United Aircraft Tug Driver Injured In Airplane Accident At The Chicago O’Hare International Airport

Work Compensation - February 7, 2025

Investigation Underway After United Airlines Tug Operator Injured in Crash with American Airlines Plane

United Aircraft Tug Driver Injured In Airplane Accident At The Chicago O'Hare International Airport

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (February 7, 2025) – A 64-year-old unit aircraft tug operator was seriously injured after his vehicle was hit by an American Airlines plane at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.

Airport officials are saying that the accident took place around 6:58 PM on Saturday. The driver of the aircraft tug had his vehicle knocked over by the wing of an American Airlines plane while it was crossing the taxiway.

The force of the impact caused the driver to become pinned underneath the tub. Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim.

An ambulance took the injured man to the Lutheran General Hospital with major injuries to his head and lower body. A full investigation into the accident involving the American Airlines plane at O’Hare remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Airport Plane Accidents

Work-related accidents at airports are actually much more common than many people realize. According to one study in the National Institutes of Health, “Work-related accidents at the airport are common, but the incidence and type of such events occurring in aviation ground personnel have not been reported previously. (…) We conclude that slips, trips and falls are the most common cause of accidents in airport ground personnel. Further studies in other airports are warranted to confirm our findings.” There are a number of other common causes of workplace accidents at an airport.

  • Workers run the risk of being hit by trucks, tugs, and other aircraft.
  • Workers are repeatedly exposed to heights and could be seriously injured in a long fall.
  • Prolonged exposure to noise from jet engines could lead to permanent hearing damage.

When a worker is injured in Illinois, they will typically have recourse through the workers’ compensation system. Workers compensation in Illinois operates off a no-fault system. In other words, a worker does not need to prove that one entity was negligent and caused the accident that injured them. In addition to workers compensation claims, an injured worker may also be able to pursue a third-party liability claim. A third-party liability claim may be possible if an entity separate from a worker’s employer was responsible for an accident.

There could be numerous sources of third-party liability in an airport accident. For example, the airline that owned the plane that hit a worker could be liable. Pilots have a legal obligation to avoid pedestrians and other vehicles in their vicinity. It is also possible that the FAA could be liable for a plane accident. They oversee air traffic control towers and are responsible for carefully navigating planes around a runway. Victims of airport accidents tend to suffer very serious injuries.

  • Broken bones
  • Head injuries
  • Lacerations
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Organ damage

The vast majority of plane accidents that happen in an airport are actually preventable. They tend to be the result of miscommunications between pilots and air traffic controllers. It is important that accident victims understand that they do have rights. They may be able to seek some measure of accountability and justice through a civil claim. This is why it is so important that accident victims seek the guidance of an experienced aviation accident attorney.

Investigating Chicago Airplane Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to the driver of the tugboat injured in this crash at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport. It is our sincere hope that he will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. The number of airplane accidents involving commercial airliners within the past several weeks remains deeply concerning.

Have you or someone you care about been injured in an airplane accident at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport? Our team of aviation accident attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We are committed to making sure that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.