Long Beach Airport provides easy access to the city of Long Beach, to downtown Los Angeles and northern Orange County. It is viewed as an easier and less chaotic option compared to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). However, like any airport, Long Beach Airport comes with its own set of risks for accidents and injuries.
In any airport, there are vehicles as well as a variety of equipment and machines that leave travelers and visitors vulnerable to injury.
If you or a loved one has been injured at the Long Beach Airport as a result of someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries, damages and losses. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to help you better understand your legal rights and options.
About Long Beach Airport: What You Need to Know
The Long Beach Airport is located on 1,166 acres of land, 3 miles northeast of downtown Long Beach and caters widely to the Southern California region and specifically to the Greater Los Angeles area. It is the 10th busiest airport in the state of California with about 1.4 million passengers boarding flights each year on average.
The airport caters to commercial, cargo, military and general aviation activity. A number of airlines operate out of Long Beach Airport including American, Delta, Hawaiian and Southwest.
Common Accidents at Long Beach Airport
Here are some of the most common types of accidents that occur at all U.S. airports and could potentially occur at Long Beach Airport as well:
Car Accidents
There is no shortage of cars that come in and out of the airport. Long Beach Airport also offers rental car service. While Long Beach Airport may not be as crowded as LAX, there are still times when it could be chaotic and extremely busy. Distracted or inattentive drivers may end up crashing into other vehicles or pedestrians and cause injuries and damage.
Accidents Involving Boarding Ramps and Jet Bridges
Jet bridges and boarding ramps are commonly used in Long Beach Airport to connect terminals to the aircraft, and to offer passengers a safe and convenient way to board the aircraft. However, there are times when attention to detail could cause hazardous conditions on boarding ramps that could result in slip-trip-and-fall accidents. These jet bridges and boarding ramps can also handle only a limited number of people. It is the staff's responsibility to ensure that travelers are boarding in an orderly fashion and that they are avoiding overcrowding, which could result in structural collapse and major injuries.
Airport Slip and Fall Accidents
Spilled liquids in airports or freshly mopped slick floors could leave people at risk for slip-and-fall accidents. It is the responsibility of airport staff and management to ensure that spills are promptly cleaned. The public should also be warned about any such dangers by posting "wet floor" or "hazard" signs so such accidents and injuries can be prevented.
Construction Accidents
Airports are also constantly undergoing renovation or redesign and Long Beach Airport is no exception. The Long Beach City Council in 2020 approved a major $80-million improvement project at the Long Beach Airport to construct new facilities, which could very well extend into 2023. These types of projects could result in accidents and injuries not just for workers, but also travelers and passers by. Construction companies and contractors should take every possible step to make sure the worksites are safe for workers and others.
Escalator and Elevator Accidents
Airports have elevators and escalators to help people get quickly to their destinations in the airport. Sometimes, malfunctioning or defective elevators or escalators could cause accidents and injuries. It is the responsibility of the airport management and maintenance companies to make sure these are in good working order, and receive routine service and maintenance.
Assaults
Security is a serious concern in any airport and management is also responsible for making sure passengers, visitors and guests are safe. Whether it's physical fights that break out on the premises or a mass assault, airports must have safety plans in place for all scenarios.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Airport Accident Injuries?
Here are some of the parties who could be held liable for airport accident injuries:
Airport management: It is the responsibility of the airport management to ensure that routine inspection and maintenance work is conducted. When they fail to do so, they can be held financially responsible for the injuries, damages and losses caused by such negligence.
Maintenance companies: Often times, airports contract maintenance work to third party companies. If the negligence of a contractor or third party company results in your injuries, you can hold them liable as well for your losses.
Business owners: If you've been injured as the negligence of a business owner such as a duty-free shop, store, restaurant, bar or coffee shop in the airport, you may be able to hold them accountable for your injuries, damages and loss.
Other individuals or entities: If you have been injured in a car accident as the result of negligence on the part of another driver, you may be able to file an injury lawsuit against those parties seeking compensation.
Since a number of parties could potentially be involves in these types of accidents, it would be in your best interest to contact an experienced Long Beach personal injury lawyer who can help you pursue your legal rights.
What Steps Should You Take After an Airport Accident?
If you have been injured in an accident in or outside the airport, make sure you get prompt medical attention. Call for help. File a report with the appropriate authorities and obtain a copy of the report for your records. Try to get as many photos and videos as possible of the accident site and your injuries.
If anyone saw your accident, be sure to get their contact information so they can testify to what happened. Contact an experienced Long Beach personal injury lawyer who can help assess your potential case.
What is the Statute of Limitations?
In most such injury cases in California, the statute of limitations or deadline to file a lawsuit is two years after the date of injury. However, if the defendant is a government entity, the law requires plaintiffs to file a notice of claim or administrative claim within 180 days or six months of the injury.
If the governmental entity denies your claim or fails to respond within 45 days, you will then have two years to file a lawsuit in civil court. Failing to file in a timely manner could jeopardize your case or affect the compensation you can recover, which is why it is imperative that you reach out a knowledgeable personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
How Our Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
The experienced and knowledgeable Long Beach airport injury attorneys can help uphold your rights and put you on the path to receiving fair and full compensation for all your losses. We will help you identify the potential liable parties since there may be multiple parties who can be held responsible for your accident and injuries.
We will help gather crucial evidence to strengthen your claim. We can help conduct independent investigations that can help establish fault.
At Greenberg and Ruby, we understand that dealing with the aftermath of a serious injury can take a physical, emotional and financial toll not only on victims, but also their families. Call us at (323) 782-0535 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
