He allegedly suffered a brain injury after slipping on Baileys.
A passenger has sued British Airways after he slipped on a puddle of Baileys Irish Cream liqueur at Heathrow.
Andreas Wuchner claims he was travelling from London Heathrow to Zurich when he stepped on some spilled Baileys on the floor near the check-in counters.
It is unclear how the alcohol ended up on the floor, but he has accused BA of failing to clean it up.
The accident in 2017 was catastrophic for Andreas, who says he suffers severe headaches that can last two weeks at a time, the Drinks Business reports.
As a result of a ‘traumatic brain injury,’ Andreas struggles to concentrate.
He was unable to run the office supply business he owned or work again, his lawyers claim.
Andreas was previously awarded £130,000 in compensation, but his legal team warned in 2021 he would seek further ‘special damages,’ Live and Let’s Fly reports.
Now the former business owner is taking BA to court for £5,000,000 in damages.
The airline rejected the amount, saying that the Montreal Convention limits its maximum liability, the industry publication reports.
British Airways has also asked the judge to consider whether the check-in counters, where the man slipped, are under its liability.
Tom Bird, barrister for BA, said there are ‘significant factual disputes between the parties.’
It includes the circumstances of the accident and the ‘nature and extent of the claimant’s injuries on his employment prospects and the reasons for the insolvency of his company, as well as the company’s past and future performance.’
‘These issues will need to be explored in cross-examination in some detail, particularly given the sizeable damages being claimed,’ he added.
The trial is expected to take place in the Central London County Court over for days, with testimony from surgeons, pain management experts and forensic accountants.
British Airways was contacted for a comment.
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