Seattle Airport Ramp Injury Lawyers

We Represent the Seriously Injured in Airport Ramp Accidents

For over 30 years, Bishop Legal has helped ramp workers, airport employees, and passengers injured at Sea-Tac and airports across Washington. Our team has recovered tens of millions for victims of defective equipment, unsafe ramp conditions, and contractor negligence, including some of the most high-profile airport injury cases in state history. 

If you’ve been seriously injured on or near the ramp, we have the experience and results to fight for you.

Why Clients Choose Bishop Legal

• Decades of Experience in serious and catastrophic injury litigation
• Tens of Millions Recovered for clients injured at airports, job sites, and other high-risk environments
• Proven Record in Complex Cases involving public entities, large corporations, and third-party contractors
• Aggressive, Trial-Ready Representation that puts your best interests first
• Recognized by the Media for our work on airport and workplace injury cases
• Contingency Fees & Free Consultations – You don’t pay unless we win. Available 24/7. Se habla español.

We represent ramp agents, baggage handlers, fueling techs, and other airport personnel, as well as passengers injured during boarding or disembarking. If you have questions about a potential case, call (206) 260-3316 or contact us online.

A Proven Track Record in Airport Ramp and Workplace Injury Cases

At Bishop Legal, our results reflect our commitment to helping injured workers and families secure life-changing compensation. We’ve taken on some of the toughest injury cases in Washington, including high-profile ramp accidents at Sea-Tac, and won against major public agencies, contractors, and corporate defendants.

Some of our notable results include:

• $40,000,000 Jury Verdict – Sea-Tac Ramp Accident
  A ramp crew member was left triplegic after a baggage tug malfunctioned. We sued the Port of Seattle and, after years of litigation and a Washington Supreme Court ruling in our client’s favor, secured a landmark verdict.
• $11,000,000 Settlement – Airport Ramp Injury
  A Sea-Tac worker suffered a traumatic leg amputation in a collision involving airport vehicles. This was the largest known injury settlement ever recovered from the Port of Seattle.
• Additional Multi-Million Dollar Recoveries
  We’ve secured major results for victims of workplace negligence across Washington, including injured construction workers, industrial laborers, and immigrant workers harmed by unsafe job conditions.

See more of our case results.

What Clients Say About Bishop Legal

We’re proud to represent people whose lives have been turned upside down by serious injury. Here’s what some of our former clients have said about working with our team:

“They got a great positive outcome for me in the end.”

“The people here are great! They took care of everything for me and were always super helpful with any questions or concerns I had. I highly recommend them for your legal needs!” – Former Client

“My favorite thing about them was honestly the responsiveness. They are incredibly responsive.”

“We had originally signed up with a different law firm but after coming across Bishop Legal and studying their reviews, we made the jump over to them! We are so glad with the outcome! Their customer service was exceptional! I enjoyed working with you guys!” – Former Client

Read more client testimonials.

When Do You Have an Airport Ramp Injury Case?

Not every ramp injury qualifies for a personal injury claim but many do, especially when negligence or unsafe conditions are involved. Bishop Legal has the experience to handle cases involving:

• Defective or poorly maintained ground support vehicles like baggage tugs, belt loaders, and fuel trucks
• Collision injuries, including workers thrown from vehicles without working seatbelts or proper restraints
• Crushed limbs or amputations during loading/unloading due to poor training, supervision, or malfunctioning machinery
• Slip-and-fall or trip hazards on the ramp caused by oil spills, icy surfaces, or unsafe lighting
• Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or even fatalities caused by serious operational failures
• Passenger injuries that happen while boarding via mobile stairs or being transported across the tarmac

Even if you were told your injury falls under workers’ comp only, you may still have a claim against the airport authority, an airline, a contractor, or an equipment manufacturer. We thoroughly investigate each case to determine where accountability lies and how to maximize your compensation.

Who We Represent in Ramp Accident Cases

Our firm represents airport workers and injured passengers across Washington, including:

• Ramp agents, ground crew, and baggage handlers
• Fueling and aircraft maintenance staff involved in active runway or gate operations
• Cabin cleaners, catering personnel, and other vendors hurt due to unsafe conditions imposed by airport authorities or contractors
• Independent contractors working for airlines or third-party service companies
• Flight crew and commercial airline staff injured during loading or on-ramp transitions
• Passengers harmed while boarding, disembarking, or crossing active tarmac areas

These incidents frequently involve third-party negligence, especially when poorly maintained equipment, faulty training, or unsafe ramp practices are to blame.

