Millions of passengers come through the Pensacola International Airport each year. In fact, more than 3 million passengers flew through Pensacola in 2024. With this volume of air travel, injuries at the airport are bound to happen. 

Keep reading below to learn more about who may be responsible if you get injured at the Pensacola International Airport.

Liability for Injuries at the Pensacola International Airport

When you are on someone else’s property, you expect the premises to be reasonably safe and free from hazards. In fact, the property owner has a legal duty to keep the property free of safety hazards. When they fail to do so, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries through a premises liability claim.

The party who has liability for your injuries usually depends on the specifics of your case. This includes where and how your accident took place. Some common parties who may be responsible include:

  • Local city or county government
  • Airlines
  • Service or maintenance contractors

For instance, imagine that you are hurt in a slip and fall accident due to a spill that was not cleaned in a timely manner. Depending on the specifics of your situation, the airport may face responsibility, or the cleaning company that was contracted to perform cleanup services may have liability. An experienced premises liability lawyer can help you identify the responsible party and help you hold them accountable.

Proving Your Premises Liability Case

To prove a premises liability claim, you typically need to show:

  • Duty of care
  • Breach of duty
  • Causation
  • Damages

The specific legal duty owed to you depends on whether you are considered an invitee, licensee, or trespasser. When you are in the airport, you would generally be considered an invitee. Invitees are owed the highest duty of care.

This means that the airport must reasonably inspect the premises for hazards, warn travelers of known hazards, and take action to correct dangerous conditions within a reasonable timeframe. 

Some common causes of airport injuries include:

  • Wet or slippery floors
  • Loose carpeting or rugs
  • Poor or inadequate lighting
  • Lack of handrails or guardrails
  • Loose gravel
  • Steps or sidewalks in disrepair

When the airport fails to keep the premises in a reasonably safe condition, you may be able to hold them accountable for your damages.

Common Injuries Resulting from Airport Accidents

Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common ways that passengers at the Pensacola International Airport get injured. 

Some common types of injuries resulting from airport accidents include:

  • Broken bones
  • Tendon or ligament damage
  • Dental and facial injuries
  • Bruising and soft tissue damage
  • Leg and hip injuries
  • Shoulder and wrist injuries

If you have suffered an injury at the airport, you may be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages for your injuries. This includes medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Handling Airport Injury Claims

Airport injury claims can be challenging for a few reasons. First, one of the parties that could have liability may be a government entity. Claims against government entities are notoriously complex. These types of claims come along with special notice rules and timeframes.

Florida law typically allows injured victims two years from the date of their accident to file a claim for their injuries. However, when a government entity is involved, the timelines are a little different. Missing the deadline for your case can cause you to lose all your rights to recover compensation.

Contact a Pensacola Personal Injury Lawyer at Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation 

Determining who is responsible for an injury at Pensacola International Airport can be complex, as multiple parties may be involved depending on the circumstances. From the airport authority to airlines or third-party contractors, identifying liability requires a careful review of the facts. 

If you have been injured, taking prompt action to protect your rights is crucial. Contact our experienced Personal Injury lawyers in Florida at Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. We have five convenient locations in Pensacola, Navarre, Crestview, Milton, and Mary Esther.

Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Pensacola Office
803 N Palafox St
Pensacola, FL 32501

Phone: (850) 434-3333