Qantas sued by couple from Sri Lanka

A couple from Sri Lanka is suing Qantas over serious injuries they claim they suffered last month when their plane plunged suddenly in mid-flight.

Sam and Rani Samaratunga have hired the Shine Lawyers of Melbourne to represent them in legal action initiated to secure compensation for medical expenses, according to a report in The Age.

The couple, visiting Melbourne for the wedding of their son, suffered head and spinal injuries on 7 October, when they were thrown from their seats during the incident on Qantas flight from Melbourne to Singapore.

The pilot of the Qantas flight was forced into an emergency landing at Learmonth airbase in the far north-west of Western Australia, and 44 of the passengers on the flight required hospital treatment as a result of the incident.

Roger Singh, a partner with Shine Lawyers, said that the Sri Lankan couple suffered serious psychological as well as physical injuries.

He told The Age: “Mrs Samaratunga suffered spinal fractures which have turned what should have been a joyous trip to Australia to see her son get married into a painful nightmare.”

The Samaratungas are expected to fly home from Melbourne on Sunday.

Qantas offered a goodwill package to all passengers on QF72, which includes return airfares and $300 to pay for out-of-pocket expenses. The couple’s lawyer said that the compensation offered was inadequate when the pain and suffering by the Samaratungas was considered.

Thanks to www.travelmole.com for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

www.qantas.com.au