Airport Accident Claims

Navigating a busy airport can be a chaotic experience, and the last thing anyone expects is to suffer an injury in the process. If you’ve been unfortunate enough to be involved in an incident at an airport, you may be entitled to make an airport accident claim. From slipping on a wet floor in the terminal to being injured by a faulty escalator, accidents can occur in many different ways, turning what should be a pleasant experience into a nightmare.

Whether you are at an airport to go on a holiday abroad or are one of the thousands of people who work at a UK airport, you are entitled to expect a safe environment. If this fails to materialise and you suffer an injury as a result of the airport operator’s negligence, you could be entitled to claim compensation.

Arrange a free consultation with a legal adviser by calling 0800 470 0474 or fill out our online claim form to request a call back. If you meet the requirements to make a claim, you will be connected with an experienced personal injury solicitor who will help you claim the compensation you deserve on a no win no fee* basis. This service means there are no upfront costs, no risk and nothing to pay if your claim is unsuccessful.

Find out if you can claim

Call 0800 470 0474 now or request a call back below:

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By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy. With no win no fee you typically pay 25% of your compensation if your claim is successful, but the fee can vary. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your solicitor.

Table of Contents

• Do I have a valid airport accident claim?
  • What constitutes an airport accident?
  • Am I eligible to claim compensation?
• What type of accidents could result in an airport compensation claim?
• What are the most common airport injuries?
• Can I claim for an accident I had while working at an airport?
• Can I claim compensation if I was assaulted at an airport?
• Can I make a personal injury claim if I'm injured at an airport abroad?
• How long do I have to make an airport accident claim?
• How much compensation can I claim for an accident in an airport?
• Can I claim airport accident compensation with a no win no fee agreement?

Do I have a valid airport accident claim?

If you’ve suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence or oversight while at an airport, you should be eligible to claim compensation. This is because all UK airports have a duty of care to ensure the safety and well-being of all passengers, visitors and members of staff. This applies to various aspects of the airport environment, from ensuring that walkways are free of hazards to maintaining the proper function of lifts, escalators, and other machinery.

What constitutes an airport accident?

An airport accident can occur in numerous settings, including:

• Terminal buildings
• Car parks
• Security checkpoints
• Airport-run shuttle buses
• Retail and dining areas

The injuries sustained in these accidents can range from minor cuts and sprains to broken bones and serious head injuries.

Am I eligible to claim compensation?

To successfully make an airport accident claim, you will need to prove the following:

• That you were owed a duty of care by the entity responsible for the airport or part of the airport where the accident occurred.
• That there was a breach of that duty.
• That you suffered an injury or injuries as a result of that breach.

To establish the above, you will need to provide relevant evidence to support your claim. This could include photographs of the accident scene, witness statements and medical reports. You should also report the accident to a member of staff and ask for a copy of the accident report log.

If you have been injured and want to find out if you can claim compensation for an airport accident, call 0800 470 0474 for a free consultation with a legal adviser. If you would prefer to receive a call back, simply enter your details into our online claim form.

What type of accidents could result in an airport compensation claim?

The UK is home to 40 commercial airports, carrying passengers and cargo to locations worldwide. The most popular UK airports include Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted, Luton, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newcastle, Bristol and Glasgow Airport.

According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, 2022 saw more than 224 million passengers travel through these Airports. Heathrow alone had over 61 million passengers in 2022, making it the 8th busiest airport in the world.

With such a huge number of people working and passing through airports on a daily basis, there are numerous types of accidents that could occur. Some of the most common accidents that could result in an airport accident claim include:

