An 
American Airlines
passenger has sued the airline after a coffee pot had fallen on her lap, causing severe burns to the area on a flight in February.
Flying through turbulence
According to a report by The Independent, the passenger, a 68-year-old woman, was flying on an American Airlines flight in February.
The woman was flying home from Baltimore, Maryland, the United States
, to Detroit, Michigan, the US.
Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock
The lawsuit stated that the captain had asked passengers to fasten their seat belts during the flight, warning about potential turbulence
up ahead.
Still, the filing alleged that as the flight attendants were giving out beverages and snacks throughout the cabin, turbulence began, with one cabin crew member parking their trolley near the plaintiff’s seat.
“During the turbulence, the beverage cart was shaking which resulted in the hot coffee pot that was left on top of the cart to fall off into [the plaintiff’s – ed. note] lap, causing her to sustain severe 1st and 2nd degree burns over her legs, thighs, and genital area.”
Compensating for damages
According to a report by Business Insider, the plaintiff has sought damages “in excess of $75,000,” noting that in addition to the burns, the incident has caused the woman anxiety and depression.
American Airlines should be found guilty of not using due care and caution when securing the beverage cart on the flight, with the lawsuit adding that the cabin crew member acted in a negligent manner by failing to remove or properly secure the cart during a period of turbulence.
Photo: Catharine Pierce | Shutterstock
While the filing requested compensation in excess of $75,000, the final damages should be determined by the judge, according to the lawsuit. If the judge rules in favor of the plaintiff, American Airlines would also have to reimburse legal and medical expenses.
In a statement to Simple Flying, an American Airlines spokesperson said the following:
“We’re reviewing the lawsuit and the details of the flight.”
From Baltimore to Detroit
To note, while the lawsuit said that the plaintiff was flying between Baltimore and Detroit, American Airlines has had no direct flights between Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) in 2024, according to the aviation analytics company Cirium.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
The only airport within the vicinity of Baltimore from where American Airlines flies to DTW is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
, with the airline scheduling 19 weekly flights that were operated by PSA Airlines
in February.
The flights were operated with a Mitsubishi CRJ700
, Cirium data showed, with the schedule remaining identical for the whole year except during the summer when American Airlines had reduced the weekly departures on the route to 18.