BA facing lawsuit from passenger ‘injured’ by ‘fat’ neighbour
A businessman is suing British Airways for up to £10,000 in damages claiming he suffered injuries after sitting next to a 23-stone passenger on a long flight.
The 51-year-old says he suffered soft tissue damage that needed treatment for months after the 13-hour flight from Bangkok to London Heathrow in January 2016.
In a hearing due to be heard today at Pontypridd County Court, Stephen Prosser, from Rhondda, is set to make a claim for general damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity.
He said he was forced to continue to see a chiropractor up until May this year.
Mr Prosser, who is 5ft 2in, said his neighbour was ‘so large’ that his body fat ‘spilled’ into his seat by several inches.
Speaking to the Mail Online, he said: "He was a huge bloke, not just overweight but really big boned as well. He was a real lump."
Mr Prosser, a civil engineer, said he spoke to the in-flight customer service manager immediately after take-off and asked to be moved.
But as the flight was full, crew said they couldn’t help him.
He was offered extra pillows and blankets to support his back, which he accepted.
His lawyers claim their client was ‘forced to adjust his body and sit in an awkward and uncomfortable position’ for the whole 12 hour and 40 minute flight.
But British Airways refuted the claims, stating Mr Prosser ‘did not not display any signs of injury’ when leaving the plane.
BA said, before today’s hearing, that it would be inappropriate to comment as the case is subject to ongoing proceedings.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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