Obtaining Workers’ Compensation as a Flight Attendant

Flight attendants perform a far more difficult job than people give credit for. Working in restricted spaces increases the risk for injury, more while doing so in the sky. Part of the job of a flight attendant is to make sure your experience as a passenger is safe and comfortable. Yet, passengers do not always provide such an atmosphere. Unruly passengers have become more common, whereby flight attendants have been the subject of physical and sexual assault.

Flight attendants who incur occupational injury in-flight, at airports, or on the tarmac should know that they may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. At The Workplace Lawyers, our attorneys are experienced in flight attendant representation, with some examples of cases results viewable on our case results page.

There are many hazards flight attendants face that can make it difficult to obtain a rewarding, long-term career, including:

Flight Attendant Hazards

• Slip and falls
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Boarding accidents
• Shuttle accidents
• Physical assault from passengers
• Overhead compartment malfunctions
• Falling luggage
• Burns from hot liquids such as coffee or tea
• Pushing the beverage cart
• Food poisoning
• Rough landings or turbulence
• Falling onto the tarmac
• Weather

In addition, there are several common injuries and risks airline hosts and hostesses can face during their employment, including:

Flight Attendant Injuries

• Bruises
• Lacerations
• Herniated discs
• Concussions
• Wrist injuries
• Neck and shoulder injuries
• Sick airplane syndrome, caused by toxic air
• Fatigue and sleep deprivation, which can slow down injury recovery periods

Your Employer May Not Work with You

The job of a flight attendant can be high stakes. When you are thousands of feet up in the air, you will want to do everything you can do to spread calmness and ease fears. This is not always easy, as people may fear for their life during certain situations. How you present yourself can be an important indicator for how passengers react during these times. You act almost as a guide to reassure others. Your presence is important in any situation on an airplane, as people will need assistance.

Incurring injury as a flight attendant is not easy, as you may not be able to return to work. Your boss may employ several aggressive measures to prevent you from financial assistance. They may be adversarial with your condition and outright deny your workers’ compensation claim. Your recovery of workers’ compensation benefits may be drawn out, or you may feel squeezed to sign the terms of a deal that does not adequately cover the cost of your medical bills and expenses.

Employers know how to work around your urgency regarding financial compensation and utilize tactics that serve to take advantage of your situation. When you are up against the employer and the insurance company, it can seem daunting. Your resources versus theirs is what makes the difference. That is why you will need an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to guide you through an otherwise difficult process.

A flight attendant injury lawyer can make sure the employer stays within their boundaries and is unsuccessful if they attempt to undercut the amount of your claim. They can also work to make sure you receive your workers’ compensation benefits on time. Without an attorney, your path in obtaining adequate workers’ compensation benefits can be more difficult, as you may not be aware that you are being underserved.

Serving the Public

The job of a flight attendant requires continuous maintenance and service to the public. The difference between your job and that of some other servicer, however, is that people can be generally anxious and on edge. Unruly passengers often require restraining, which includes being duct taped and tied to seats. Some can go on a rampage, physically and sexually assaulting flight attendants without regard for the consequences of their actions. As a flight attendant, not only can you feel embarrassed after such an incident, but it can also leave lasting trauma. In these circumstances, your psychological injury may also be compensable.

Psychological injury is something that can take years to heal. The recovery process from post-traumatic stress disorder can be a long one. If you are a victim of PTSD due to an in-flight incident as a flight attendant, you will want to contact an airline stewardess injury lawyer. Workers’ compensation can help cover the costs of your medical treatment related to PTSD. If you are unable to recover due to the severity of your psychological injury, you may also be eligible to receive compensation for permanent health impairment.

As Livingston DiMarzio, we recognize that sustaining physical and sexual assault as a flight attendant can be life changing. You may feel like you are unable to trust certain people, practice avoidance tactics, or simply be unable to continue to work as a flight attendant. We recognize these possibilities, and through no fault of your own, can work to help you mitigate the aftereffects of an in-flight episode caused by a passenger.

For reference, here are a couple examples of case results involving flight attendants retrieved from our case results page. Both flight attendants worked for Continental Airlines:

Case Results

“On an overseas flight, a flight attendant was maneuvering a heavy case of alcohol and had to twist and pull to move the case. She injured her neck and subsequently was treated for cervical spondylosis and inflammation. Eventually she required surgery and cervical disc replacements. We secured an amount of $110,580 for the petitioner due to her work-related injuries.”

“A flight attendant was lifting overhead when her lower body was struck by a breakfast cart. She suffered injuries to her lower left leg, left foot, and low back, including Achilles Tendinosis, and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar region. Following conservative treatment, Anthony Brown represented the petitioner and was able to win her a speedy lump sum settlement of $50,000, after which the petitioner returned to work.”

Injured as a Flight Attendant? Contact Us Today.

At the Workplace Lawyers, our team of cabin crew injury lawyers has exercised their collective experience to bring justice for victims of in-flight, airport, or tarmac-related injuries. Flight attendants come to Livingston DiMarzio because of the attorneys’ expertise in leading flight attendants towards a path of physical and financial recovery.

If you are injured as a flight attendant, contact our firm today for a free case consultation. If we choose to take your case, our attorneys, assisted by hard-working paralegals and legal assistants, will guide you through the workers’ compensation system. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee; you pay nothing unless you win your case. If you cannot get in contact with us by phone, fill out a case form and we will reach out to you.