Injured on an International Flight to or From Boston Logan?

Boston Logan International Airport connects Massachusetts travelers with Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America, Canada, the Middle East and Asia. When a passenger is hurt on one of these flights, the claim is usually governed by the Montreal Convention, not ordinary Massachusetts negligence law. Muggeo & Associates, based in Salem on the North Shore, represents passengers injured on international flights to and from Logan, including on foreign airlines. Attorney Louis J. Muggeo brings more than 2,000 hours of civilian flight time to the firm’s aviation work.

Why International Flight Injuries Are Different

A treaty governs the claim. The Montreal Convention generally replaces state-law claims against the airline for injuries on international flights.
Airlines are strictly liable for qualifying accidents up to 151,880 SDRs per passenger, and can be liable above that amount unless they prove they were not negligent.
The deadline is two years under Article 35, and it generally cannot be extended.
Where you can sue is limited to the places listed in Article 33, which often include the United States for Massachusetts residents and for trips that end in Boston.

Injuries We See on International Flights

Falling overhead bin luggage
Severe turbulence injuries
Burns from hot drinks and meals
Beverage cart injuries
Slips and falls in the aisle, on stairs or on the jet bridge
Injuries during wheelchair assistance and deplaning
Hard landings and evacuations
Assaults by other passengers and unreasonable crew responses to medical emergencies

See airline injury types under the Montreal Convention for how courts analyze each.

Injuries at Logan Airport Itself

Injuries in the terminal, on escalators, in parking areas or on shuttle buses away from the boarding process are usually not governed by the Montreal Convention. Those claims may be brought under ordinary negligence law against the party responsible for the area, which can include public authorities with special notice and filing rules. Act quickly in either case.

How We Help

Determine whether the Montreal Convention applies based on your ticket and itinerary.
Send preservation demands for crew reports, flight data, catering and service records, and airport video.
Identify where the case can be filed, including the United States under the fifth jurisdiction where available.
Document medical care at home and abroad and the full extent of your losses.
Negotiate with the airline’s insurers and file suit within the two-year deadline when needed.

Elsewhere in New England, and by Airline

We also represent passengers from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and Rhode Island. See our New England and Northeast page and our airline-by-airline directory.

Frequently Asked Questions

I live in Massachusetts and was hurt on a foreign airline. Can I sue here?

Often, yes. Under Article 33 of the Montreal Convention, a passenger injury claim may be brought in the country where the passenger has his or her principal and permanent residence if the airline operates services to or from that country and conducts business there from premises it or a commercial partner leases or owns. Many foreign airlines serve Logan, and a U.S. court must also have personal jurisdiction over the airline.

My injury happened on a connecting flight overseas. Does the Convention still apply?

Usually. The Convention looks at the whole itinerary on the ticket. If your trip began or ended in Boston and involved another member country, a connection booked on the same ticket is generally part of international carriage.

What should I do after landing at Logan with an injury?

Report the injury to the airline before leaving the airport if you can, get medical care, keep your boarding pass and itinerary, photograph your injuries, and write down crew and witness names. Contact a lawyer well before the two-year deadline.

Related Resources

Injured on an international flight? Call Muggeo & Associates at (978) 741-1177 or request a consultation. Montreal Convention claims must be filed within two years, and evidence held by airlines can disappear quickly. We have offices in Salem, Massachusetts and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Whether the Montreal Convention applies, where a claim can be filed and what can be recovered depend on the ticket, the itinerary and the facts. Our attorneys are admitted in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Florida; where a case must be filed elsewhere, we may work with local counsel. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee future outcomes. Last reviewed November 2026.