passengers thrown against cabin ceilings, armrests, or overhead bins during unexpected severe turbulence — when warnings were inadequate or crew failed to secure the cabin.

Falling Overhead Baggage

Heavy bags falling from overhead bins injure passengers regularly. Airlines have a duty to ensure bins are secured and crew-loaded items are safe.

Beverage Burns & Spill Injuries

Hot beverages served at unsafe temperatures, spills caused by turbulence, or service negligence can cause serious burn injuries.

Jetway & Boarding Area Accidents

Slippery jetways, defective boarding bridges, and crowded gate areas are common sites for falls and crush injuries.

Slip & Falls on Aircraft

Wet floors in galley areas, near lavatories, and in the aisle during service — inadequate hazard management by crew.

Medical Emergency Mismanagement

Airlines have a duty to provide reasonable medical assistance to passengers experiencing in-flight emergencies. Failures to respond appropriately can give rise to claims.

Document everything

What to Do After an In-Flight Injury

Your actions on the aircraft and in the airport immediately following an injury are critical. Airlines begin their own documentation immediately.

Report the injury before leaving the aircraft

Ask crew to complete an incident report before deplaning. Request a copy. This is critical evidence.

Seek medical attention at the airport

Many airports have medical facilities. A contemporaneous medical record links your injury to the flight.

Document everything

Photograph your injury, the object that caused it, and the location on the aircraft. Get witness names and contact information.

Keep your boarding pass and travel records

You will need proof of the specific flight, seat assignment, and aircraft type.

Do not file a claim directly with the airline without counsel

Airlines have claims representatives who are trained to minimize payouts. Having an attorney ensures your claim is properly valued.

Injured on a Flight?

Get the Compensation You Deserve.

Free consultation · Pay nothing unless we win · 6,000+ cases handled

800-953-0075

Arya Firoozmand, Esq. — Founding Partner

UCLA Law · Personal Injury Partner · 6,000+ Cases

Airlines want you to think that in-flight injuries are just 'one of those things.' They're not. When crew didn't warn you about turbulence, when a bin was overpacked, when the jetway was wet and unmarked — that's negligence, and you're entitled to compensation.

Client Stories

Hear From the People We've Helped

“I had a very good experience with these lawyers. I’d recommend them to anyone looking for quality legal advice and fantastic service. Curt is an Ace.”

Jack Hoskinson

“Overall experience was great. Arya was extremely knowledgeable and guided me through a stressful time in my life. Response times were quick and reassuring. Very happy with the outcome of my case.”

David Chau

“Helped now on three different occasions. Have referred Curt to at least three other people.”

Scott MacDonell

What you can recover

Compensation Available After an Airline Injury

In-flight and airport injuries can range from burns and fractures to traumatic brain injuries. California and international law provide full compensation for your losses.

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Medical Expenses
Emergency care, surgery, and ongoing treatment for injuries sustained on board or during boarding/deplaning.
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Lost Wages
Income lost during recovery from in-flight injuries, including for international trip disruptions.
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Pain & Suffering
Physical pain and emotional distress from burns, fractures, spinal injuries, and other in-flight harm.
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Travel Disruption
Costs of missed connections, emergency return flights, and international trip cancellations caused by the injury.
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Permanent Injury
Compensation for lasting harm — including scarring from burns, chronic pain from spinal injuries, or reduced mobility.

Track record

Recent Verdicts & Settlements

Past outcomes don't guarantee future results, but they show what's possible when evidence is preserved and all defendants are pursued.

$6M Auto versus government entity settlement.

$4M Slip and fall at major retailer.

$2.5M Slip and fall at major retailer.

$1.5M Complex auto vs auto case.

$900K Complicated auto vs auto accident.

$700K Resolved following an auto accident injury.

Know your rights

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue an airline for a turbulence injury even if I wasn't wearing my seatbelt?

Possibly, but your failure to wear a seatbelt may reduce your recovery under California's comparative fault rules. However, if the crew failed to turn on the fasten-seatbelt sign despite foreseeable turbulence, failed to warn passengers, or if the turbulence was detected by onboard systems and ignored, the airline's negligence may still be the primary cause. Each case turns on its specific facts.

What is the Montreal Convention and how does it affect my claim?

The Montreal Convention is an international treaty governing liability for passenger injuries on international airline flights between signatory countries (including the US, EU, and most major destinations). It provides strict liability up to approximately 128,821 SDR (~$175,000 USD) without proving negligence. Above that threshold, airlines can defend, but the burden shifts to them to prove they took all reasonable measures to avoid the harm. The Convention does not cap total damages.

The airline offered me a refund and some travel credits. Should I accept?

No — at least not without consulting an attorney first. Accepting compensation from an airline may constitute a release of your legal claims. Airlines sometimes make these offers knowing that the value of your medical and other damages far exceeds what they are offering. A refund and travel credits do not compensate you for medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

How long do I have to make a claim against an airline?

For international flights, the Montreal Convention imposes a strict 2-year deadline running from the date of arrival. For domestic flights, California's 2-year personal injury statute generally applies (CCP §335.1). Both deadlines can run faster than you expect — contact us as soon as possible after your injury.

Injured on a Flight or at the Airport? Airlines Are Liable.

What You Need to Know Before You Settle