The Spinal Cord Injury Law Firm is investigating claims of mobility devices being damaged by airlines and disabled persons going several months without access to their medical equipment. Compensation may be available.
Airline Accountability
We’re gathering information from wheelchair users whose chairs were damaged during air travel and then stuck in a long, confusing repair process. If your personal wheelchair was damaged by an airline and you waited weeks or months for a safe, comparable repair or replacement, we want to hear from you. This is an investigation, not a filed case. We are exploring:
- Consumer protection and unfair-practice concerns related to repair timelines, loaner comparability, parts ordering, and communications.
- Negligent coordination of repairs and replacements that foreseeably harms users.
- Contract-based issues, where written commitments about timelines or loaners may exist.
- Injunctive relief, such as standards for response times, comparable loaners, parts benchmarks, and transparent tracking.
Fill out our survey by clicking the link below. Your story will help hold airlines and the repair process accountable.
Tell Us Your Story
What this investigation is about?
Air travel accessibility is governed by the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). The ACAA does not provide a private right of action, so many travelers are pushed to file DOT complaints for individual incidents. What we’re seeing is a separate, widespread problem after the incident: airlines often hand off repair and replacement to third-party coordinators and vendors. That handoff is where delays, poor communication, and non-comparable loaners frequently occur.
Who is involved in the post-incident process
Reports commonly mention:
- Airlines that caused the initial damage and then referred the matter outward.
- Facilitators/”accessibility logistics” organizations were brought in to coordinate.
- Central repair coordinators who schedule evaluations and parts.
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME) vendors that order parts and perform repairs.
We are examining whether policies, contracts or business practices in this vendor chain are causing systemic delays and harm to wheelchair users.
What people are reporting
Airline travelers who need mobility devices have reported the following in relation to damaged wheelchairs:
- Long waits for restoration of a personal wheelchair, sometimes many months.
- Loaners that are not comparable, are not safe, or cannot be used for daily life.
- Opaque timelines and confusing handoffs between multiple companies.
- Medical setbacks, lost work, and loss of independence due to the delay.
Our team is exploring whether or not airlines violated the rights of disabled persons. If you believe your rights were violated, fill out the form.
Who may be eligible to share information
You may be a good fit for this investigation if:
- Your personal, customized power or manual wheelchair was damaged during air travel.
- The airline referred you to third parties for evaluation and repair.
- Your chair was not restored in a reasonable timeframe; or
- You were given a loaner that was not comparable or not safe; and
- You experienced loss of use, medical issues, missed work, or loss of independence as a result.
If you are unsure, tell us what happened. We can review the details.
More on mobility devices damaged by airlines
Air Travel and Damaged Mobility Devices
For millions of Americans, wheelchairs are a necessity for mobility. Yet, every year, thousands of travelers with disabilities find their mobility aids destroyed or damaged by airlines. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), airlines mishandle an average of 1.5% of all wheelchairs and scooters they transport, which translates to thousands of incidents annually. For passengers who rely on these devices to move, work and live independently, even one damaged wheelchair can mean days or weeks of pain, immobility, and indignity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a lawsuit?
Not yet. We are gathering facts to determine next steps.
Does the ACAA let me sue the airline?
The ACAA does not include a private right of action. Many travelers file DOT complaints. Our investigation focuses on post-incident vendor practices that may be addressed under state consumer protection and other laws.
What if my chair was eventually repaired?
You may still be affected if the delay was unreasonable, the loaner was not comparable, or you suffered financial or medical harm during the wait.
What does “comparable loaner” mean?
A temporary device that reasonably matches your chair’s function and medical needs so you can safely perform daily activities while your chair is being repaired or replaced.
Will you keep my information private?
Yes. Once you contact our firm, we will never disclose your information. Your submission is confidential within our legal team.
I have had my wheelchair damaged by an airline. How can I get involved?
You can help hold airlines accountable by sharing your story as we gather more information about what individuals are experiencing. Fill out the survey here
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