Friday, September 20, 2024 Aviation attorney Mark Lindquist has initiated legal action against Delta Air Lines on behalf of a victim who sustained severe burns from scalding coffee spilled during a flight. The incident occurred on December 15, 2023, as the victim was traveling from Paris to Seattle. While enjoying a movie, a flight attendant inadvertently placed an excessively hot coffee on a tilted food tray, causing it to slide and spill onto the victim’s lap.
The victim, who works as a flight attendant for another airline, promptly reported her injuries to Delta’s crew and requested medical assistance. However, according to court documents, Delta’s flight attendants were dismissive, merely advising her to “just go change.” Despite her repeated requests, including a plea to a flight attendant in the lavatory to assess the severity of her burns, the victim initially received only a pain reliever and a bandage.
She also requested that the crew locate a doctor on board. Delta’s captain and crew failed to make the standard announcement asking if any passengers were medical professionals who could assist, nor did they contact a medical provider, such as MedAire, for guidance on treating her injuries. Upon landing at SeaTac Airport, paramedics evaluated the victim’s burns and were reportedly shocked by their severity, describing them as the worst they had ever encountered from a coffee spill, according to the lawsuit.
This case raises important questions about in-flight safety protocols and the responsibility of airline personnel in responding to medical emergencies. “You’ve got to get to a hospital,” a paramedic said. An emergency room doctor expressed disbelief that scalding hot coffee, which could inflict such serious burns, was served on an airplane.
The victim suffered blistering burns on her hip, side, and abdomen. Lindquist’s lawsuit claims violations of the Montreal Convention and negligence, asserting that Delta’s flight attendant served coffee at dangerously high temperatures exceeding industry standards. The suit further contends that Delta’s crew did not provide timely and adequate medical assistance, exacerbating the victim’s injuries.
“Common sense tells you an airplane is the wrong place to serve burning hot coffee,” said Lindquist. Due to her severe burns and the accompanying pain, the victim was unable to shower or wear her usual clothing for several months. Everyday activities like driving, sitting, and even sleeping became difficult.
Doctors prescribed opiates to help manage her intense pain, but these medications left her feeling groggy and impaired her ability to function fully. Although she has since recovered and returned to work as a flight attendant, the burns have left her with permanent scars..
