
Workers in aviation and travel jobs experience high-stress environments frequently. Injury from workplace hazards is a huge disruption to your life, but it’s one you don’t have to face alone. An Asheville aviation worker injury lawyer can provide the experience and guidance necessary to make your case smoother.
At The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers, we understand the challenge of workers’ comp and personal injury cases. From employees at AVL to teachers at the WNC Aviation flight school, we can support you after a workplace injury. With decades of experience in representing the interests of workers and a firm base in Western North Carolina, we’re prepared to provide the assistance you need.
With the busy Asheville Regional Airport serving thousands of passengers each month (88,494 boarded in November 2025), there are many aviation employees in the Asheville area. Generally, most people who work for an aviation employer are considered aviation employees.
North Carolina aviation worker injury laws define who is considered an employee. Nearly anyone employed under appointment, implied or explicit contracts that can be verbal or oral, is considered an employee. This also includes minors in its definition. There are specific considerations for special workers, like truck drivers, as well.
In practical terms, that can include pilots and flight attendants, as well as baggage handlers, cargo loaders, and air traffic controllers. There are many types of aviation employees, each exposed to hazards as part of their job requirements. If you’re not sure if you qualify, consult with a lawyer at The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers to find out.

In any workplace accident or injury case, it’s vital to be aware of the laws and follow them to ensure you get the compensation to which you’re entitled. This starts by notifying your employer of the accident and injury as soon as possible. If you’re not able to contact them directly, you may be able to have another trusted person, like a coworker, tell them.
Within 30 days of the incident, provide a formal written notice detailing what happened, what you understand of the accident, and your injury. Without this notice, you may not be able to obtain workers’ comp benefits.
Your employer will likely have an approved medical provider for you. Be sure to be honest with them and follow their medical recommendations. Ensure that your provider knows you’re being treated for a workplace injury.
When proper steps are followed, you might be entitled to workers’ comp benefits such as indemnity/lost wages payments, medical care coverage, and vocational rehabilitation services. To know what your specific case might qualify for, talk to an experienced Asheville aviation worker injury attorney.
While workplace injuries are fairly uncommon, they’re devastating when they do occur. The transportation industry accounts for 11% of all OSHA cases, and 95% of those cases are on-the-job injuries. After an aviation workplace injury, legal help can simplify the process and make it easier for you to pursue recovery.
Worker injury lawyers do far more than file claims on your behalf. They can also:
Choosing a lawyer from The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers means choosing someone with dedication, passion, and experience. We can bring the legal guidance you might need to move forward with your case, whether it’s a workers’ comp case or a personal injury claim.
In some cases, airlines are liable for personal injury. Typically, this will require proving that the airline or its employees are at fault for the injury. Negligence, creating an unsafe environment or situation by failing to perform their duties, is the most common way that airlines can be liable for personal injury.
If the airline or plane staff might be responsible for your injury, especially through negligence, you might be able to file a personal injury claim. As an aviation worker injured while working, you could be eligible for workers’ comp benefits. To understand what legal actions might be good to pursue, it’s advisable to speak to a lawyer for advice.
Laws around aviation liability are complex, but there is no one aviation liability law. Instead, North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 63 covers most laws surrounding aviation liability and other aviation concerns. Questions about definitions, procedures, and policies can likely be answered by those statutes. These statutes provide the framework used to assess aviation-related responsibilities and claims in the state.
Negligence is when an employee or employer fails to adequately perform their duties, creating potential harm or injury to others. For example, an airport neglecting to place wet floor signs on freshly mopped floors is being negligent and may be held liable if someone slips and gets injured. Negligence in aviation works very similarly to negligence in other areas of employment.
When you hire an aviation worker injury lawyer, you gain valuable legal knowledge and take some of the burden off your shoulders. You shouldn’t have to deal with gathering evidence and preparing a case while recovering from an upsetting injury. Instead, get aid from someone who can lead you through the process.
The team at The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers has 45 combined years of experience in cases just like that. From workers’ comp to personal injury claims, we’ve seen cases of a wide variety. We are dedicated to representing our clients and making sure they know what they’re entitled to.
If you need legal help after an injury, set up a consultation with us to find out more about what we can offer. Your focus should be on recovery, so let us focus on advocating for your rights and navigating the difficult legal requirements of these cases.