Delta Air Lines Confronts New Lawsuit for In-Flight Injury
Delta Air Lines is facing another lawsuit after a passenger alleged severe spinal injuries caused by a beverage cart incident during a flight. The occurrence took place on a flight from Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) in November 2022. The incident has sparked concerns about the safety of in-flight cart operations with multiple lawsuits emerging against the airline.
Details of the Incident
Christopher Harris, from New York and a former construction business owner, filed a lawsuit in a Michigan district court. Harris claims that two flight attendants operated a beverage cart carelessly aboard a Delta Boeing 737 on November 16, 2022, striking his leg while seated in an aisle seat.
The impact reportedly caused Harris instant pain, swelling, and numbness in his leg. After being transported in a wheelchair at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), medical assessments identified spinal disc protrusions and nerve impingement. His orthopedic specialist concluded that surgery would not enhance his condition, necessitating long-term pain management and rehabilitation.
The lawsuit alleges negligence, accusing an attendant of moving the cart backward without clear visibility and neglecting to warn passengers, resulting in Harris’s permanent injuries and the consequent closure of his business.
Pattern of Beverage Cart Incidents
This case joins a series of incidents involving Delta. In less than a year, Delta Air Lines has faced at least three lawsuits concerning beverage cart injuries.
- In August 2022, Gail Hamilton of Florida filed a lawsuit for a shoulder injury during a flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), which ended in a settlement by April 2024.
- In June 2023, Gerald Goldstein alleged severe knee injuries on a Delta flight from Florida to Rome Fiumicino International Airport (FCO), resulting in a confidential settlement.
These legal actions reflect an increasing trend of passengers seeking claims against airlines for cart-related injuries, despite being perceived as routine by the industry.
The Montreal Convention and Airline Responsibility
International cases like those of Hamilton and Goldstein are guided by the Montreal Convention, which holds airlines accountable for injuries on international flights. However, airlines frequently argue passenger negligence caused or contributed to such incidents. Often, airlines, including Delta, opt for private settlements, preventing the establishment of clear legal precedents on airline liability for beverage cart injuries.
Implications for Airline Protocols
Harris’s lawsuit could influence the debate about enacting more rigorous safety measures for beverage cart procedures. Although cabin crew manage restricted aisle space and mobility, the recurrent injury cases suggest potential gaps in passenger safety. Whether through legal developments or airline policy adjustments, these incidents might compel airlines to reevaluate cart operation protocols and passenger warnings.
