Airport workers often deal with tough weather conditions, unruly passengers, long hours, and a surprising number of risks at their jobs. When injuries strike, you might be left unable to return to work for a prolonged period, and your medical bills could be difficult to afford. This is where Workers’ Compensation comes in.
Our attorneys can help many injured Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) workers seek compensation for their injuries. Workers’ Compensation pays for replacement wages while you are unable to work, plus the cost of the medical care needed to treat your injury and get you back to work. Filing a claim is a confusing process, but our attorneys can guide you every step of the way.
Call Cardamone Law at (267) 651-7945 for a free case review with our Certified Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Lawyers.
Are Airport Workers Covered Under Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation?
When it comes to workers on the ground in an airport, many of them are covered under Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation system. Our laws require every employer – such as Philadelphia International Airport itself – to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance to cover potential injuries to its employees. This means that, to the extent that your employer is covered under this statute, they must have Workers’ Comp insurance to cover you.
This would usually apply to baggage handlers, maintenance staff, customer service reps, food service workers, local security, and many other roles. However, it might not apply to certain workers whose employers are a federal government agency. When you are eligible, our Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation lawyers can help you file your claim under Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Comp rules.
Workers’ Comp for Federal Workers for TSA and Air Traffic Control
Often, TSA workers and air traffic controllers are actually employed by federal agencies, and their Workers’ Compensation is covered under a different system than the one the Pennsylvania Workers’ Comp Act uses. More specifically, the Transportation Security Administration itself is a federal agency, and Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) and air marshals are federal employees. Similarly, most air traffic controllers are employed directly by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is also a federal agency.
This is also true for Customs agents employed by Customs and Border Protection (CPB).
Determining Which Employer Covers Your Workers’ Compensation at PHL
If you work at PHL, you will usually file any work injury claims with your employer’s Workers’ Comp carrier. However, determining who exactly your employer is can be a bit confusing when an airport’s services are provided by a number of different companies with overlapping responsibilities. Many workers know who their direct employer is, but some might be surprised to find out which specific company within the airport they actually work for.
Airport vs. Airline Workers
Most airport workers will be covered by the airport itself when it comes to Workers’ Comp claims. This would cover baggage handlers, customer service reps, and other airport workers. However, other employees work directly for the airline and would use them as their employer.
Workers for Other Companies
When it comes to restaurants and other sales kiosks inside the airport, your employer might be that company whose name is on the kiosk/store/booth. However, it is possible that that brand simply contracts with the airport, in which case your employer might be the airport.
Security and Police
Airports have a lot of security, from private security teams to TSA to local police and air marshals. Usually, private security employees work directly for the airport or for a third-party security company contracted by the airport. Local police are usually not employed by the airport directly but may work as airport security in their off-duty capacity as private security. These direct employees usually bring claims against the airport itself, while on-duty police, TSA agents, air marshals, Customs agents, and other officials would file injury claims with their separate employers, potentially under the federal Workers’ Comp system instead of our system.
Third-Party Contractors
Another important consideration is that many workers perform their jobs directly for a third-party company that the airport contracts with. For example, fuelers and technicians might work for a company that the airport pays to take care of those services, in which case your employment status might play a role in your coverage.
If you are an independent contractor, you might not be covered by Workers’ Comp at all. However, if you are an employee of a third-party contractor, then you should have Workers’ Compensation through that employer. If your employer is considered a “subcontractor” who handles part of the airport’s daily business, as per the terms of §302 of the Workers’ Comp Act, and they failed to carry Workers’ Comp insurance to cover you, you may be entitled to file a claim against the airport’s Workers’ Comp as your so-called “statutory employer.”
Qualifying Workers’ Comp Injuries for Airport Workers in Philadelphia
Regardless of which covered position you work in, you should be able to claim compensation through Workers’ Comp for a wide range of work injuries and accidents. Airports have a lot of potential dangers, and the following jobs and accidents are some of the most common you might file a claim for:
Baggage Handling Injuries
Luggage is lighter and smaller than ever today due to baggage restrictions, but baggage handlers are still at risk of serious injuries while performing their jobs. Lifting, carrying, and tossing luggage can put a strain on the back, potentially causing a “slipped” or herniated disc. You could also get snagged or cut on broken zippers or even break a finger if it was awkwardly looped through a handle.
Vehicle Accidents
Some workers have to get around airports or drive vehicles on the grounds as part of their job. Accidents with fuel trucks, baggage trucks, and other vehicles in and around an airport could cause serious injuries that leave you out of work for some time.
Assault by Passengers
Everyone has seen videos of unruly passengers making a problem for airport and airline employees. Often, people become the worst version of themselves when flying, and assault by passengers is becoming a common cause of injury for airport and airline workers. If you were assaulted by a passenger, you can often get compensation for your medical care and lost wages through your employer’s Workers’ Comp, even though the accident would not have been your employer’s fault.
Call Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers for Airport Workers at PHL Today
If you were hurt while working in an airport in Philadelphia, call our Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation lawyers today at Cardamone Law at (267) 651-7945.
