Jerek Nekjipour, a 31-year-old Connecticut man, has filed a federal lawsuit against EgyptAir, alleging he suffered serious physical and mental injuries during a flight from Cairo to New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport. According to Manhattan federal court filings, the incident occurred on August 17 aboard Flight 985 when a rolling bag fell from the overhead compartment above his assigned seat, striking him in the face.
The impact of the bag caused significant damage, including the loss of an upper incisor tooth and serious facial injuries. New York Post Informed. To complicate the situation, the cabin crew transferred Nekzipor to another seat, which was reportedly damaged and not secured to the floor. During the remaining 11.5 hours of the flight, Mr Nekzipour suffered neck and back injuries caused by the faulty seat.
Mr Nekzipour’s suit seeks unspecified damages from EgyptAir, citing pain, suffering and mental anguish. The incident has reportedly left him with permanent physical and emotional trauma. The lawsuit alleges that EgyptAir’s negligence and failure to ensure passenger safety resulted in Mr. Nekzipour’s injuries.
A similar incident occurred in July when an elderly woman on a London-bound Cathay Pacific flight was injured when a piece of luggage fell from an overhead compartment and hit her on the head. according to South China Morning PostThe incident occurred when the flight departed from Hong Kong International Airport for London Heathrow Airport. The woman received medical attention at the airport before being transferred to North Lantau Hospital for further treatment.
A Cathay Pacific spokesperson said: ”The injuries may have been caused by mishandling of luggage in the overhead storage compartment. Our cabin crew and ground staff immediately called for assistance, referred the passenger to the nearest hospital for further medical care, canceled the flight for the passenger and his/her family members, and accommodated the family members to an airport hotel. Made arrangements for accommodation.
Notably, airlines are generally liable for injuries sustained by passengers unless they can demonstrate that the injury was caused by the passenger’s own negligence.
