Syracuse, New York: Injured By A Falling Suitcase On An Airplane

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Recognized as a  Super Lawyer and American Institute of Trial Lawyers Litigator of the Year, is Committed to Defending the Rights of Syracuse Families. If You or a Loved One Has Sustained Serious Physical Injuries Caused By a Falling Suitcase, Luggage, or Baggage on an Airplane, You Deserve Aggressive Representation and an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Willing to Fight for Your Rights.

Syracuse Hancock International Airport recently recorded the busiest year in its 75-year-long history. Although Syracuse’s airport does not experience the same intensity of traffic as LaGuardia or JFK, it still receives millions of passengers each year. In 2025, for instance, airport authorities announced an unprecedented 3,004,747 travelers, an increase of more than 5% over the years past.

Traveling is not always easy, and it is rarely ever stress-free. Airlines love to advertise that flying to your destination is often the safest way to reach it, but the industry sometimes overlooks the lesser-known risks of air travel. You might have an astronomically small chance of being involved in a crash, but dangers as mundane as unsecured luggage can pose a serious threat to travelers’ safety and well-being.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a falling bag aboard a flight, you could have more options than you expect. Under state law, people who have been seriously injured in an accident that was not their fault are typically entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit against the party responsible, regardless of whether the accident occurred on the ground or in the air. Furthermore, international treaties like the Montreal Convention provide a convenient and sometimes litigation-free alternative for compensation by holding airlines strictly liable for most injuries that occur in the course of routine service.

Since our founding in 2005, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has helped our clients in Syracuse and throughout Upstate New York assert their rights to effective, aggressive legal representation. We know what it takes to build a strong case for compensation, and we have the results to prove it.

If you think you could have a case against the airline that caused your accident, call Jed Dietrich, Esq., today at 1-866-529-5334 to speak to an aviation injury lawyer near Syracuse and find out how much your lawsuit could be worth.

Under most circumstances, the person or party who caused your accident is liable for the damages you sustain as a result. Any of the following persons or entities could be named as a defendant in a luggage-related injury claim:

1. The airline;
2. An airline contractor;
3. The airport;
4. Another passenger.

In some cases, you may be entitled to file a claim against more than one defendant.

Naming more than one defendant could improve your chances of making a successful recovery, but it is not always the best strategy. You may know for a fact that another passenger’s mistake contributed to your injury, but obtaining sufficient evidence to prove negligence could pose an obstacle in the absence of reliable eyewitness testimony or video footage.

Your personal injury attorney will help you identify the correct defendants for your claim and ensure that the lawsuit you file provides a realistic path to negotiating a settlement or securing a court-ordered award.

If you were injured aboard a domestic flight with no international leg or connection, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault airline. However, filing a personal injury lawsuit is often much easier than winning one. To obtain compensation, you must typically establish all of the following:

1. The airline owed you a duty of care;
2. The airline breached its duty of care through an act or acts of negligence;
3. The airline’s negligence was the direct cause of your accident;
4. Your accident resulted in physical injuries;
5. You sustained verifiable damages.

In an aviation lawsuit, establishing any one or more of these elements could prove surprisingly difficult. If, for example, a flight attendant failed to secure an overhead compartment prior to take-off or landing, it could be your word against theirs. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. could help you fill in the gaps by conducting an intensive investigation. This might involve subpoenaing eyewitnesses, analyzing flight-specific safety checklists, or requisitioning physical evidence like a faulty luggage compartment.

You could have additional rights depending on your fare and destination.

In general, passengers on international flights are entitled to stronger protections than those on domestic flights. However, the definition of an “international flight” can be quite expansive. It could include:

1. A charter flight from Syracuse Hancock International Airport to another country;
2. A scheduled flight from an international destination that ends or connects in Syracuse;
3. A scheduled flight that departs from Syracuse and connects in another U.S. city for departure to a destination abroad.

Passengers on most international flights may be eligible to file a claim under the Montreal Convention. The Montreal Convention, among other things, holds airlines strictly liable for injuries caused by reasons external to the passenger. In other words, if you were injured by a dangerous condition outside of your control, like a falling piece of luggage, you could be entitled to submit a claim without any need for litigation.

Claims filed under the Montreal Convention are, however, subject to certain limitations.

Unlike a personal injury lawsuit, where awards and settlements are not typically capped, you can only receive up to about $175,000 through a Montreal Convention claim. Additionally, there is no guarantee that the airline will approve your claim or offer a fair award. If the airline puts up a fight, you may have to file a lawsuit to assert your rights.

You do not have to leave your rights in the hands of an airline that is more concerned with its profits than your well-being. Call Jed Dietrich, Esq., today at 1-866-529-5334 to speak to a falling luggage aviation accident lawyer and schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible. 

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 1-866-529-5334 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Syracuse, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!