On March 31, 2014, a JetBlue flight leaving Jamaica toward Fort Lauderdale returned to Norman Manley International Airport following a report of smoke odor aboard the plane. The JetBlue flight 876 had been bound for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and, within 15 minutes of taking off, returned to Kingston, Jamaica with its 98 passengers. While it landed safely on its return, the flight did cause additional delays in the airport.
If you have been injured in an accident involving airplane malfunctions, contact Attorney Group for Florida today to learn more about your legal rights and pursuing a claim for compensation. You may be entitled to work with an attorney in Florida and recover damages for your injuries.
Florida Airplane Grounded Due to Airplane Malfunctions
According to the director at the Jamaican airport, the pilot detected smoke in the cockpit and made the decision to return to the airport rather than attempt the flight with one or more airplane malfunctions. Shortly following the news of the grounding, JetBlue issued a report that six people aboard the flight had been transported to nearby medical facilities in Jamaica to be evaluated for injuries caused by smoke inhalation.
Five of the passengers were treated and subsequently released from Kingston Public Hospital, while one remained overnight for further evaluation. The most seriously injured passenger sustained a broken ankle when disembarking from the aircraft. JetBlue declined further comment about its passengers’ medical treatments, citing a respect for privacy. The company arranged an extra flight the following day to transport the affected passengers back to the U.S.
As of April 4, 2014, the jet is still under inspection by maintenance staff and officials from Jamaica’s fire brigade to determine the cause of the odor and to investigate other potential airplane malfunctions that could pose a danger. Airline officials assert that the company is working with passengers to ensure that their customers’ needs are met. Updates will be released when the airline receives additional information.
Although airplane accidents are less common than vehicular accidents, they do occur and can be even more devastating, depending on the nature of the incident. What may be a small, quick trip to another city or nearby state could turn into a fatal accident in the blink of an eye. For this reason, it is important to seek legal counsel from an attorney that can help you understand your rights. In many cases, more than one party may be held responsible for compensation such as passengers or employees on the plane, the manufacturer of the aircraft’s parts, the owner of the plane or the individual or company responsible for maintaining the plane.
Injured? Attorney Group for Florida Can Help
If you or someone you love has been injured due to airplane malfunctions or the negligence of someone involved with the aircraft, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your condition. Contact Attorney Group for Florida today to learn more about your legal rights and to be connected with an affiliated Florida airplane accident attorney.
