Yes. The Montreal Convention 1999 governs injury claims for most international flights. It provides strict liability for certain injuries up to approximately 128,821 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs). This is an international currency unit used by the International Monetary Fund, which is roughly AUD 250,000. This means the airline is automatically responsible for injuries up to that amount.

For damages above this threshold, you can still claim additional compensation if you can prove airline negligence. The Convention also determines which country’s courts can hear your claim. Because international claims involve complex rules and liability limits, it’s important to work with an experienced aviation injury lawyer.

For international flights covered by the Montreal Convention, claims must generally be filed within two years from the date of arrival, or the scheduled arrival date if the flight was delayed. Domestic flight claims usually follow standard limitation periods (often three years), but exact deadlines can vary depending on the circumstances.

Learn more: Public liability claims guide

Airlines cannot automatically avoid liability by citing turbulence. If the airline failed to warn passengers of expected turbulence, neglected to illuminate seatbelt signs, or allowed service to continue despite unsafe conditions, they may still be responsible for your injuries.

Claims for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) from long-haul flights can be complex. Courts have sometimes ruled that developing DVT alone—without an unusual or unexpected event—may not qualify as an aviation accident, meaning airlines may not automatically be responsible.

To succeed, factors such as whether the airline provided proper warnings, the flight conditions, and any personal risk factors are important. An experienced aviation injury lawyer can review your situation and advise if a claim is possible.

Depending on the circumstances, several parties may be responsible for injuries in an aviation accident, including:

• The airline or flight operator: For negligence in operating the aircraft or managing crew safety.
• Aircraft or component manufacturers: If defective parts contributed to the accident.
• Maintenance and repair companies: For errors in aircraft servicing or inspections.
• Airport operators or ground service providers: For unsafe conditions on the tarmac, equipment failures, or hazards in terminals.
• Other parties: In some cases, air traffic control or other entities may be liable if their actions contributed to the incident.

Yes. Injuries at the airport may involve different responsible parties, typically the airport operator rather than the airline. If negligence caused your injury, you may still have a valid claim.