Melissa Phillips Sues British Airways Over Heathrow Injury
Melissa Phillips is suing British Airways for over £50,000 after suffering leg fractures during a chaotic disembarkation at Heathrow Airport.
Maryland resident Melissa Phillips is seeking more than £50,000 in the High Court after breaking her leg while disembarking a British Airways flight from Israel at Heathrow Airport on March 21, 2023. Phillips suffered spiral fractures to her left fibula and tibia, which required surgery and left her with permanent symptoms and psychological distress.
Legal representatives for Phillips allege the airline was negligent, describing the disembarkation process as chaotic. They claim Phillips was knocked off balance on damp, overcrowded steps where crowd control was minimal. British Airways denies liability, arguing that Phillips failed to hold the handrail and did not pay sufficient attention to her footing. The airline further denies that the steps were damp or that the disembarkation process was unusual.
While British Airways has offered £6,987 to cover medical expenses, it continues to contest the broader claim. The case follows a 2024 ruling by a Maryland district court, which dismissed the lawsuit based on a lack of jurisdiction.
