The parents of a six-year-old child, identified as O.F., who allegedly suffered severe burn injuries from a hot in-flight meal, have filed a lawsuit against United Airlines seeking $75,000 in damages.
The distressing incident unfolded during a United Airlines flight from Israel to New Jersey in July 2022, when O.F. and her mother were on board. According to the lawsuit filed last week, the child sustained injuries when a hot meal served on a tray slid off a defective fold-down tray table, landing in her lap.
"The food contents on O.F.’s meal tray were unreasonably hot and caused O.F. to suffer severe burn injuries," the lawsuit stated per the New York Post, highlighting the traumatic nature of the event.
The child's mother, in the lawsuit, emphasized her plea for immediate medical attention for her daughter. However, she alleged that the lack of adequate medical supplies onboard hindered their ability to provide timely care, leaving the child in "extreme discomfort" for the duration of the flight.
As a result of the incident, the lawsuit asserts that O.F. sustained lasting scars and disfigurement. The parents accuse United Airlines of negligence, citing failure to maintain safe tray tables, provide meals at appropriate temperatures, and equip the aircraft with sufficient medical resources.
Moreover, the lawsuit claims that United Airlines neglected to warn passengers about the defective tray table, further exacerbating the situation.
In their pursuit of justice, the parents are seeking compensation for past and future medical expenses, with damages exceeding $75,000. They have requested a jury trial to address the matter.
Responding to the allegations, United Airlines informed The Independent that they are unable to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.
As the lawsuit unfolds, the aviation industry faces renewed scrutiny over passenger safety and the provision of adequate onboard facilities. United Airlines awaits the outcome of the litigation, with the case poised to shed light on the responsibilities of airlines in ensuring the well-being of passengers during air travel.
United Airlines was in the spotlight some years ago - again for all the wrong reasons as they agreed to a staggering $30 million settlement over a horrifying incident that left a quadriplegic man, Nathaniel "NJ" Foster Jr., brain-damaged.
The heartbreaking event unfolded on February 8, 2019, during a United Express flight from San Francisco to Monroe, Louisiana. NJ was traveling with his family to attend a funeral when the incident happened.
The incident, as described in court documents, involved an "aggressively" mishandled deplaning process that led to severe injuries for NJ. Unlike regular circumstances where four to six staff would assist him, only one attendant was available initially, per Reuters.
A disturbing account reveals that even when a "supervisor" arrived at the scene, the response to the family's request for more help was shockingly insensitive. The supervisor allegedly stated, "Fine. Do it yourself, then... I’m out," according to court filings.
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