The dangers of British airports

Injuries can occur anywhere on vacation, even at the airport

Travel Insurance News - 01/05/2008

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Traveling can be dangerous and accidents can occur even before passengers get to their plane, as a recent series of incidents at Gatwick Airport have illustrated. Passengers should always be prepared for the worst and take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy which will cover them in any event.

A 34-year old air hostess was on her way to work in the Gatwick terminal building when her lift broke down. The lift stopped two feet below floor level and the accident resulted in the Oxfordshire resident tearing several ligaments which prevented her from working for four weeks.

The hostess, Lisa Carver, sued BAA, who owns the airport, for £20,000. The Airport Authority admitted liability and offered to settle for £4,520. The offer was rejected and the case went to court. Last year, a court in Central London awarded Ms. Carver £4,686 but made no provision for compensation for legal bills, leaving her with £80,000 in fees. Her appeal was recently rejected by two judges.

Only last week, a man using Gatwick’s South Terminal broke his leg and fractured his spine.

The man is believed to be in his thirties and was found on the floor of the airport’s upper forecourt around 17:00 on Friday. Emergency crews rushed to the scene and ambulances took the man to East Surrey Hospital in Redhill. It is believed that medical crews treated him there for life threatening injuries.

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