Houston Airports operates several locations in and near Houston. These include George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The airport is located about 22 miles north of downtown Houston. From 1969 to 1997, it was called Houston International Airport.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport covers 10,000 acres of land, featuring five runways. It’s one of United Airlines’ largest passenger hubs. The airport has direct access to the Hardy Toll Road expressway. Runway expansions and terminal additions in the early 2000s helped the airport grow. Today, the airport serves flights from around the world.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport is a vibrant transportation site. With so much going on, the risk for injury is always present. Visitors, travelers, and airport workers may suffer injuries.

If you’ve been injured at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, don’t wait. Talk to an experienced Houston airport injury lawyer today. The team at Gustin Law can help.

Common Injuries at George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Airports are busy places. Airplanes and their associated equipment are in near-constant motion. People pour through the building, visiting dozens of businesses and services. Custodial staff, security, and other workers hustle throughout their workday.

So much activity increases the risk of an injury.  Common injury risks at airports include:

• Traffic collisions. Traffic is often busy in drop-off and pickup areas. Parking lots are often congested. Drivers can be confused or distracted, especially if they’re new to the airport. Pedestrians add to the confusion as they unload luggage. Keeping track of family members or friends can be challenging. Signs and entrances can confuse pedestrians as well. Workers may be rushing, distracted, or unprepared for a driver or pedestrian to make a mistake. All these conditions can cause or worsen a traffic crash.
• Slips, trips, and falls. Many Houston businesses face slip and fall risks. Airports are no different. Tracked-in water and mud from bad weather can make floors slippery. Spills and debris can cause a slip or trip. Luggage in walkways and other hazards can also result in a fall. Falls are a major cause of workplace and business visitor injuries each year. They are a leading cause of death and hospitalization for elderly Americans.
• Sprains, strains, and other injuries. Both visitors and workers can experience muscle strains, sprains, and similar injuries. For example, an inury can occur while lifing heavy baggage. Entering and exiting elevators and escalators, especially with luggage, can be risky. Many airline employees face repetitive strain injury risks from handling baggage and equipment. Visitors may be injured while handling baggage or trying to navigate through crowds. Injuries are more likely if those around you aren’t using reasonable care to prevent harm.
• Hidden defects. Airplanes are complex pieces of machinery. A hidden defect in any part of the plane can result in injuries. Hidden defects can also cause harm in the terminal. A broken seat in a waiting room, a defect in a restroom fixture, and other hidden risks can cause injury. Often, the injured person doesn’t know there’s a problem until it’s too late to avoid harm.

Other serious injuries can occur at airports or in air travel as well. Airlines, airport staff, travelers, and visitors all share a duty to use reasonable care to prevent injuries. When someone fails at this job, someone else can be injured, through no fault of their own. This is when it’s time to talk to a dedicated Houston airport injury attorney.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport Workers: Types of Injuries Airport Staff Can Face During a Workshift

Travelers and visitors aren’t the only ones who may suffer harm at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Airport workers can also be injured on the job. Common injuries and injury risks to airport workers include:

• Musculoskeletal and repetitive stress injuries. Back strains and sprains, herniated discs, and similar injuries can harm workers. In one study, baggage handlers reported higher rates of lower back pain than other airport workers. The more years a baggage handler worked, the more likely they were to report injuries. Baggage handlers also frequently reported shoulder and arm pain related to their job.
• Traffic crashes. Airline ground crews can be hurt in traffic crashes among airplanes and other vehicles on the ground. In parking lots, driveways, and roadways, workers can be hit by cars. Passenger loading zones can be especially dangerous for airline workers. While workers are familiar with the risks in these zones, many visiting drivers and pedestrians are not.
• Exposure to dangerous substances or temperatures. Houston’s high summer temperatures put outdoor and hangar workers at risk for heat-related injuries. Exposure to fuel fumes can cause harm. Indoors, custodial staff and food workers face risks as well. Walk-in freezers and hot kitchesn create extreme temperatures. Cleaning chemicals can cause harm if inhaled or touched.
• Passenger and visitor behavior. Air travel can frustrate passengers and visitors. When passengers take out their aggression on others, staf can suffer harm. Staff who work directly with customers face risks from passenger and visitor behavior. These staff include ticket desk clerks, TSA staff, flight crews, and food service workers.

