New Jersey Airport Baggage Handler Injury Attorneys

Baggage handlers are essential to keeping airports running smoothly, but the job comes with serious risks. Heavy lifting, repetitive motions, and exposure to extreme conditions make injuries common for airport workers. If you were hurt on the job while handling luggage, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under New Jersey law. These benefits can cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages related to your injury.

At the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, our dedicated injury attorneys fight for the rights of injured airport workers. With over 35 years of experience, we have helped countless employees recover the compensation they deserve. If you were injured while working as a baggage handler, you should not have to bear the financial burden alone. Let us help you explore your legal options and maximize your benefits.

Why New Jersey Airport Staff Face a High Risk of Injury

Baggage handlers at New Jersey airports, including Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN), and Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), manage thousands of pieces of luggage daily. This physically demanding role exposes workers to significant risks, including musculoskeletal injuries, falls, and heavy equipment accidents.

The transportation sector, which includes airport workers, accounted for 64% of all occupational injuries and illnesses in New Jersey in 2023. With a total recordable case (TRC) incidence rate of 3.2 per 100 full-time workers, the sector remains among the most hazardous industries in the state. Baggage handlers, in particular, experience a high rate of work-related injuries due to the demanding nature of their job.

Heavier Bags and Increased Workload

With airlines imposing stricter restrictions on carry-on luggage, passengers are checking in larger, heavier bags than ever before. Baggage handlers must repeatedly lift and maneuver these oversized suitcases, increasing the risk of back, shoulder, neck, and knee injuries. 

Checked baggage often exceeds 50 pounds, requiring repeated heavy lifting throughout a shift.

Thus, over time, improper lifting can cause herniated discs, torn rotator cuffs, and chronic lower back pain. Further, according to workplace injury reports, musculoskeletal disorders account for nearly 40% of injuries among airport baggage handlers. The combination of heavier luggage and limited rest periods between flights results in cumulative trauma injuries, which worsen over time if left untreated.

Fast-Paced and Physically Demanding Work

Baggage handlers work under strict time constraints, particularly at major airports like Newark Liberty International Airport, where over 200,000 passengers travel daily. Speed is essential to keeping flights on schedule, but rushing increases the likelihood of serious injuries. Handlers must load and unload baggage within tight turnaround times, often lifting hundreds of pieces per shift. Insufficient staffing due to seasonal demand or budget cuts forces workers to take on additional workloads, leading to fatigue-related injuries. Moreover, studies show that repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) are among the most common ailments suffered by baggage handlers, particularly in the wrists, elbows, and shoulders.

Unstable and Slippery Work Areas

New Jersey experiences extreme seasonal weather, creating hazardous conditions for airport workers handling baggage on tarmacs, jet bridges, and conveyor systems. Slip-and-fall accidents account for a significant percentage of workplace injuries in the airline industry.

Rain, snow, and ice create slippery surfaces, leading to fractures, concussions, and spinal cord injuries. The uneven ground on the tarmac increases the risk of ankle sprains and knee injuries.

In 2023, establishments employing 1,000 or more workers had an injury incidence rate of 3.1 per 100 full-time employees, highlighting the risks at major airports. Baggage handlers must also work around moving conveyor belts and baggage carts, which pose additional dangers. Injuries caused by malfunctioning equipment, falling luggage, or collisions with airport vehicles are frequent occurrences.

The High Injury Rate in the Transportation Industry

Given the demanding conditions, it is not surprising that New Jersey reported 66,800 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2023. The trade, transportation, and utilities sectors accounted for a significant portion of these cases, with an incidence rate of 3.2 per 100 full-time workers. Baggage handlers are among the most vulnerable workers in the transportation sector due to the combination of heavy lifting, repetitive motion, and exposure to hazardous environments. Without proper safety measures, many workers develop long-term disabilities that impact their ability to earn a living.

If you sustained an injury while working as a baggage handler, you have the right to seek workers’ compensation benefits. A knowledgeable New Jersey workers’ compensation lawyer can help you file a claim and ensure you receive full medical treatment, wage replacement benefits, and compensation for long-term impairments.

Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Injured Airport Employees

Baggage handlers who suffer workplace injuries are protected under the New Jersey’s Workers’ Compensation Act. This law ensures that injured employees receive benefits regardless of fault, meaning you do not have to prove that your employer was negligent to qualify for compensation. Workers’ compensation covers a range of benefits designed to ease the financial and physical burden of workplace injuries, ensuring you receive the care and support needed to recover.

Medical Coverage

Workers’ compensation provides full medical benefits for job-related injuries, covering all necessary and reasonable treatment costs. This includes:

• Emergency room visits for immediate care after an accident;
• Hospital stays for severe injuries requiring extended treatment;
• Surgeries for conditions such as herniated discs, torn ligaments, or fractures;
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation to restore mobility and strength; 
• Prescription medications to manage pain and aid recovery; and
• Diagnostic tests such as MRIs, X-rays, and CT scans to evaluate injuries.

Under New Jersey law, your employer or their workers’ compensation insurance provider selects the healthcare provider for your treatment. However, insurance companies often try to limit treatment options or deny certain medical procedures, arguing that they are unnecessary. 

Temporary Total Disability Benefits

If your injury prevents you from working for more than seven days, you may be eligible for temporary total disability (TTD) benefits. These payments provide 70% of your average weekly wage, subject to New Jersey’s annual maximum and minimum limits. In 2025, the maximum weekly TTD benefit in New Jersey is $1,159. 

Payments continue until you are able to return to work or have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), meaning further treatment is unlikely to improve your condition.

If your doctor determines you can return to work with restrictions (such as lifting limits), but your employer cannot accommodate those restrictions, you may still receive partial disability benefits.

Many injured baggage handlers experience long-term pain and limited mobility, making it difficult to return to physically demanding work. You may qualify for additional compensation if your injury leads to a permanent impairment.

Permanent Partial or Total Disability Benefits

Some workplace injuries leave baggage handlers with lifelong impairments, making it impossible to return to their previous job. Under New Jersey workers’ compensation laws, those with permanent disabilities may qualify for Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) or Permanent Total Disability (PTD) benefits, depending on the severity of their condition. 

Workers with lasting impairments who can still perform some job duties may qualify for Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits under New Jersey law. Compensation depends on whether the injury is classified as a scheduled or non-scheduled loss. Scheduled losses involve specific body parts like the hands, arms, legs, or eyes, with benefits determined by a set schedule. Non-scheduled losses affect areas such as the back, lungs, heart, or other internal systems, with payouts based on the severity of impairment and its impact on the worker’s ability to earn a living.

For injuries preventing a baggage handler from returning to any form of work, PTD benefits provide 70% of the worker’s average weekly wage, up to the state’s maximum. These payments may continue for life if the worker remains unable to earn a living. Severe conditions like spinal cord damage or brain injuries often qualify for lifetime benefits, ensuring financial stability.

Death Benefits for Families of Deceased Workers

Baggage handling is a physically demanding job with serious risks, especially in areas with heavy machinery, conveyor belts, fast-moving baggage vehicles, and aircraft. If a worker dies due to a job-related injury, New Jersey law provides financial support for their dependents

Pursuant to New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development Statute:

Dependents of a worker who dies because of a work-related injury or illness may be eligible to receive death benefits. The weekly benefits payments are 70% of the weekly wage of the deceased worker, not to exceed the maximum benefit amount established annually by the Commissioner of Labor. As of January 1, 2024, the maximum weekly workers’ compensation benefit rate in New Jersey is $1,131. The benefit amount is divided by the surviving dependents as determined by a judge of compensation after a hearing on extent of dependency. A surviving spouse and natural children who were a part of decedent’s household at the time of death are conclusively presumed to be dependents. A surviving spouse and natural children who were not a part of the decedent’s household at the time of death and all other alleged dependents (parents, grandparents, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, etc.) must prove actual dependency. Children who are deemed to be dependents remain so until the age of 18 years or, if a full-time student, until the age of 23 years. If a child is physically or mentally disabled, he/she may be eligible for further benefits. The employer or its insurance carrier is responsible to pay up to $3,500 in funeral expenses for a job-related death. These funds are payable to whomever is liable for the funeral bill, be it the estate or an individual.