• Slips and trips – Slips, trips and falls are some of the most common types of accidents we deal with. These can happen in and around the airport for various reasons, such as wet or slippery airport floors without warning signs or poorly lit areas, making it difficult to see potential hazards. You could trip due to an uneven surface or loose carpet, or fall down some stairs because of a broken handrail.
• Baggage carousel accidents – Baggage carousels can pose a real risk of injury. Accidents can happen when luggage is improperly loaded and falls off, hitting a passenger. If the carousels are not maintained properly, they may not function correctly or have sharp edges that could cause an injury or accident.
• Airport vehicle accidents – Most airports use of a range of vehicles to help transport passengers, luggage and workers from one place to another. You could be injured while travelling on a shuttle bus due to a collision, or hit by a luggage carrier that is travelling through the airport. Providing somebody else was at fault for your accident, you could make a claim for compensation.
• Food poisoning – Going to the airport usually involves a lot of waiting around, which is why they are filled with a range of shops and restaurants to keep you entertained. If the food served in an airport restaurant is not cooked or handled correctly, it could cause you to become ill. Not only could this ruin your holiday, but it could also enable you to make a food poisoning compensation claim.
• Airport car park accidents – With so many people travelling to and from airports, the car parks can be extremely busy. If you are injured in an accident with a vehicle of another passenger, you would be entitled to make a car accident claim against them. If the accident was caused by the negligence of the airport itself, such as being hit by a faulty security barrier or tripping in a pothole, you could potentially make an accident claim against the airport operator.

No matter what type of accident caused your injury, the important thing to remember is that if it was caused by the negligence of the airport or another third party, you could be eligible to claim compensation.

What are the most common airport injuries?

Airports are a hive of activity, where thousands of passengers pass through every day. With the hustle and bustle, it’s unsurprising that accidents do happen. When they do, the types of injuries sustained can vary widely, but there are some that are more commonly encountered than others, including:

• Sprains and Strains. Most commonly associated with slip, trip, and fall accidents, sprains and strains can occur when walking on uneven surfaces or slipping on wet floors. These injuries range from mild discomfort to severe, long-term problems requiring extensive medical care.
• Fractures and broken bones. A fall from height, such as down a flight of stairs, or a severe trip and fall accident could result in fractured or broken bones. These injuries can take weeks or even months to heal and might require surgery.
• Head and brain injuries. An accident involving falling objects or a collision with a vehicle might lead to concussions or more severe forms of traumatic brain injury. Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, and in severe cases, cognitive impairment.
• Cuts and lacerations. Faulty or sharp edges on seats, security bins, or escalators can result in cuts and lacerations. These may require stitches and leave permanent scars, serving as a lasting reminder of the incident.
• Burns. Accidents in airport restaurants or cafes can lead to burns from hot drinks, food, or cooking equipment. These can be extremely painful and may require specialised medical treatment.
• Soft tissue injuries. Occurring in collisions with airport carts or vehicles, or even from handling heavy luggage, soft tissue injuries can include bruising, tearing, or other damage to muscles, ligaments, or tendons.
• Spinal injuries. These are less common but far more severe. Spinal injuries can occur from significant falls, lifting heavy objects, or accidents involving airport vehicles like shuttle buses.

There are, of course, many other types of injuries and illnesses that could be caused by the negligence of an airport and result in a successful claim.

Can I claim for an accident I had while working at an airport?

Hundreds of thousands of people work across the 40 commercial airports in the UK. Heathrow Airport alone employs over 76,000 people. This includes airport security, baggage handlers, engineers, customer service, hospitality workers and many more. All airport staff are entitled to expect a safe working environment. If you work within an airport and suffer an accident at work caused by your employer’s negligence, you could make an accident at work claim.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, as well as other workplace legislation, your employer has a legal obligation to:

• Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards within the airport that could cause an accident or injury.
• Provide members of staff with appropriate training to carry out their tasks safely. This could include training on correct lifting techniques to prevent baggage handlers from sustaining back injuries at work.
• Ensure workers are given appropriate PPE, such as safety boots, hi-vis clothing, gloves or ear protectors.
• Ensure you are given adequate periods of rest to minimise the risk of injuries from occurring, particularly repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and bursitis.

You could be entitled to make an airport accident compensation claim if your employer failed to meet their health and safety requirements and you suffered an injury as a result. To begin your claim, call 0800 470 0474 or use our online claim form to receive a call back.

Can I claim compensation if I was assaulted at an airport?

Catching a flight, especially with young children, can be incredibly stressful. Adding large crowds and potential flight delays to the mix, it is no wonder that tempers can sometimes get frayed. This can sometimes lead to arguments among passengers and airport staff, and in the worst cases, can result in violence.

