An attendant gave her Kit Kit despite knowing about her allergies.
A mom has filed a lawsuit against Qatar Airways for allegedly giving her three-year-old daughter a chocolate bar despite knowing her allergies. According to the lawsuit, the crew also mocked the mom and caused an allergic reaction that led to the child’s hospitalization. The case follows another lawsuit involving the airline and a vegetarian passenger who allegedly died after choking on meat from an in-flight meal.
Related: Vegetarian Passenger Dies on Flight After Being Served Meat Dish, Says Lawsuit
The lawsuit was filed Oct. 31 in federal court in Virginia. It states that North Carolina resident Swetha Neerukonda was flying with her daughter on April 9 from Washington Dulles Airport to India, with a stop in Doha. Upon boarding, Neerukonda informed the crew that her daughter was allergic to dairy and nuts, which they acknowledged. During the 14-hour flight, Neerukonda got up to use the lavatory and asked a flight attendant to keep an eye on her daughter, warning again about the allergies. When she returned, she saw the flight attendant feeding her daughter a Kit Kat. The mom confronted her, and the attendant allegedly mocked her.
Neerukonda’s attorney Abram Bohrer told The Independent that it was a very serious, life-threatening situation. “It’s inconceivable–they take it upon themselves to give the child the allergen?”
Soon after, the little girl experienced anaphylaxis, the complaint alleges. She required an EpiPen, which her mom administered, while the crew did not intervene. “Moreover, when [Neerukonda] sought to share information with a fellow passenger whom she believed to be a witness, a… flight attendant intervened, claiming that was in violation of the airline’s policy,” it adds.
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The girl’s condition stabilized, and she safely made it to Doha, where they caught their connecting flight. However, she suffered another reaction after arriving in India and was rushed to a hospital, where she received emergency care.
According to the lawsuit, the girl “suffered great pain, agony and mental anguish,” and the mom is demanding $5 million in damages, a court trial, and coverage of court and legal fees.
Qatar Airways has an allergy policy for passengers with mild or severe allergies. On its website, the carrier states that it tries to accommodate passengers with allergies but cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment. It further notes that those with allergies must be responsible for their own medication and may need to sign a waiver or medical information form. Passengers can bring their own meals on board, but these can’t be refrigerated or heated in flight.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Taking Your Medication or Medical Devices Through Airport Security
Medical emergencies occur on one in every 604 commercial flights, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For 90% of medical emergencies, the aircraft continues to its destination; diversions usually happen in cases of cardiac arrest, stroke, or obstetric or gynecologic issues.
The Federal Aviation Administration requires airlines to carry first-aid and emergency medical kits on board, including epinephrine, nitroglycerin, syringes, and needles. EpiPens, however, are not on the required minimum list. Epinephrine treats anaphylaxis but should be administered by a medical professional.
Related: When Flying, Why Don’t You Ever Hear ‘Is There a Doctor on Board’?
