Passenger left “scarred” by in-flight accident
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An Australian woman is suing Hawaiian Airlines after an incident involving “scalding hot” tea landed on her lap due to an airline hostess’ mistake.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dimity Plaister, 47, from the Gold Coast, was flying from Brisbane to Honolulu for a ten-day holiday in April, 2017.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, as she was settling down and preparing for the long flight, an airline hostess accidentally knocked the cardboard cup of tea off Ms Plaister’s tray table whilst passing a carton of milk.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The black tea landed on her lap, burning her skin and saturating her clothes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Plaister lodged a statement of claims in the Federal Court in Brisbane, claiming that the incident left her with burns to her hip, thigh and buttocks, permanent scarring as well as an aggravation of anxiety and depression. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to court documents, Plaister immediately told cabin crew what had happened but was not “offered medical treatment or assistance by cabin crew to dry her lap or ease her pain”.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“As a result of the incident, the applicant suffered burns to her hip, thigh and buttocks as well as psychological injury,” the statement of claim read.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Ms Plaister was unable to enjoy her 10-day booked and paid-for holiday in Honolulu due to her symptoms and the restrictions arising from the injuries she sustained.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She is claiming an unspecified amount of damages from the airline under the Montreal Convention, which is the global treaty that governs the liability of airlines to passengers on international flights.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hawaiian Airlines revealed their thoughts in a statement to </span><a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/australian-woman-sues-hawaiian-airlines-after-scalding-hot-tea-lands-in-her-lap/news-story/67afe2ae480de4c0c9b608f4d05fdb04"><span style="font-weight: 400;">news.com.au</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, saying that they’re “disappointed” the matter has gone to court. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We won’t be commenting on specifics as this matter is in legal process. This was an unfortunate incident which we have investigated internally,” the airline said in a statement.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We were disappointed to learn of this court case as we are satisfied that appropriate procedures were followed on board. We also continually review our safety procedures against international airline industry standards to ensure the in-flight safety of our passengers.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Travel law solicitor Sean Sweeny, from Shine Lawyers, has said that these kinds of incidents are becoming more common.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He told </span><a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/australian-woman-sues-hawaiian-airlines-after-scalding-hot-tea-lands-in-her-lap/news-story/67afe2ae480de4c0c9b608f4d05fdb04"><span style="font-weight: 400;">news.com.au</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">: </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We are receiving a rising number of inquiries from travellers with scalding injuries, which is a genuine problem in the airline industry,” Mr Sweeney explained. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Airline carriers are required to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their passengers on board and should be taking proactive steps to stop burns being sustained in flight.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We welcome discussion by airlines around steps which might be taken to further protect the safety of those on board.”</span></p>
