A boy has settled his High Court case against a prominent Irish airline for €70,000 after suffering alleged burns to his upper legs from spilled hot chocolate on a flight.

The boy, who was aged 12 at the time of the incident in August 2016, was suing the airline for damages through his father over the incident on the flight from France to Ireland.

Counsel for the boy told the High Court that the boy, who was sitting in a window seat beside his father, ordered a hot chocolate from a flight attendant roughly 40 minutes after take-off.

The flight attendant gave the boy his drink in a disposable cup with the lid attached, as well as some sachets of milk. The boy removed the lid to pour in his milk and then reattached the lid and took a drink.

However, as he took a sip, the hot chocolate spilled from the cup and landed on his lap, the upper right leg area in particular.

Counsel told the court that the boy suffered immediate pain and had to be brought to the plane toilet to remove his trousers and have cold water applied to his thigh. He also received first aid.

The flight’s pilot offered to find an alternative airport to perform an emergency landing but it was decided that because the flight was only an hour away from landing in Ireland, it could proceed as planned.

The boy was taken to hospital upon landing in Ireland, where it was found that he had suffered a partial thickness or deep dermal scald. He later made a full recovery.

The airline made the settlement offer of €70,000 without an admission of liability. The High Court judge approved the offer.

If you have suffered an injury for which you were not at fault, be sure to discuss the matter with your solicitor.

*In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.*

Contact us for more information

A boy has settled his High Court case against a prominent Irish airline for €70,000 after suffering alleged burns to his upper legs from spilled hot chocolate on a flight.

The boy, who was aged 12 at the time of the incident in August 2016, was suing the airline for damages through his father over the incident on the flight from France to Ireland.

Counsel for the boy told the High Court that the boy, who was sitting in a window seat beside his father, ordered a hot chocolate from a flight attendant roughly 40 minutes after take-off.

The flight attendant gave the boy his drink in a disposable cup with the lid attached, as well as some sachets of milk. The boy removed the lid to pour in his milk and then reattached the lid and took a drink.

However, as he took a sip, the hot chocolate spilled from the cup and landed on his lap, the upper right leg area in particular.

Counsel told the court that the boy suffered immediate pain and had to be brought to the plane toilet to remove his trousers and have cold water applied to his thigh. He also received first aid.

The flight’s pilot offered to find an alternative airport to perform an emergency landing but it was decided that because the flight was only an hour away from landing in Ireland, it could proceed as planned.

The boy was taken to hospital upon landing in Ireland, where it was found that he had suffered a partial thickness or deep dermal scald. He later made a full recovery.

The airline made the settlement offer of €70,000 without an admission of liability. The High Court judge approved the offer.

If you have suffered an injury for which you were not at fault, be sure to discuss the matter with your solicitor. In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.

Contact us for more information