Hurt at Buffalo Niagara Airport or In the Air? 

Don’t Let It Slide.

If you’ve been hurt mid-air or while rushing through the airport, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed. Maybe even scared. 

You’re in pain, trying to figure out what just happened. Was it turbulence? A careless employee? A slick floor with no warning sign? Suddenly, your focus shifts from travel plans to doctors, bills, and unanswered questions. 

The Buffalo personal injury attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, help people just like you find answers and get justice when accidents disrupt their lives. You didn’t plan for this. And you definitely shouldn’t have to deal with it all by yourself. 

Our experienced Buffalo law firm knows how tough this situation can be, mentally, physically, and financially. Leave it to us to go after what you're legally owed. Focus on your recovery while we handle the rest.

Injured on a Flight Out of Buffalo? Let’s Get to the Bottom of It

You got hurt on a flight out of the city, and now you’re wondering: Who’s paying for this mess? The airline? Another passenger? Are you just stuck with the bill? It’s not always obvious and that’s what makes it frustrating.

Airlines operate as "common carriers," which means they have a legal duty to keep passengers safe. They’re held to a higher standard than most businesses. So when something goes wrong, whether a faulty seat, overhead bin issues, or careless crew behavior, it’s fair to ask if they dropped the ball.

Now, turbulence is a different beast. If that’s what caused your injury, proving fault gets trickier. But don’t assume you’re out of luck. What matters most is what the airline did or didn’t do before and during that event. 

Airline Negligence: The Truth You Need

Airlines aren’t perfect. And sometimes, their mistakes hurt people. That’s negligence, plain and simple. Here’s what that might look like:

• Carry-on luggage crashing down from an overhead bin that wasn’t properly closed.
• A hot drink burns you because a flight attendant lost their balance during service.
• Your seat malfunctions mid-flight, and suddenly you’re hurt.

If their failure to act safely caused your injury, they need to be held accountable. A personal injury law firm can guide you throughout the process. 

Proving Liability After an In-Flight Injury

Airlines love to say, “We followed procedure.” But that doesn’t mean they’re off the hook.

Here’s what you need to do right after an in-flight injury:

• Tell the flight crew right away and make sure it’s documented.
• Ask for a copy of the incident report.
• Take photos if you’re able - of the injury, the scene, anything relevant.
• Talk to nearby passengers and get their contact info if they saw what happened.

Don’t wait to get medical help. Even if the pain doesn’t hit you until the next day, get checked out, secure MRI diagnosis if necessary, and save all your records.

You shouldn’t have to worry about getting hurt by someone who’s supposed to help you. But it happens too often. Maybe a staff member dropped something heavy. Maybe they were rushing and ran into you. Or maybe they just ignored safety protocols altogether.

Whatever the case, if you’re hurt because of an airport employee’s actions, it’s not just bad luck. It’s carelessness and it’s a legal issue.

Holding Buffalo Airport Employees Liable

Here are just a few situations where the airport or the people working in it might be on the hook:

• You slip because a janitor mopped the floor but didn’t leave a warning sign.
• A gate agent mishandles equipment and it hits you.
• TSA gets too rough during screening, and you’re left bruised or worse.

We’ll dig into security footage, inspection logs, even staff policies to show they messed up. Then, we go after the responsible party.

Immediate Steps After Airport Staff-Related Injuries

Still at the airport? Try to do this before you head out:

• Report what happened to airport security or a supervisor
• Ask for the incident report and write down the names of anyone involved
• Take photos of where it happened and anything unsafe you noticed 

Then, see a doctor. Even if you feel “fine,” adrenaline can mask pain. Documenting your injuries early protects your health and your claim.

Slip and fall accidents in airports are more than a little embarrassing. They can be painful, expensive, and totally preventable. 

Airports have a legal duty to keep their walkways safe. When they don’t? That’s negligence. Don’t let them brush it off.

Top Causes of Airport Slip and Fall Accidents

Here’s what we see most often at Niagara:

• Wet floors with zero warning signs—especially near restrooms or entryways 
• Spilled drinks in food court areas that go uncleaned for way too long
• Loose rugs or bunched-up carpeting in gate areas
• Snow and ice dragged inside during long, messy winters 

If someone failed to fix or warn you about a hazard in time? That’s on them—not you.

Turbulence from Hell? If You Got Hurt, You Deserve Answers

Turbulence feels random. One second, you’re sipping your coffee. The next, you’re airborne—only to land hard. 

If you were hurt during turbulence, the airline may still be responsible. They must warn you about known or expected turbulence and do what they can to prevent injuries.

So we ask:

• Did weather forecasts or flight paths show signs of turbulence? 
• Did the crew wait too long to issue a seatbelt warning?
• Were you allowed to walk around the cabin when it wasn’t safe? 

If the answer is “yes” to any of these, you might have a case.

Injured on an International Flight? Here’s What the Law Says

International flights come with a whole different set of rules and the Montreal Convention is the big one. If your flight from Buffalo took you out of the U.S., and you were injured on board or while boarding or deplaning, this treaty probably applies.

This international law gives passengers like you real protections:

• You’re entitled to compensation for injuries caused by onboard accidents 
• There’s a strict two-year deadline to file your claim 
• Damages can cover your missed work and wages, medical bills, and more

Don’t wait. These cases move fast—and missing a deadline can cost you everything.

We Help Injured Air Travelers Departing New York

The Buffalo personal injury lawyers at Horn Wright, LLP, know how quickly travel can turn into trauma. If you were injured mid-air or at the airport, we’re here to help you take control. 

Our team handles everything, from the paperwork to the legal pressure, so you can breathe easier, focus on recovery, and get your life back on track. 

Whether you're seeking help from a local accident lawyer, exploring workplace injury claims after being hurt while on the job, or even dealing with issues that might involve a medical malpractice attorney, we’ve got the experience to support you. 

And yes, we know the ins and outs of New York injury compensation laws, even if your injury started on a plane and not in a car crash scenario. Bottom line: If it involves injury and it happened in or around the city, our trusted legal team is ready to stand up for you. 

When you’re ready to take action, don’t settle. One of the best law firms in America is here to fight for what you deserve. Call our office today at (716) 335-9239 to request your free and confidential consultation.