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Aviation Accidents

Our team of specialist aviation solicitors have supported hundreds of individuals affected by aviation accidents.

In today’s world, international air travel is more accessible and affordable than ever, with millions choosing to fly abroad for business, to visit loved ones, or simply to enjoy a holiday. For many, the flight is an integral part of the overall travel experience.

However, whether you're heading to your destination or returning home, things don't always go as planned. Unexpected events during a flight can sometimes lead to serious injury. 

While we all expect to board, travel, and disembark safely, unfortunately, that’s not always guaranteed.

Aviation Disasters 

Aviation disasters, though rare, can have devastating consequences for passengers and crew, ranging from serious injury to loss of life. In the aftermath of such events, our experienced team is here to support injured individuals and bereaved families in seeking answers, justice, and compensation. 

Aviation Accidents

Our specialist team has extensive experience handling a wide range of incidents that occur during air travel, including whilst embarking an aeroplane, flying and whilst disembarking. Commonly we deal with:

  • Injuries from turbulence
  • Falling, tripping or slipping injuries in airports, onboard aircrafts and whilst embarking or disembarking
  • Injuries caused by cabin crew negligence or the negligence of others
  • Injuries from falling luggage 
  • Collisions involving airport transfer buses and other vehicles
  • Assault or sexual assault from other passengers or crew members
  • Claims brought by crew members due to unsafe working conditions, inadequate PPE, or faulty equipment

Our team is experienced in supporting both passengers and crew, and committed to helping you understand your rights and pursue appropriate action.

The Montreal Convention 

The Montreal Convention is an international agreement that sets out uniform rules for passenger injury claims arising from international air travel. It applies exclusively to accidents occurring during boarding, the flight itself, or disembarkation.

Under the Convention, airlines can be held strictly liable, meaning you don’t need to prove negligence. However, to succeed, you must show that the injury resulted from an "accident" that was unexpected and beyond your control.

Claims under the Montreal Convention must be brought within two years of the accident, so early legal advice is essential.

How can we help? 

Aviation accidents can be one of the more complex types of personal injury case to pursue and we would always recommend seeking expert legal advice. 

Our team of specialist aviation solicitors have supported hundreds of individuals affected by aviation accidents. 

Please get touch for a complimentary initial consultation, where we can review the merits of your case and determine how we may be able to assist you.

FAQs

To start an aviation claim, please contact our dedicated travel and aviation team on 020 3797 8255 or email travelclaims@leighday.co.uk to arrange a complimentary consultation. You can speak with one of our specialist lawyers to discuss your case where we can advise whether we believe you have a claim and the next steps required to progress matters. 

You have the right to claim compensation for your injuries as well as any related financial losses.

A straightforward aviation claim could take one to two years to conclude. We would expect a more complex accident or aviation disaster to take a lot longer to resolve as there would be various investigations ongoing at any one time. A lot will depend on how engaged the airline is with the claim and whether they decide to admit or deny liability for what happened.

Nathaniel Martindale

Senior associate solicitor

Nathaniel Martindale is a senior associate solicitor on the travel team.

Personal injury Travel Travel claims