Challenges Baggage Handlers Face When Filing Workers’ Compensation Claims

While New Jersey law entitles injured baggage handlers to workers’ compensation, securing full benefits is not always straightforward. Employers and insurance companies often look for ways to limit payouts, delay or deny claims, or dispute injuries to reduce costs. Understanding these challenges can help you prepare for potential roadblocks in your claim.

Delayed or Denied Claims

One of the most common problems workers face is insurance companies delaying or outright denying their claims. Some common reasons for denial include:

• Failure to report the injury on time. New Jersey law requires employees to notify their employer within 90 days of the injury, but reporting immediately strengthens your case.
• Lack of medical evidence. Insurance providers may argue that an injury was pre-existing or not work-related if medical documentation is incomplete.
• Disputes over work-relatedness. Employers may claim the injury did not happen on the job or was caused by an unrelated condition.

If your claim is denied, you can file a formal appeal with the New Jersey Division of Workers’ Compensation. A workers’ compensation attorney can help gather medical evidence, obtain witness statements, and present a strong case for benefits approval.

Pressure to Return to Work Too Soon

Employers and insurance providers often encourage injured workers to return before fully recovering. If a doctor assigned by the employer’s insurance company clears you for work, but you are still experiencing pain or limited mobility, you may feel pressured to resume duties before you are physically ready. Returning too soon increases the risk of re-injury or worsening the existing condition. You have the right to request a second medical opinion if you believe your employer’s doctor is downplaying your injuries. If you cannot return to full-duty work, you may qualify for modified duty assignments or permanent disability benefits.

A workers’ compensation attorney can ensure that your employer does not force you back to work before you are able to, helping you secure continued medical care and disability benefits.

Third-Party Liability Workers’ Compensation Claims 

Baggage handlers may be eligible for additional compensation if a third-party’s negligence contributed to their injury. While workers’ compensation limits lawsuits against employers, you can pursue a third-party claim if another company was responsible. Faulty equipment may lead to claims against manufacturers or maintenance providers. Injuries from airport service vehicles could involve the driver’s employer (possibly a contractor) and/or insurer. If an airline contractor failed to maintain safety, you may seek further damages. Unlike workers’ comp, third-party claims allow for pain and suffering compensation, potentially increasing financial recovery. A workers’ compensation attorney can determine if you have a valid third-party claim.

Third-party liability claims allow workers to recover personal injury compensation beyond the financial support workers’ compensation offers, including damages for pain and suffering. At the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, we thoroughly investigate your injury claim to identify all responsible parties and secure the maximum compensation available for your recovery.

Were You Hurt on the Job as a Baggage Handler? Contact The Todd J. Leonard Law Firm Today!

Your job keeps airports running, but it shouldn’t cost you your health. If you’ve been injured while handling baggage at a New Jersey airport, you deserve full workers’ compensation benefits—not delays, denials, or reduced payments. Don’t let your employer or their insurance company decide your future. At the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, we stand up for injured airport workers and fight to ensure they receive proper medical care, lost wages, and long-term disability benefits.

Our New Jersey workers’ compensation attorneys have over 35 years of experience aggressively representing New Jersey workers seriously injured on-the-job. We have successfully handled thousands of claims involving injured New Jersey workers, recovering over $100 million for our clients. Our personal injury lawyers have also assisted workers with their third-party claims involved in all types of accident claims, including slip and fall accidents, dog bite attacks, car accidents, etc.

Whether it be through a workers’ comp claim and/or a third-party personal injury case, our worker’s compensation and personal injury lawyers will help you navigate the complexities of the process, so you can focus on your recovery. To learn more about how we can help you pursue a workers’ compensation claim, give us a call today at (973) 920-7900 to request a FREE and confidential consultation. You can also connect with us through our online form. There is never a fee unless we win. We have two conveniently located offices in Denville and Morristown, New Jersey.