Injuries from Boarding and Deplaning Accidents

When the Most Routine Part of Flying Turns Dangerous

You don’t expect to get hurt before your flight even takes off or right after you land. Yet countless passengers suffer serious injuries while boarding or deplaning because airlines and airports cut corners on safety. Slippery jet bridges, uneven stairs, missing assistance, and rushed ground crews can all turn a normal transition into a painful accident.

Our personal injury attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, help injured passengers across New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine recover what careless airlines and contractors cost them. You trusted them with your safety. They owed you working equipment, trained staff, and time to move safely.

When that trust breaks, we rebuild your sense of stability and make sure you’re compensated for what happened. No one should get injured just trying to get on or off a plane. But when it happens, you deserve a law firm that knows how to prove where things went wrong and why you shouldn’t have to pay for it.

How Boarding and Deplaning Accidents Actually Happen

Most passengers don’t realize how many moving parts are involved in boarding and unloading a plane. 

When coordination breaks down, someone always gets hurt. Jet bridges, portable stairs, tarmac shuttles, and cabin crew all have strict safety procedures—procedures that often get ignored to save time.

We’ve seen passengers fall because of unsteady ramps, slip on wet metal stairs, or get struck by baggage carts when walking across the tarmac. Others trip on torn carpeting or unsecured cables inside the jetway. Every one of those injuries was preventable with a little patience and proper oversight.

These aren’t “accidents.” They’re symptoms of rushed operations, poor training, and companies that value efficiency more than safety.

Common Boarding and Deplaning Hazards We Investigate

Not all injuries look the same, but the causes often repeat. Here’s where the breakdown usually starts and what it means for your claim.

• Faulty or unstable jet bridges – Jet bridges must align smoothly with aircraft doors. When the gap is too wide or the surface dips, passengers can fall or get caught between the bridge and plane. Airlines and ground crews share responsibility for proper operation and inspection.
• Wet, icy, or cluttered stairs – Outdoor boarding stairs are hazards when not treated or cleared. A lack of non-slip surfaces, lighting, or handrails turns them into traps. Maintenance teams are supposed to keep them safe; skipping that step is negligence.
• Missing wheelchair or passenger assistance – Airlines are required under the Air Carrier Access Act to provide mobility support. When staff ignore those requests or leave passengers to struggle alone, injuries are both predictable and preventable.
• Rushed or chaotic deplaning – When crew push passengers to move quickly or open doors before equipment is secured, serious falls can occur. Pressure to stay “on time” never justifies unsafe conditions.

Each hazard leaves behind more than bruises. It leaves behind documentation, maintenance logs, and eyewitnesses. That’s where we start building your case.

Proving Who’s Responsible (Because It’s Rarely Just One Party)

In boarding and deplaning injury cases, there’s usually more than one person or company to blame. Airlines, airport operators, ground-handling contractors, and maintenance teams often share responsibility.

We trace liability back through every step: who owned the equipment, who maintained it, who supervised the gate, and who gave the green light to move passengers. Our team also pulls surveillance footage, work orders, and dispatch records to prove exactly where protocols failed.

By holding all responsible parties accountable, we maximize your recovery and make sure no one slips through the cracks, figuratively or literally.

What to Do Right After a Boarding or Deplaning Injury

You’re probably in pain, embarrassed, or unsure what just happened. That’s normal, but what you do next can shape your entire case.

• Report it immediately – Tell the gate agent, flight attendant, or airport security what happened. Make sure they file an incident report and give you a copy.
• Take photos and videos – Capture the scene before crews clean it up. That includes steps, floors, railings, and anything that looks broken or wet.
• Get medical care right away – Even if you feel “okay,” injuries like fractures and soft tissue damage often worsen later. Your medical record becomes proof of harm.
• Avoid talking to airline adjusters – They’re trained to minimize your claim. Let your attorney handle communications from day one.
• Call an experienced lawyer – Aviation premises cases are complex, and deadlines vary. Getting representation quickly protects your right to compensation.

You don’t need to have all the answers yet. You just need to protect your footing legally while we handle the rest.

Damages You Can Recover After a Boarding or Deplaning Accident

Compensation is about the long-term effects these injuries have on your life. We calculate every part of your loss so you’re not left paying later.

• Medical treatment and rehabilitation – From emergency care to ongoing therapy, we make sure every stage of your recovery is covered. Long-term pain management and adaptive equipment count, too.
• Lost wages and reduced earning ability – If you missed work or can’t return to your job, those financial losses belong in your claim. We use economists to show exactly what your career setbacks cost.
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress – Falls and impact injuries take more than a physical toll. Anxiety, embarrassment, and chronic pain deserve recognition and compensation.
• Wrongful death damages – In tragic cases, surviving families can seek recovery under Estates, Powers, and Trusts Law Article 5-4.1 in New York and comparable laws in other states we serve.
• Future expenses – Ongoing care, mobility aids, or home modifications should never come out of your pocket. We factor in the future, not just today’s bills.

The goal is full recovery, not partial relief.

How Horn Wright, LLP, Handles Boarding and Deplaning Injury Cases

These cases move fast, and airlines start investigating before passengers even get home. That’s why we move faster. From your first call, we send preservation letters to secure surveillance footage, gate inspection logs, and communication records between crew and ground staff.

We bring in aviation safety experts who understand gate procedures and mechanical systems. Then we match that with your medical documentation and eyewitness accounts. The result? A clear, evidence-backed claim that leaves no room for excuses.

You’ll always know where your case stands and what’s next. Our legal team doesn’t hide behind jargon. We explain your rights in real terms, without sugarcoating or delay.

Why Quick Action Makes All the Difference

Time works against passengers in these cases. 

Airlines and airports own the evidence—security footage, maintenance logs, and gate reports—and they often “cycle out” those records in weeks. If you wait too long, key proof disappears.

We take immediate steps to freeze that evidence before it’s lost. Acting fast doesn’t just preserve your claim. It strengthens it. Every photo, report, and witness statement builds leverage when negotiating with airline insurers or preparing for trial.

Your claim’s strength depends on timing. The sooner you call, the stronger your position becomes.

Bringing It All Back to What Matters

Boarding and deplaning should be the safest moments of any flight. When negligence turns those minutes into an emergency, you deserve accountability and compensation that helps you get your life back.

Our team digs in where airlines and airports hope you’ll give up. We uncover the truth, demand real recovery, and make sure your voice is heard.

Reach out online today. We’ll start by protecting the evidence and end by protecting your future. Because walking to or from a plane should never be the hardest part of flying.