Reviewed by Laurence P. Banville, Esq.Frequently asked questions
What are the most common injuries suffered by airport ramp agents in New York?
Ramp agents regularly sustain crush injuries from ground support equipment, back and shoulder injuries from loading heavy baggage, strikes from moving aircraft or tugs, and jet blast injuries on the tarmac. Slip-and-fall accidents on wet or icy ramps are also frequent at New York airports during winter months. These injuries can be severe and permanently disabling.
Do I need to file a Notice of Claim if I was injured at JFK or LaGuardia Airport?
Yes. JFK and LaGuardia are owned and operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, a public agency. If your injury claim is against the Port Authority—for example, due to a dangerous condition on airport property—you must serve a written Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your lawsuit against the Port Authority.
Can a ramp agent sue their employer or a third party after an airport injury in New York?
In New York, workers’ compensation is typically the exclusive remedy against your direct employer, meaning you generally cannot sue them in civil court. However, if a third party—such as an airline, ground handling contractor, equipment manufacturer, or another company operating on the tarmac—caused or contributed to your injury, you may be able to bring a separate personal injury lawsuit against that party in addition to filing a workers’ comp claim.
What if I was injured at Newark Airport (EWR) in New Jersey?
Newark Liberty International Airport is also owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, but it is located in New Jersey. Claims arising from injuries at EWR may be subject to New Jersey law and New Jersey’s notice requirements for Port Authority claims. An attorney familiar with multi-state Port Authority litigation can determine which jurisdiction’s rules apply to your specific claim.