Navigating Workers’ Compensation and Third-Party Injury Claims

Many airport ramp workers are told their only recourse after an injury is workers’ compensation. While workers’ comp provides important benefits, it does not offer full compensation for all losses, and it may not be your only option.

At Bishop Legal, we routinely investigate whether injured ramp workers can pursue a third-party personal injury claim in addition to receiving workers’ compensation. When another company, such as the airport authority, an airline, or a contractor, shares responsibility for the unsafe conditions that caused your injury, you may be eligible to recover significantly more through a separate civil lawsuit.

Workers’ compensation offers limited financial support. It typically includes:

• Medical care for your injury
• A portion of your lost wages
• Temporary or permanent disability benefits
• Vocational rehabilitation in some cases

However, workers’ comp does not cover everything. It does not compensate you for:

• Pain and suffering
• Full lost wages or diminished future earning ability
• Emotional distress and loss of quality of life
• Punitive damages against negligent parties
• Compensation for family members in wrongful death cases

When a Third-Party Injury Claim May Be Possible

If your injury was caused, even in part, by someone other than your direct employer, you may have grounds to file a third-party lawsuit for additional damages. These cases often arise when an outside company, government agency, or equipment manufacturer creates an unsafe work environment.

Examples of scenarios that may support a third-party claim include:

• Malfunctioning ground support vehicles (e.g., tugs, belt loaders) maintained by another contractor
• Accidents caused by negligence on the part of airline personnel or vendors
• Dangerous ramp conditions controlled by the Port of Seattle or other airport authorities
• Equipment lacking required safety features like functioning seatbelts or warning systems
• Inadequate training, supervision, or safety enforcement by third-party employers

Our firm conducts thorough investigations to identify all parties that may be legally responsible. If liability extends beyond your employer, we will pursue all available avenues to help you recover maximum compensation.

Who May Be Liable in an Airport Ramp Injury Case?

Ramp accident cases are often more complex than typical workplace injury claims. Multiple companies may be operating on the tarmac at the same time, including airlines, fueling contractors, maintenance vendors, and cleaning crews, all under the authority of the airport operator. In these environments, determining who is liable takes a careful, independent investigation.

Depending on the facts of your case, one or more of the following parties may be legally responsible:

• The Port of Seattle or another airport authority, if the injury was caused by poor lighting, unsafe ramp conditions, or inadequate safety oversight
• An airline, if its ground crew, vehicle operators, or policies directly contributed to the accident
• A third-party contractor or vendor, such as a fueling company or aircraft cleaning crew
• A vehicle or equipment manufacturer, if a defect caused a malfunction that led to injury
• Maintenance companies, if they failed to properly inspect or repair ramp vehicles and support equipment
• Security or logistics providers, if their personnel created dangerous ramp conditions or violated airport safety protocols

At Bishop Legal, we have extensive experience untangling these layers of responsibility. In one of our most notable cases, we secured a $40 million jury verdict after proving that a faulty baggage tug, operated in unsafe conditions under the Port of Seattle’s oversight, left a ground crew member permanently disabled.

If you’re unsure who may be liable in your case, we can help you find answers. Our team works with industry experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and investigators to build a strong, evidence-based claim, even when multiple parties are involved.

What to Expect When You Call Bishop Legal

We know that after a serious injury on the airport ramp, you're dealing with far more than physical recovery. You may be unable to work, struggling with medical bills, or uncertain about your future. When you contact Bishop Legal, you’re taking the first step toward securing experienced, determined legal representation, and peace of mind.

Here’s what you can expect when you reach out:

1. Free, No-Obligation Case Review. We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and evaluate whether you have a case, all at no cost to you. If we believe we can help, we’ll explain the next steps clearly and honestly.
2. Thorough Investigation. Our attorneys and investigators will dig into the details: examining safety records, securing maintenance logs, interviewing witnesses, and working with experts to uncover liability. We build every case for trial from the start — and we’re not afraid to take it there.
3. Full Support Throughout Your Case. We handle all communications with insurers, corporate defendants, and opposing counsel. We’ll keep you informed and empowered throughout the process while you focus on your health and recovery.
4. No Fee Unless We Win. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing up front. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.

Speak With a Seattle Airport Ramp Injury Lawyer Today

Bishop Legal has a national reputation for winning complex, high-stakes injury cases, including some of the most significant airport accident verdicts and settlements in Washington history. We’ve stood up to government agencies, airlines, and third-party contractors, and we’re ready to fight for you.

Call us 24/7 or contact us online to request a free and confidential consultation.