An air stewardess is taking legal action against British Airways (BA) seeking £72,500 in damages following a turbulent flight that resulted in severe injuries. Laura Lanigan, 56, alleges that the pilot flew too close to a storm, causing her significant pain and injuries while crewing a BA Boeing 777 aircraft.
During the flight’s approach for landing in Mumbai, India, in June 2019, Lanigan, a long-time BA employee, suffered a fractured knee and dislocated shoulder due to sudden and intense turbulence. The aircraft experienced a sharp drop, propelling Lanigan into the air before crashing back to the galley floor, where an unsecured drinks canister struck her.
According to Lanigan, the pilot’s decision to navigate near a cumulonimbus cloud, a type of large storm cloud, was reckless and violated safety protocols that dictate staying at least 20 miles away from such weather systems. BA’s legal team disputes her claims, arguing that there was no visual or radar evidence of an imminent storm cloud.
During the court proceedings, Lanigan described the flight’s turbulence as the most severe she had encountered in her decades-long career. Her lawyer asserted that the pilot’s failure to avoid the storm cloud directly led to Lanigan’s injuries. However, BA’s defense maintains that the pilot acted appropriately based on available weather information and that the turbulence was a singular event.
The trial remains ongoing, with both sides presenting conflicting narratives regarding the circumstances surrounding Lanigan’s injuries.
