A nurse faced severe burns on a Ryanair flight and has received a £4,350 out-of-court settlement, calling it a surprising outcome. Denise Elliott, 63, was on a trip to Majorca when she was given a coffee cup without a lid, which she criticized as unsuitable. She believes the incident occurred due to the inadequate design of the tray table, a common issue causing injuries among holidaymakers.
Denise stated that despite her claims of the missing lid being dismissed by Ryanair, witnesses heard the steward acknowledge the shortage. The spilled coffee caused burns on her thighs, which she had to attend to herself as the onboard staff lacked proper first aid supplies. Ryanair initially denied responsibility but eventually settled the claim under the Montreal Convention, managing to avoid a trial.
Expressing dissatisfaction with Ryanair’s handling of the situation, Denise emphasized the importance of addressing such safety issues promptly. Hudgell Solicitors, who represented her in the case, highlighted the need for airlines to address hazards like sloping tray tables to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Tracy Stansfield, a senior associate solicitor at Hudgell Solicitors, emphasized the importance of holding airlines accountable for passenger safety. The growing trend of in-flight burns due to design flaws like unstable tray tables underscores the urgency for airlines like Ryanair to address these concerns promptly.
Ryanair has been approached for additional comments on the matter. If you have a similar experience to share, reach out to julia.banim@reachplc.com.