News: Airlines can't be sued by DVT victims

Flights > News > # 672 (13/12/2005)

Victims of deep vein thrombosis have lost an appeal for the right to claim compensation from airlines.

The House of Lords ruled against eight DVT victims and their families, who have been fighting for four years to be allowed to sue several airlines.

The victims claim the potentially fatal blood clots are caused by cramped conditions on flights.

The airlines argue they are only liable for "accidents" and that DVT does not fall into this category.

The Lords declared that since there was nothing unusual in the course of the flights, "the situation does not fall within any ordinary or extended conception of 'accident'."