Airport Expert Witness773-619-1226
Airport Liability Expert Services

Airport Liability Expert

Standard of Care, Breach of Duty & Causation Opinions for Airport Negligence Cases

Airport liability cases require an expert who can speak with authority on the operational standards that govern airport facilities — and whether those standards were met or breached. Our airport liability expert services provide the credible, well-supported opinions that plaintiff and defense counsel need to evaluate, litigate, and resolve complex airport negligence cases.

Airport Liability: The Legal Framework

Airport operators owe a duty of reasonable care to all persons on their premises — passengers, employees, contractors, and visitors. That duty encompasses maintaining safe walking surfaces, providing adequate lighting and signage, ensuring construction zones are properly secured, complying with ADA accessibility requirements, and operating security and crowd management systems that prevent foreseeable harm. When that duty is breached and an injury results, an airport liability expert provides the professional opinions needed to establish negligence.

Areas of Airport Liability We Cover

Our airport liability expert services span the full range of civil liability theories that arise in airport cases — from basic premises liability to complex multi-party construction defect claims.

  • Premises liability: slip, trip, and fall in terminals, concourses, and public areas
  • Construction defect: improper installation, code violations, workmanship failures
  • ADA violations: accessible routes, ramps, door hardware, signage
  • OSHA standards: construction zone safety, fall protection, lockout/tagout
  • Negligent security: screening failures, access control, crowd management
  • Dram shop liability: alcohol overservice in airport bars and restaurants
  • Wrongful death: foreseeable hazards and inadequate emergency response
  • Human factors: wayfinding, warning adequacy, perception-reaction analysis

The Credibility Advantage

Expert witness credibility is built on the foundation of direct, relevant experience. Paul Gaston's 17+ years as General Foreman at O'Hare International Airport — combined with his City of Chicago General Contractor license and dual OSHA 30-Hour certifications — provides a level of airport-specific operational credibility that is unmatched in the expert witness field. When he testifies about what an airport operator should have done, he is speaking from direct, first-hand experience managing those exact operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What standard of care applies to airport operators?

Airport operators are generally held to the standard of a reasonably prudent operator of a similar facility under similar circumstances. This includes compliance with FAA Advisory Circulars, TSA security directives, ADA Standards for Accessible Design, ASTM flooring standards, OSHA construction and general industry standards, and the airport's own written policies and procedures.

Can an airport liability expert help with wrongful death cases?

Yes. Our experts evaluate wrongful death cases involving airport operational failures — including foreseeable hazard conditions, inadequate emergency response, security failures, and construction zone accidents. We provide opinions on causation, breach of duty, and the foreseeability of the fatal outcome.

Retain an Expert

Initial consultation at no charge. CVs and prior testimony lists available upon request.

CALL 773-619-1226SUBMIT CASE INQUIRY
Fee Schedule
Retainer: $6,000 (non-refundable)
Hourly: $600/hr
Deposition: $2,500–$5,000
Trial: $5,000–$10,000

Expert Credentials

  • 17+ Years at O'Hare International Airport
  • City of Chicago Licensed General Contractor
  • OSHA 30-Hour Certified (Construction & General Industry)
  • ADA Compliance Specialist
  • Plaintiff & Defense
  • All 50 States