- An American Airlines passenger is suing the company after a flight attendant accidentally spilled hot coffee on his arm during a flight to New York
- George Latorre claims he has “second degree (burns) on his upper left arm; blistering; peeling, bleeding; possible permanent cosmetic disfigurement and scarring,’
An American Airlines passenger is suing the company after a flight attendant accidentally spilled hot coffee on his arm during a flight from Vietnam to New York.
George Latorre filed suit against the Dallas-based carrier, alleging that the attendant spilled scalding hot coffee on his left arm, resulting in “second-degree (burns) to his upper left arm; blistering; peeling, bleeding; possible permanent cosmetic disfigurement and scarring,” according to the complaint filed last Thursday in Manhattan District Court.
The Pennsylvania native was sitting in seat 33J next to his son on the flight home when coffee was served.
George Latorre filed suit against the Dallas-based carrier, claiming the attendant spilled scalding hot coffee on his left arm
The passenger claims he has “second degree (burns) to his upper left arm; blistering; peeling, bleeding; possible permanent cosmetic disfigurement and scarring,’
The passenger’s complaint states that the attendant “was careless, reckless and negligent in serving the plaintiff scalding hot coffee in an unsafe manner.”
The lawsuit also alleges that the airline allegedly failed to “hire and retain competent personnel and associates.”
In addition to “extreme pain and suffering,” Latorre claims he endured “emotional damage, mental anguish and anguish.”
Latorre claims that after the spill he tried to buy a business seat for the rest of the flight, but was denied by the crew.
Upon landing, he saw a doctor who told him the injury was “severe enough” to require consultation with a surgeon.
He also claims to have experienced “loss of sleep” due to the pain, which the lawsuit says will necessitate further medical treatment.
The lawsuit also states that the airline allegedly failed to “hire and retain competent personnel and associates.”
The incident is reminiscent of the famous 1994 multi-million dollar lawsuit filed by a 79-year-old woman, Stella Liebeck, who suffered third-degree burns after accidentally spilling coffee on her lap after drinking it at a local McDonald’s restaurant had bought.
A jury awarded Liebeck damages of about $3 million, but a judge later reduced the amount.
The two sides eventually agreed to an undisclosed settlement.
A spokesperson for American Airlines told DailyMail.com that the company does not comment on pending legal matters.