Australian sues Etihad over obese passenger

[third eye]

What a loser ! How is the airline responsible for an obese co passenger ?

Australian sues Etihad over obese passenger - BBC News

An Australian plane passenger, who claims he suffered back pain after being seated next to an overweight man, is suing Etihad Airways.

James Bassos says he had to contort his body to avoid contact with his fellow passenger during a 14-hour flight from the United Arab Emirates to Sydney.

He said the journey resulted in a back injury and is claiming $227,000 (£106,000) in damages.

Etihad insisted it would continue to oppose the case.

"Mr Bassos will finally face a medical assessment in December 2015," the company said in a statement.

"We believe that the matter will proceed to an early conclusion."

Pain and discomfort
Etihad had attempted to get the lawsuit, which was filed in 2012, thrown out of court.

But a judge refused its request on Thursday and ordered Mr Bassos to undergo a medical assessment.

The 38-year-old designer from Brisbane claimed he had to twist his body to avoid touching the "grossly overweight" passenger, who was encroaching on his seat.

After five hours of pain and discomfort, he asked to be moved, but was told the flight was full, he said.

He was eventually allowed to sit in a crew seat at the back of the aircraft, but had to return to his original spot for landing.

Etihad said it was common for customers to be seated next to overweight passengers on a fully booked flight.

Mr Bassos claims he still suffers back pain and his sleep and concentration have been adversely affected.

He is suing for medical expenses and loss of earnings.

 

[Hack-Hook]

Nonsense the guy could buy business class ticket instead of economy class.and save himself lots of trouble. Anybody who buy economy class knew what he will get.

 

[Viny]

Eithad didnt encroach his space, its the obese passenger. Settle the matter with him.
If he was so uncomfortable, he should have raised the issue before the flight took off.

I think Eithad Cabin crew did there best to accommodate him in best available options.

 

[Arya Desa]

Stop being obese then.

 

[JonAsad]

i dont know which medical assessment can detect back pain - if there is a test i will bloody sue my doctor-

 

[Djinn]

i dont know which medical assessment can detect back pain - if there is a test i will bloody sue my doctor-

They can spot an injury. If i were in his shoes or in this case, his seat i would complain too. Last year i was in a plane, going to Skardu, there was this woman with two extra annoying whiny brats one of them kept kicking the back of my seat i had to tell the flight attendant to make them stop.

 

[opruh]

Fat people need to workout.

 

[Koovie]

Stop being obese then.

He wasnt obese, the guy sitting next to him was

 

[Indus Falcon]

On a serious note, obese people should be given window seats, (or other more accommodating seats) so that they do not infringe upon the other person. But, that would be asking for too much, wouldn't it?

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

This happens in all international flights UNCLE in front decides to LOWER the chair all the way to your crotch and you can smell his Chambaili ka tail in hair

 

[Styx]

Stop being obese then.

Fat people need to workout.

This happens in all international flights UNCLE in front decides to LOWER the chair all the way to your crotch and you can smell his Chambaili ka tail in hair

 

[Koovie]

On a serious note, obese people should be given window seats, (or other more accommodating seats) so that they do not infringe upon the other person. But, that would be asking for too much, wouldn't it?

Yes, cause I love sitting next to windows!