If you suffered an injury while stepping off an international flight—whether on the air stairs, the jet bridge, or even a shuttle—you need to know about the crucial legal precedent set by the Moore v. British Airways case.
This decision didn’t just win a lawsuit; it changed the definition of an airline “accident” under the Montreal Convention, making it significantly easier for injured passengers like you to hold powerful international carriers accountable. If you were injured while embarking or disembarking an international flight, the core legal question is simple: was it an “accident”? That’s where I come in.
The Landmark Shift: A Win for the “Reasonable Passenger”
For decades, airlines used the vagueness of the Montreal Convention to argue that if their equipment was working as intended or as is normal for the industry, your injury wasn’t an “accident.” The Moore case tore down that defense.
The facts were straightforward: A passenger, Ms. Moore, fell while stepping from the last step of a mobile staircase onto the tarmac because the drop was unexpectedly larger than the previous steps. The airline argued the stairs were clean, defect-free, and operating normally.
The Appeals Court’s key ruling was transformative:
* It’s Not Just About “Unusual”: The law requires an event to be “unexpected or unusual.” The court emphasized that even if the stairs were “not unusual” in the industry, the specific, sudden height change of that final step was absolutely “unexpected” to a reasonable passenger.
* The Passenger’s Perspective Wins: The court established that the definition of “unexpected” must be judged from the objective perspective of a reasonable passenger with ordinary air travel experience, not solely from the airline’s internal manuals.
This is a massive shift. It means the airline can no longer hide behind technical compliance if a step in their process (like an uneven step, a misplaced mat, or an unannounced delay) creates a hazard that an ordinary traveler wouldn’t anticipate.
Why You Need a Lawyer Who Knows the Moore Rule
Most general personal injury attorneys, or even those without specific aviation law experience, may miss the critical nuances that Moore allows us to leverage.
Hiring me means you hire an advocate who is prepared to apply this specific precedent to your case:
Don’t Let the Airline Dismiss Your Injury
If you were hurt while getting on or off an international flight, the time to act is now. The two-year statute of limitations under the Montreal Convention is strict.
I am prepared to utilize the Moore v. British Airways precedent to aggressively fight your case, focusing on the unexpected element that caused your injury.
Stop worrying about whether your claim qualifies as an “accident.” Let me conduct a full review and determine exactly how to apply this key ruling to secure the compensation you deserve.
Call, email, or text my office today for your free, personalized case assessment.