Airport workers learn to stay alert on the job. Yet they cannot always avoid injury. Negligence from other people or companies can trigger a preventable accident. Whether it’s a hidden defect in a tool or an aggressive customer, an airport worker can pay the price.

No matter your job, you face a risk of injury at work. A knowledgeable Houston airport worker injury lawyer can help.

I Was Injured While Visiting the Airport. What is My Case Worth?

Personal injury cases compensate an injured person for losses from the injury. Each injury is unique, and so is the precise value of each case.

The total value of each case is specific to that case. Yet many airport injury cases involve similar losses. Common losses covered by these cases include:

• Medical bills for both current injuries and future needs,
• Lost wages and lost earning capacity, if your injuries prevent you from working in the future,
• Property damage or loss,
• Physical pain and suffering,
• Mental and emotional injuries.

Your injury is unique. Its effect on your life is also specific to you. Talk to an experienced Houston airport injury lawyer. An attorney can help you determine exactly what your case is worth – and fight for the full, fair compensation you deserve.

I Was Injured While Working at the Airport. What Are My Options?

Workers’ compensation assists injured employees. These benefits apply to both work-related injuries and occupational illnesses.

What is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance. Its goal is to cover the costs of a work-related injury or illness. Injuries may result from a sudden accident or build up over time due to repetitive stress. Both types are covered by workers’ compensation, as long as they are job-related.

Workers’ compensation covers medical bills. It also pays part of your lost wages in some instances. Long-term benefits assist those who suffer permanent injuries or disaiblity.

Like personal injury claims, workers’ comp claims are unique. Your injury and its effect on your work is specific to you. Talk to an attorney who knows Texas workers’ compensation. A lawyer can answer your questions and help you get the benefits you need.

Who Can File for Workers’ Compensation Coverage?

Workers’ compensation covers employees but not independent contractors. Some companies wrongly classify employees as contractors to avoid paying for workers’ compensation.

The law provides guidelines for classifying workers, but there are few bright-line rules. A lawyer can help you figure out if you were misclassified. If your employer says you’re actually a contractor or tries to deny you workers’ compensation, talk to an attorney today.

Workers’ compensation pays for medical care and certain other losses. In exchange, an injured worker gives up the right to sue their employer. However, you keep your right to sue any other party responsible for your injuries. For instance, you can file a lawsuit if a customer attacked you or a defective tool injured you.

If you think you have a claim against another person or company, talk to an attorney. A lawyer can help you bring this claim without undermining your workers’ compensation benefits.

What to Do If You’re Injured At Work

First, tell your employer. In an emergency, call 911 or have your employer or a co-worker make the call. In a non-emergency, tell your employer as soon as possible. Ask for a list of doctors covered by their workers’ compensation insurance. See one of these doctors as soon as possible.

Keep all paperwork related to your workers’ compensation claim. Talk to an attorney if your employer or the insurance company try to delay or deny your case.

What to Do If You’re Injured at George Bush Intercontinental Airport

If you’re injured at an airport or on an airplane, protect yourself. Here’s what to do if you’re an employee, visitor, or traveler.

In an accident, think safety first. Move to a safe area if possible. Avoid moving anyone who is unconscious or seriously injured. Call 911, contact airport safety services, or have someone else do so. George Bush Intercontinental Airport offers several information booths that can assist.

In an emergency, you may receive emergency medical care. If you don’t, see a doctor as soon as possible. An urgent care clinic or your family doctor are both an acceptable choices.

If you’re an injured employee, ask your employer for a list of doctors covered by their workers’ compensation insurance. See one of these doctors as soon as you can.

Finally, reach out to a dedicated Houston injury lawyer. The team at Gustin Law has experience handling both personal injury and workers’ compensation claims. We’re familiar with the risks specific to George Bush Intercontinental Airport. To learn more, reach out to our office today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.