US Woman Files $5M Lawsuit Against EgyptAir Over Scalding Beverage Incident

Photo : AFP

A New York woman has taken legal action against EgyptAir, seeking $5 million in damages after a scalding beverage spilled on her during a flight from John F. Kennedy Airport to Cairo. The lawsuit, filed in Brooklyn federal court, claims that the incident occurred in February this year when 35-year-old Esraa Hezain was reportedly burned by a hot beverage kept in a lidless cup. According to the suit, the cup of tea was placed on a “defective” seat tray, and when the flight encountered significant turbulence, the beverage splashed onto Hezain, causing second-degree burns.

Hezain’s attorney, Abram Bohrer, shared that his client sustained burns on her lower abdomen, right inner thigh, and buttocks. Bohrer criticized the airline’s lack of precaution, stating, "For the price of a lid this didn’t have to happen." He further alleged that EgyptAir’s flight crew failed to halt beverage service or provide a warning about the turbulence that ultimately led to the incident.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel 

The lawsuit details how the turbulence caused the beverage to spill, attributing the accident to negligence on the part of EgyptAir. The suit argues that the crew could have anticipated the danger and acted to prevent injury by either pausing service or issuing a warning.

As of the latest reports, EgyptAir has not commented on the incident or responded publicly to the lawsuit.

This case draws parallels to a high-profile 2019 incident involving a four-year-old girl who suffered burns from a hot Chicken McNugget at a McDonald's in Florida. In that case, Philana Holmes had purchased Happy Meals for her children at a Tamarac McDonald's. After handing the food to her kids in the back seat of the car, her daughter, Olivia Caraballo, screamed after a hot nugget burned her thigh. Holmes later pursued legal action, and after a lengthy court battle, a jury awarded $800,000 in damages in 2023. The family had originally sought $15 million, but Holmes expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting that she was grateful the jury acknowledged her daughter’s experience.

Both cases highlight the need for careful handling of hot items by service providers and have brought attention to consumer safety in both airline and food service industries.