Air travel in America is safer than ever before, with an extremely low incidence of mechanical failures and crashes. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, more than 1.7 million domestic passengers per day flew in 2013 without a single fatality. Unfortunately, there is one aspect of flying that remains hazardous: the danger of injuries from turbulence. This danger is especially acute for flight attendants because of their job duties in the air. Illinois flight attendants can safeguard their rights by learning more about work-related injuries and the benefits available to help with recovery.
Why do flight attendants face an increased risk of turbulence injuries?
When passengers are seated with their seat belts properly fastened, they face almost no risk of physical harm from turbulence. Although extreme turbulence can be hard on the nerves, modern commercial airplanes are designed to withstand it without incident. Passengers will stay safe if they are securely belted in at all times. Flight attendants do not have this option. Their duties include many hours of food service, beverage service, cleanup, safety checks and attending to the needs of passengers. Most airline attendants will spend a considerable percentage of any given flight out of their seats. When heavy turbulence strikes, as it often does without warning, they are more likely to incur severe injury.
What do turbulence injuries look like?
Some flight attendants are permanently unable to return to work after traumatic injuries caused by turbulence. A study of two major U.S. air carriers made by the Association of Flight Attendants showed that 143 flight attendants faced disabling injuries during the year 2009 alone. Severe turbulence can turn heavy objects into dangerous projectiles. While flight attendants are standing in the aisle, they are in danger of multiple injuries from service carts, including all of the following:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Severe bruising
- Head or neck injuries
If a plane drops suddenly because of clear air turbulence, an unsecured person can also hit the ceiling and suffer a concussion.
Injured flight attendants can claim workers’ compensation
When flight attendants are injured in the line of duty, they can claim workers’ compensation for lost wages and expenses connected to their recovery. They have the right to disability payments, coverage of medical treatment, vocational rehabilitation and benefits paid to survivors in the event of a fatal injury. According to Illinois workers’ compensation law, these benefits must be paid promptly and consistently as long as the work-related disability lasts. Are you living with the aftermath of a turbulence injury? Contact an attorney today to learn more about your options.
