Goodwin v. British Airways PLC
U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts
Plaintiff brought an action against British Airways PLC for personal injuries sustained during an international flight operated by the defendant on a ticket issued in the United States. On April 17, 2008, after traveling from London Heathrow to Paris deGaulle Airport, the plaintiff fell and fractured her ankle while she was disembarking from the airplane. As a result of her fall, plaintiff required multiple surgeries and other on-going medical care. Plaintiff contends that defendant’s employees, including its cabin and cockpit crew, failed to take all necessary precautions to prevent the accident that resulted in an injury that rendered her unable to engage in her usual work and activities. Defendant contends that plaintiff’s injury resulted from her own carelessness or negligence in not keeping a careful watch out for where she was going. Also at issue is whether plaintiff actually suffered an “accident” as that term is defined under the Warsaw and Montreal Conventions.
