What Is the 1999 Montreal Convention?

For many Connecticut residents, international travel begins at Bradley International Airport, where flights regularly connect travelers to destinations around the world. From lost bags to lost lives, air travel has the potential to go wrong in a myriad of ways. An international flight injury lawyer can help answer questions like, “What is the 1999 Montreal Convention?” and “How does it apply to me?”, bringing clarity to you and your case.

What Is the 1999 Montreal Convention?

The 1999 Montreal Convention was put forth as a global treaty with one goal in mind: to modernize international travel rules. This would serve as protection for passengers and prevention for airlines, allowing travelers the opportunity to file claims against any airline that breached their duty, as well as giving airlines the opportunity to avoid situations where a claim could be filed against them.

Baggage loss, while one of the less severe issues laid out in the Convention, is one of the most common. According to the SITA 2023 Baggage Report, roughly 36.1 million bags were mishandled across the globe. This can lead to delayed, lost, or even stolen luggage.

Traveling can also be a dangerous endeavor. One study suggests that approximately 47 passenger injuries occurred over 709 billion miles of air travel during 2023. Then, in 2024, there were an estimated 244 on-board fatalities, which was 100 over the five-year average and almost 200 more occurrences than in 2023.

The main goal behind the 1999 Montreal Convention is to protect passengers from experiencing such tribulations, as well as giving them a framework for when to seek damages should the airline fail to uphold its side of protection.

The Key Elements of the 1999 Montreal Convention

In addition to knowing the rights it gives you, there are several additional aspects of the Montreal Convention that may be beneficial to know about, including the following examples: 

• Airline liability. One of the benefits of the Montreal Convention is that it has helped establish a strict liability policy for airlines up to a specific set limit for passenger injuries and/or death, regardless of whether or not fault can be proven.
• Baggage and cargo. Under the Montreal Convention of 1999, damaged, delayed, and/or lost baggage and cargo are covered. This even includes modern rule alterations regarding documentation rules, such as e- airway bills.
• History and modernization. Before the Montreal Convention of 1999 was put in place, there was the Warsaw Convention, sometimes referred to as the Hague Convention. Some countries still uphold the Warsaw Convention, having yet to make the switch to the more modern version.
• Passenger rights. The Convention also gives passengers the right to file a claim against their country of residence, so long as it has an airline presence there. This can provide travelers with coverage for delays and even immediate assistance payments.
• Scope. The Montreal Convention has a wide scope, which means that it applies to every international flight traveling between countries that are members of the Convention. This means that all of these countries are required to meet the standards and offer travelers the same opportunities regardless of location.

What You Could Receive Compensation for in Your International Flight Injury Case

If you and your lawyer are able to prove negligence and, additionally, liability, there are several things you may be qualified to receive compensation for, including the following examples:

• Your emotional distress
• Any lost wages related to your injury
• Repayment of your past medical expenses
• Coverage for future related medical expenses
• Your pain and suffering
• Wrongful death damages for the loss of your beloved family member

Hire an International Flight Injury Lawyer

There are many reasons you may want to hire an international flight injury lawyer, including the clarity you can receive. The legal world can be complex, confusing, and overwhelming, leaving you feeling lost. You have suffered enough. Let a lawyer guide you through the jargon, procedures, and protocol, bringing you clarity, peace of mind, and the potential for monetary success.

Choose Sorrentino Legal – Injury & Accident Law to Handle Your Case

With an approach that heavily emphasizes empathy and determination, attorney Brad Sorrentino can guide you every step of the way as you pursue the compensation you need to recover financially and even medically.

You do not need to face this case alone. Let us help you pursue your desired outcomes while offering you the encouragement, clarity, and dedication you deserve.

FAQs

How Much Compensation Can I Get for an In-Flight Injury Claim?

The amount of compensation a person can receive for an international flight injury claim tends to vary case by case. The results may be impacted by the severity of your injury, the cost of your medical bills, whether or not you have the support of a skilled personal injury lawyer, the liability of the airline, and other additional variables.

What Is the Main Purpose of the Montreal Convention of 1999?

The driving purpose behind the Montreal Convention is to establish a unified legal framework that enables international travelers to hold airlines liable for accidents, injuries, the loss or damage of luggage, fatalities, and issues with cargo. This framework helps passengers understand their rights and offers protection while also helping airlines maintain a predictable system that both holds them accountable and allows them to maintain safety measures.

Are There Any Countries That Are Not Ratified Under the Montreal Convention of 1999?

While many of the United Nations and major global travel countries have agreed to the Montreal Convention, there are still some minor countries or those less involved in international travel that have yet to undergo that same ratification. Some of these countries have yet to sign any agreement, while others continue to operate under the Warsaw Convention rules, which came prior to the changes made by the Montreal Convention.

Does the Montreal Convention Make It Legal for Me to File a Flight Injury Claim Against an Airline?

Yes. In fact, the Montreal Convention not only makes it legal for you to file a flight injury claim against an airline, but it also offers you a set of guidelines by which to do so. There are also additional reasons given in the Convention for filing a claim, but injury and wrongful death cases are both options.

Get More Information Today

You deserve to feel safe while traveling. If that safety has been violated, contact Sorrentino Legal – Injury & Accident Law today to schedule a consultation and get the representation you need for your flying injury case.