Family Sues Qatar Airways After Passenger Dies from Choking
UPDATE: Qatar Airways faces a lawsuit following the tragic death of passenger Asoka Jayaweera, who reportedly choked during a flight from Los Angeles to Doha in August 2023. The lawsuit, filed by his son, Surya Jayaweera, claims negligence on the part of the airline, raising urgent questions about passenger safety.
According to the legal complaint, Jayaweera began choking approximately two and a half hours into the 15-hour flight when meal service commenced. As a strict vegetarian, he was allegedly offered a non-vegetarian meal after being informed there were no vegetarian options available. The complaint states that he was advised to “eat around” the meat, leading to the choking incident.
Despite the crew administering medical assistance, the lawsuit claims that the flight did not divert to Edinburgh until eight hours after the choking began, leaving Jayaweera without timely medical care. Reports indicate that he lost consciousness five hours into the ordeal and was taken to the hospital upon landing, where he tragically died the next day from aspiration pneumonia, a serious condition that can result from inhaling food.
Surya Jayaweera is suing Qatar Airways under the Montreal Convention, which holds airlines liable for passenger deaths on international flights. The suit demands damages exceeding $175,000, the maximum liability limit stipulated by the treaty, questioning the airline’s failure to divert the flight promptly.
This lawsuit raises critical concerns about airline safety protocols and the treatment of passengers in distress. Qatar Airways has yet to respond to requests for comment on the ongoing legal situation.
As this case develops, the implications for airline liability and passenger safety standards will be closely monitored. Further updates are anticipated as the lawsuit progresses through the California court system.
