CNN —

Delta Air Lines Flight 4819 experienced a dramatic incident upon landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport, where it flipped over, leaving 76 passengers suspended upside down in their seatbelts. In light of the event, the airline is offering each affected passenger $30,000.

If all passengers accept the compensation, Delta is set to disburse an estimated total of around $2.3 million.

A Delta spokesperson informed CNN that “representatives from the Delta Care Team are assuring customers that this offer comes with no conditions and does not compromise their rights.”

The CRJ900 twin-jet aircraft was attempting to land on February 17 around 2:15 p.m. ET when it crashed, caught fire, and overturned. Footage received by CNN captures the plane’s rear landing gear collapsing and the right wing breaking off amid a fireball following a hard landing. Notably, strong winds had been reported in Toronto throughout the day.

Fortunately, all 80 individuals aboard, including four crew members, survived the ordeal. Twenty-one passengers were hospitalized but have since been discharged, according to Delta.

The timeline for how and when passengers will receive their compensation remains unclear. The flight, arriving from Minneapolis, was operated by Delta’s subsidiary Endeavor Air.

Passengers who choose to accept Delta’s offer can expect to receive their payments soon after making their agreement, as stated by Thomas A. Demetrio, co-founding partner of Corboy & Demetrio, a law firm specializing in personal injury and aviation litigation.

“There’s no reason to delay,” he remarked.

According to Erin Applebaum, a partner at Kreindler—a law firm focusing on aviation accident cases—that initial compensation is a common response in circumstances like this.

“This is a positive public relations move from Delta to assist those who may be in immediate financial need,” Demetrio commented.

However, Demetrio noted that Delta’s offer might not discourage passengers from pursuing legal action following the event.

“Compensation may cover medical expenses incurred, loss of income due to inability to work, or mental distress that prevents return to work,” Demetrio explained.

An international agreement known as the Montreal Convention governs incidents that occur on international flights.

Under the convention, injured passengers on international flights may claim compensation up to $200,000, provided they can demonstrate that an accident took place, even if the airline wasn’t negligent.

Passengers may pursue claims for costs that surpass this threshold. If the airline is found negligent, the compensation limit can exceed $200,000, as noted by Applebaum.

According to the Montreal Convention, passengers have a two-year period to file a lawsuit.

“There’s ample time to monitor how injuries evolve and what the situation holds for these passengers,” Applebaum stated.

Applebaum also anticipates that most claims will likely be settled outside of court within 12 to 18 months, well before any formal lawsuits are initiated.