Airline Workers’ Compensation

Workers Comp for Airline Employees, Flight Attendants & Baggage Handlers

Although flying itself is safer than ever before, there are many other risks of injury inherent in working for an airline or airport. In addition to the potential injuries from handling heavy baggage and being on your feet for hours on end, an upsurge in unruly passengers, COVID-19 and other issues present new risks for flight crew, gate agents and baggage handlers.

Fortunately, workers’ compensation benefits are available to any airline or airport employee who becomes injured in their line of work. This includes workers’ comp coverage for sudden, acute injuries (like a fall or dislocated shoulder) – as well as compensation for chronic injuries that occur over time (like back problems) and illnesses contracted at work.

Common Workers Comp Injuries for Airline Baggage Handlers

There are of people airport and airline employees that never leave the ground. These include baggage handlers, load handlers, mechanics, ground crew, gate agents and more.

The average baggage handler lifts approximately five to 10 bags per minute – each typically weighing between 32 and 70 pounds. And lifting is only part of the strain on the body, since handling bags also involves twisting, pulling and pushing that can affect the back, neck, and arms.

Common injuries that happen to people in baggage handling jobs include:

• Injuries from heavy or large baggage
• Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
• Bending and twisting injuries
• Mechanical / machinery injury
• Muscle injuries from moving / lifting disabled passengers
• Slip & falls on wet or slippery surfaces
• Strike by a vehicle or other object
• Accidents from shift work sleep disorder (SWSD)
• Hearing loss from noise exposure

Common Workers Comp Injuries for Flight Attendants

Flight attendants have their own share of injuries, due to the unique nature of performing their duties on crowded planes, while moving at hundreds of miles per hour, thousands of miles in the air. In fact, flight attendants have one of the highest injury and illness rates of all occupations.

Some of the most common on-the-job injuries that flight attendants face include:

• Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) from lifting or moving luggage in overhead bins
• Wrist, shoulder, and back injuries from pushing and pulling food and beverage carts.
• Shift work disorder (SWD) from long, grueling schedules often crossing time zones.
• Stress from passengers who are combative, uncooperative, security risks, or who engage in conflict with other passengers or staff
• Burns and heat from handling hot liquids and ovens during flights
• Bruises, broken bones, or head injuries suffered due to turbulence
• Hearing loss from noise exposure
• Slip and fall injuries due to ramp accidents
• Assault from a passenger
• “Sick airplane syndrome” from poor air quality in the aircraft
• COVID-19 from exposure to infected passengers

Jurisdiction for Flight Attendant Workers Compensation Cases

Many flight attendants are unsure of where (in what State) they are allowed to file a workers’ compensation claim. This is called “jurisdiction.” Jurisdiction for flight attendant workers’ comp claims may lie:

1. In the State where the injury occurred
2. In the State where the flight attendant’s contract for hire was entered into
3. In the State in which the employer’s principal place of business lies
4. In the State in which the Flight Attendant is “based”

For this reason, it is extremely important to consult with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who specializes in flight attendants and airline employees, like the workers’ comp lawyers at Cantrell Green. If you are a flight attendant who was injured at work, they will be able to ensure that you file your workers’ compensation claim in the right State so that you meet the “jurisdictional requirement.”

Airline Employee Workers Compensation Attorneys

If are you are a fight attendant, baggage handler, or other airline employee and you were injured or made ill in the workplace, we recommend that you speak with an experienced workers compensation attorney immediately. An experienced airline employee workers compensation attorney can help you identify minor issues before they become major problems – and make sure that you not only receive your benefits now, but for years to come.

Your consultation with our experienced airline employee workers’ compensation attorneys is 100% confidential, and neither your employer nor your insurance company will be notified that you requested a consultation with us. Our attorneys will help you understand your rights and work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the maximum workers’ compensation benefits for which you qualify.

Flight Attendants & Baggage Handler Workers Compensation Attorneys: 800-964-8047