If you are assaulted at an airport by another passenger, it is important to notify the police and airport security. If the attack happened in the UK, you can claim compensation for your injuries through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). This is a government body that pays personal injury compensation to the innocent victims of violent crimes such as assaults.

If an airport employee assaulted you, your claim could potentially be made against the employer.

Can I make a personal injury claim if I’m injured at an airport abroad?

All airports across the world have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for passengers who travel to and from their premises. So if you’ve had an accident abroad and the airport was at fault, you should still be eligible to make a claim. However, it is important to speak to a specialist personal injury solicitor who deals with accidents abroad, as the rules and requirements can vary considerably from country to country.

To discuss your case with an experienced legal adviser, call 0800 470 0474 or use our online claim form if you would prefer to receive a call back. They will ask you a few questions about the accident and injury to determine if you could be eligible to start a compensation claim.

How long do I have to make an airport accident claim?

Under the Limitation Act 1980, you usually have up to three years to make a personal injury claim. This begins from either the date of your accident or when your injuries are diagnosed by a doctor (known as the date of knowledge). However, keep in mind that there are a few exceptions to this rule, the most common of which are outlined below:

• With child accident claims, there is no time limit for a parent or legal guardian to make a personal injury claim on their behalf. The three year limitation period only begins once the child turns 18 years old if a claim has not already been made. For example, if you are injured in an airport when you are 8 years old, you would have until your 21st birthday to claim compensation.
• The rules can vary if you are injured in an airport abroad, depending on whether you were travelling independently or as part of a package holiday. It is best to speak to a solicitor specialising in holiday accident claims as soon as possible, as the time limit could be much shorter than three years.
• In some cases the injured person may not have the mental capacity to make legal decisions. In these instances, the limitation period is suspended, enabling a family member or close friend to claim injury compensation on their behalf.

If you are thinking of making a personal injury claim, we would recommend starting the process as close to the accident date as possible. Building a strong airport accident claim requires evidence, which will likely be easier for you and your solicitor to collect closer to when the accident happened

How much compensation can I claim for an accident in an airport?

The amount of compensation for your injuries is based on a number of different factors. This includes the type and severity of the injuries and the impact they have on your life, which is called general damages. And any financial losses caused by the accident, which is called special damages.

When assessing the amount of compensation you are entitled to if you are injured at an airport, a personal injury lawyer will take into account the following:

• The pain and suffering caused by the injuries.
• Any anxiety, embarrassment or other psychological distress caused by the accident.
• The impact the injuries have had on hobbies and activities you would normally enjoy.
• Any loss of income if you were unable to work, including future losses if you are unable to work longer term.
• The cost of travel expenses, such as taxi or bus fares to and from medical appointments.
• Medical costs, such as prescriptions, physiotherapy or counselling.

The personal injury solicitors we work in partnership with will always aim to secure the maximum amount of compensation possible. For general damages, your solicitor will use the industry standard guidelines provided by the Judicial College. You can use our compensation calculator to get an idea of how much this could be based on your injury.

For special damages, your solicitor will require evidence of your financial losses. This could be in the form of bank statements, receipts, invoices and wage slips.

Can I claim airport accident compensation with a no win no fee agreement?

One of the biggest concerns people have about making a personal injury claim is the potential cost if their claim is unsuccessful. But this isn’t something you need to be worried about if you make an airport accident claim with us. This is because all of the personal injury lawyers we work with provide a 100% no win no fee service.

No win no fee, which is also called a conditional fee agreement, enables you to make an accident claim without any financial risk. You will only pay your solicitor for the work they have done if they are successful in winning your claim for compensation. They will receive a success fee of up to 25% of your compensation, which is fully disclosed and discussed from the outset. If your claim fails, you do not have to pay a penny.

To find out in minutes if you are able to claim, get in touch today by calling 0800 470 0474 or requesting a call back using the contact form below. A friendly and experienced legal adviser will discuss your case and let you know if you may be able to claim compensation for your accident.

Last edited on 22nd Jul 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.