Common Causes of Aviation Accidents and Injuries

Air travel is widely regarded as one of the safest modes of transportation, yet accidents and injuries still occur. While catastrophic aviation disasters are rare, many injuries are caused by less obvious hazards such as falling baggage from overhead compartments, spilled hot beverages, or being struck by a service cart.

Accidents resulting from these issues may inflict minor or serious injuries, affecting passengers physically, emotionally, and financially.

Airlines owe their passengers duty of care to provide a safe flying experience, and failure to uphold this duty—such as failing to secure overhead bins, improper handling of hazardous substances, or poor maintenance—can be grounds for legal action.

Whether travelling domestically or internationally, passengers typically have legal recourse if they are hurt because an airline failed to provide a safe flying environment. This article outlines common types of aviation injuries, the causes behind them, and how passengers in Alberta can seek compensation when harmed during air travel.

Injuries That Commonly Happen on Airplanes

The most obvious example of an aviation accident likely to cause injury or death is a plane crash. However, there are many ways to potentially get hurt on a commercial flight. Some other examples of accidents that may be compensable include (but are not limited to):

• Falling luggage
• Being struck by a service cart
• Flight attendants spilling a hot beverage
• Tripping on the ledge when exiting or entering the plane
• A slip and fall or trip and fall while using an aircraft’s washroom
• Falling on the stairs attached to the plane

Common injuries include burns, head wounds (such as a concussion), broken bones, and sprains.

Legal Options for Injured Passengers in Alberta

For claims involving domestic Canadian flights, it is necessary to prove that the airline or its employee(s) were negligent.

The Montreal Convention applies to injuries suffered on international flights between countries that have ratified the agreement (more than 130 countries are signatories). Under the convention, airlines are “strictly liable” for bodily injury on such flights, up to 151,880 in special drawing rights (SDR).

SDR is a type of hypothetical currency. Its value is based on several common world currencies and changes daily. As of April 4, 2025, 151,880 in SDR converted to around $290,000 CAD.

If you are injured on an international flight due to an accident while on the aircraft or in the process of boarding or exiting the aircraft, the airline may be strictly liable for damages up to $290,000 CAD. This does not mean that you are automatically entitled to this amount. Rather, if you can prove you have sustained damages up to this amount, the airline must pay it, even if you cannot prove the airline was negligent. In order to claim more than this amount, an injured person must prove airline negligence.

We encourage you to speak with one of our Calgary aviation injury lawyers to see if your injuries are grounds for a claim.

In instances where a mechanical or equipment failure led to injury on a flight, it may be appropriate to hold defendants other than an airline partly or fully accountable. These additional defendants could be equipment manufacturers or businesses contracted by the airline to service aircraft.

As with most civil claims, aviation accidents are subject to a 2-year statute of limitations, meaning you must file a claim within 2 years of your injury or you may forfeit your right to seek compensation.

Discuss Your Airplane Accident With Our Legal Team

Air travel is generally safe. Still, aviation injuries remain a real risk for passengers. Understanding the protections offered for international flights by the Montreal Convention and Canadian negligence laws for domestic travel helps injured passengers make informed decisions about their next steps.

Given the complexity of aviation injury claims, you may wish to consult our personal injury lawyer to better understand what compensation could be available to you and the evidence you will need to submit a claim.

Our Calgary aviation accident lawyers offer free initial consultations where you can tell us about your situation. We represent all clients under contingency-fee retainer agreements, so all of our legal services and advice are provided at no upfront cost to you. You only pay, if we win.

Please call us 24/7 at our toll-free line, 1-888-494-7191, to set up an appointment or visit us at our office in downtown Calgary. If you want to explore your legal options, our staff is always ready to take your call.