Germany’s flagship Lufthansa Airlines has offered $500 in compensation to a Canadian tourist who suffered second-degree burns after spilling coffee on board the airliner. However, his family was dissatisfied with the amount and the lack of an official apology and filed a lawsuit.
The incident occurred during a flight from Frankfurt Airport (Germany) to Budapest (Hungary) back in July, but the conflict is still not over, Simple Flying reported.
According to 19-year-old Jack Hayden, it was one of his first flights by plane, which, unfortunately, remained in his memory as an unsuccessful experience. The fact is that during the flight, the flight attendant accidentally spilled a hot drink, which got on the lower part of the body. “Coffee and tea were offered before boarding, and the flight attendant placed the coffee cup at such an angle that the hot drink spilled directly onto the right side of the lower body,” the report said.
After the incident, the flight attendant only expressed surprise and continued to serve other passengers without assisting the young man. The Canadian felt pain and discomfort throughout the flight due to burns. After arriving in Budapest, he consulted a pharmacist, who confirmed second-degree burns and prescribed ointments. Hayden’s family contacted the airline but received a response that the passenger did not file a complaint on board and they are awaiting a comment from the crew.
As compensation, Lufthansa offered $500, considering this amount to be the maximum possible, since the passenger did not provide appropriate medical documents. “We would like to inform you that your son did not file an injury claim on board the plane and we are still waiting to hear back from the crew if they can recall the incident,” the victim’s family received from the carrier in September. Hayden and his family were unhappy with the airline’s response, demanding responsibility and an apology.