Hazmat Called for Suspicious Liquid at Airport

Emergency crews that included both firefighters and hazmat teams were called to respond to a chemical spill at Miami International Airport on Monday afternoon.

Airport officials said a TSA agent had been routinely checking luggage in a cargo hold area before loading it into a plane between gates D24 and D25, The TSA agent noticed a suspicious odor coming out of a bag belonging to a passenger on American Airlines Flight 1119, originating from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The flight was scheduled to fly on to Baltimore, Maryland after its stop at Miami International airport.

TSA will re-screen all luggage that arrives in the U.S. from foreign destinations before it is transferred and loaded onto any domestic flight. This re-screening process is done for both checked and carry-on baggage.

The Hazmat investigators determined that the suspicious scent which was coming from the suitcase revealed a homemade pesticide. The substance was being stored inside a three-ounce container and the contents had seeped through the suitcase and started to make several TSA agents sick. “From our understanding, there was some spillage from the bag,” said MIA spokesperson Greg Chin. “It was enough that it caused them to react in a way that caused their health to take a downturn.”

The incident caused two gates at the airport to be closed down and the area to be isolated while the hazmat team placed the toxic item into an orange bag. Paramedics on the scene treated five TSA agents who were experiencing a variety of reactions from the substance ranging from nausea, headaches, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Four of five agents were later transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital for further evaluation following their exposure. Officials state that all of the agents are expected to fully recover after the incident.

Flight 119 continued onto its destination to Baltimore without any delays.

The TSA said in a statement that a male passenger who was attached to the bag containing the pesticide had been located and was being interviewed by both TSA officials and local law enforcement officers.

Any job holds the potential for a workplace accident to happen. Even if you work in a field Accidents can happen from falls, exposures to chemicals and solvents and even the careless actions of others who come in to your place of business. This is especially true of jobs that deal with the public or in public service facilities such as airports and transportation centers.

When you are injured on the job, you may be able to collect financial damages for a workplace or on-the job injury or accident. Keeping accurate records of the entire incident is important. Don’t be tempted to sign a statement or settle a claim too quickly. Be sure to retain copies of all documents received from your employer and the insurance carrier regarding your on the job accident or illness.

Keep copies of all documents received from your employer or the insurance carrier regarding your work-related illness or injury. Keep accurate records of the following:

The amount of time or number of days you are off the job.
Records of all medical treatments including dates, names of physicians, out of pocket costs or those that you turn in to your insurance company.
Keep a record of all of the mileage you have travelled both to and from your medical treatments. You could be entitled to full reimbursement for these costs.
Keep all receipts for any and all out-of-pocket prescription costs and other related medical expenses and costs that you incur as a result of your on-the-job injuries.

If you or a loved one has suffered injury or been in an accident in the workplace, give us a call. Our lawyers have been successfully representing clients in the Florida courts for many years. We are focused on getting you the highest level of compensation possible for your injuries, as well as all expenses lost wages, pain and suffering. When you call our office, you will be matched with one of our attorneys who will go over the details of your case with you. They will then outline possible courses of action and can get the process toward your settlement claim started. We are here to help. Your initial consultation is always confidential and without cost or obligation.