Chicago’s airports, O’Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW), are among the busiest in the world. They are also legally complex environments where a single aviation injury can involve federal aviation treaties, municipal immunity laws, and dozens of private contractors.
If you were injured at a Chicago airport, determining who to sue is the first step. Was it the airline? The City of Chicago? A third-party cleaning crew? At Blumenshine Law Group, we specialize in untangling this web of liability to secure maximum compensation for travelers and airport workers.
⚠️ URGENT WARNING: The “1-Year” Time Limit
Do not wait to hire an attorney. Because O’Hare and Midway are owned by the City of Chicago, many injury claims are subject to a strict One-Year Statute of Limitations (and sometimes shorter notice requirements). If you miss this deadline, you may be permanently barred from suing the city, even if you have a valid case.
Common Airport Accidents We Handle
1. Shuttle Bus & Electric Cart Accidents
Terminal interiors are crowded with “beep-beep” electric carts, and the outdoor shuttle centers are chaotic with bus traffic. These vehicles are often operated by private contractors, such as Prospect Airport Services, rather than the airlines. If you were struck by a cart or injured on a shuttle bus, you likely have a negligence claim.
» Liability for Shuttle & Cart Accidents
2. Slip & Fall (Unsafe Maintenance)
Slip-and-fall injuries at O’Hare and Midway can occur due to spills, wet restroom floors, loose mats, or other unsafe maintenance conditions. Liability may depend on whether the area was controlled by the City, the Chicago Department of Aviation, or a private contractor.
» O’Hare Slip & Fall Liability
3. Jet Bridge & Ramp Injuries
The jet bridge is a legal “no man’s land” between the airport terminal and the airplane. Accidents here, such as sudden mechanical drops, auto-leveler failures, or slips on frozen walkways, often involve complex disputes between the Airline and the City of Chicago.
» Jet Bridge Drops & Ramp Negligence
4. Falling Luggage & Overhead Bin Injuries
If a heavy bag falls from an overhead bin and strikes you, the airline may be liable. Crucially, if you were on an international itinerary, the Montreal Convention may make the airline strictly liable for your injuries, meaning you don’t even have to prove they were negligent.
» Falling Luggage & The Montreal Convention
5. Airport Worker Injuries (Third-Party Claims)
For baggage handlers, ramp agents, and TSA staff, Workers’ Compensation is often just the beginning. If you were injured by a contractor from a different company (e.g., a United worker hit by a catering truck), you may be able to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit to recover damages for pain and suffering.
» Third-Party Claims for Airport Workers
Who Is Liable for an Airport Injury?
In Chicago, airport injury cases rarely involve just one defendant. We frequently litigate against:
- The City of Chicago (Department of Aviation): For structural defects, lighting failures, or unsafe terminal design.
- Airlines (United, American, Southwest): For injuries occurring on the aircraft or during the boarding process.
- Maintenance Contractors (Scrub, Inc., United Maintenance): For slips and falls caused by unmopped spills or tracked-in snow.
- Ground Services (Swissport, Menzies): For tarmac vehicle collisions and ramp accidents.
Contact Our Chicago Aviation Injury Attorneys
Don’t let an insurance adjuster tell you that your airport injury was “just an accident.” Whether you are a local commuter or an international traveler injured in our city, Blumenshine Law Group has the experience to hold the right parties accountable.
Call us at (312) 766-1000 for a free consultation. We are available 24/7 to protect your rights.
About the Author: Scott Blumenshine
Scott Blumenshine is the Managing Partner at Blumenshine Law Group and has practiced personal injury law in Chicago for over 37 years. He has extensive experience litigating against major transportation entities, including the CTA, commercial airlines, and municipal transit authorities. His deep understanding of federal aviation treaties and local municipal immunity laws ensures that airport injury victims receive the representation they need.