Travel Smarter: Reducing Risk on the Ground Before Takeoff

Most travelers worry about turbulence, flight delays and lost luggage when they travel. But what about…

The risks you face on the ground before you even board your flight?

It’s not what most travelers think. Airports are chaotic places with plenty of opportunity for accidents to happen before you board your plane. Slips, trips and falls cause thousands of injuries every year at airports across the country. And if you’re like most travelers – or even an airport employee – you might not know about your legal rights until it’s too late.

Here’s what you need to know:

Why Ground-Level Airport Injuries Are So Common
Hidden Dangers Travelers Overlook at Airports
Applying for Workplace Injury Compensation After an Airport Injury
Takeaways: How to Protect Yourself Before You Fly

Why Ground-Level Airport Injuries Are So Common

Think about it…

Airports are dangerous places where injuries can happen at any moment. Sure, they clean up nicely. Everyone zipping through the terminal with oversized luggage, scrambling up and down escalators while scrolling through their phones.

Slip and fall accidents are a leading cause of ER visits throughout the U.S. In fact, according to the National Safety Council, slip and fall injuries send more than one million Americans to emergency rooms each year. Airports are no exception.

A few of the most common hazards at airports that lead to trips, slips and falls include:

Wet floors from recent cleaning or spilled liquids
Crowded sidewalks and walkways
Uneven surfaces
Escalator and elevator malfunctions
Dimly lit parking structures and terminals

Whenever an injury occurs on someone else’s property, there’s a question of who’s at fault. That’s why having an airport accident lawyer on your side is so important. Airports and property owners have a responsibility to provide safe environments for guests and employees.

Understanding how workplace injury compensation and premises liability works is key to any accident at an airport. Let’s dive into some common airport injuries that employees and travelers face every day.

Hidden Dangers Travelers Miss at Airports

Here’s a surprising fact most travelers don’t see coming.

It’s the hidden hazards. Places you don’t expect to trip or slip. Picture this…

You just got off the highway after several hours of driving. You’re tired, running late for your flight and not paying attention to your surroundings.

Then…

You’re walking through the terminal minding your own business and you slip on a puddle of water someone spilled near the food court.

Unexpected spills, broken pavement and construction zones are everywhere. That’s why the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that falls, slips and trips caused 844 fatal workplace injuries in 2024 alone. Falls that occur at airports are no different, but there are far more contributing factors.

Since airport employees work at airports every day, they are at higher risk for these types of injuries. From baggage handlers to cleaning crews, airport workers face dangerous conditions day in and day out.

Types of injuries can range from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries depending on where the victim fell. But these workers are covered by workplace injury compensation because it happened in the scope of their employment.

Employees aren’t the only ones at risk for injury at airports. Passengers can also file personal injury claims if they’re hurt due to negligent property maintenance.

How Workplace Injury Compensation Applies to Airports

Did you know…

There are laws and regulations in place to protect airport employees and passengers who experience an injury at an airport?

Employees can file a workplace injury compensation claim if they are hurt during their regular shift at the airport. These claims can provide:

Payment for medical treatment
Rehabilitative services
Lost wages if they are unable to work
Disability if the injury is severe enough

As a traveler, you can also file a personal injury claim against the negligent party if you are hurt at the airport. These claims can provide compensation for:

Emergency medical treatment
Follow-up visits and recovery
Disrupted travel expenses
Pain and suffering

As with any injury, it’s important to document what happens ASAP. Take pictures of the accident scene and gather contact information from witnesses whenever possible.

Also, be sure to report your injury to airport authorities immediately. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to prove your case.

Takeaways: How To Protect Yourself Before You Fly

So there’s some good news…

Ground-level injuries at airports are completely preventable. Knowing what to look for before you travel is half the battle.

Here are a few things you can do to prevent injuries on the ground:

Wear comfortable shoes with grips on the bottom. Airports have a lot of stairs, escalators and slick surfaces. You’ll thank yourself later.
Be mindful of where you’re going. High-traffic areas are prone to more injuries. Food courts, security lines and baggage claim are common places to get hurt.
Heed wet floor signs. They’re there for a reason. If you see one, take a different route. Or if you have to cross, take extra caution.
Hold onto handrails. Seriously. You’d be surprised how many people hop onto escalators without holding onto the rails. Keep your hands secure at all times.
Report hazards you see immediately. Noticed a spill in the food court? Broken tiles on the sidewalk? Report it to airport staff immediately. It could save someone else a trip to the ER.

Bonus tip for airport employees: Always follow workplace safety guidelines. Not only should you know how to file a workplace injury compensation claim if an injury occurs, but you should know how to prevent one in the first place.

Taking It Home

Airport injuries don’t just happen while you’re flying. In fact, most injuries happen before you board the plane on the ground.

That’s why it’s important to know your legal rights if an accident were to happen. Ground-level accidents are common and can seriously change your life in an instant.

Remember…