A nurse, Denise Elliott, aged 63, received severe burns while on a Ryanair flight to Majorca from Bournemouth. She was given a coffee cup without a lid and when she placed it on the tray table, the coffee spilled onto her thighs. Denise criticized the tray table, claiming it was not suitable for holding items securely. This incident reflects a growing issue of travelers suffering injuries due to inadequate tray tables on airplanes.
Denise expressed disappointment in the response from Ryanair staff, stating that they lacked proper first aid training and provided ineffective treatment for her burns. Despite requesting a towel or absorbent material, she had to perform her own first aid with limited resources onboard. Her claim under the Montreal Convention was handled by Hudgell Solicitors, resulting in a £4,350 settlement from Ryanair.
Denise emphasized that her pursuit of the claim was not about money but rather Ryanair’s lack of urgency and accountability. She commended Hudgell Solicitors for their assistance but expressed doubt that Ryanair would implement necessary changes. Tracy Stansfield, a senior associate solicitor at Hudgell Solicitors, highlighted the need for airlines to address safety concerns, particularly regarding tray tables causing in-flight burns.
Ryanair has been contacted for further comments on the matter. If you have a similar experience to share, you can reach out via email at julia.banim@reachplc.com.