Common workplace injuries for flight attendants

Since Frontier Airlines is headquartered in Denver, it should not be a surprise that Colorado employs over 3,200 flight attendants. Most flight attendants work in the scheduled air transportation industry.

Training is on-the-job and attendants learn to respond to emergencies and ensure passenger safety and comfort while aboard the plane. However, flight attendants are much more than simply in-flight waitresses, they are responsible for the safety of hundreds of passengers on any given flight. Along with this high level of responsibility, they have a high risk of workplace injury.

Hazards of the air travel industry

While the life of a flight attendant may seem glamorous and filled with exciting travel, flight attendants face a variety of stressful and potentially hazardous situations while working. Common workplace injuries and illnesses faced by flight attendants include:

• Back and spinal injuries: These types of injuries are generally caused by lifting passenger baggage and reaching into overhead compartments.
• Head, neck and shoulder injuries: Often the result of turbulence or a rough landing.
• Wrist, back and neck injuries: These injuries can result from lifting baggage, repetitive motions and pushing heavy meal carts.
• Slip and fall injuries: Workplace falls often occur while walking through the airport during layovers.
• Assault: Assault by passengers has become a growing concern as travelers are frequently tense or anxious, leading to increasingly violent reactions.
• Sick airplane syndrome: This syndrome is caused by prolonged exposure to poor air quality in airplane cabins.
• Fatigue and sleep deprivation: Variable schedules and long hours can contribute to fatigue and an out of sync circadian rhythm. Fatigue can also lead to slower recovery times for injuries and illnesses.

Seeking just compensation

Flight attendants injured while working may be eligible for workers’ compensation. Workplace injuries can be debilitating, requiring a leave from the workplace and physical therapy to repair muscle damage. The time away from work results in lost wages and increased medical expenses. Working with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can aid in a speedy financial recovery and better results.