Public Evidence of AEROTOXIC POISONING:
Boeing 767 Flight number XLA 120 Aerotoxic Poisoning
03 May 2010
The Stewarts Law Attorney Group represents 20 British passengers who were seriously injured by aircraft toxic fumes exposure on 1 February 2007. The incident occurred when they were flying on board an XL Airways Boeing 767 from London Gatwick to Sanford International, Florida.
The dangerous toxins were released into the cabin through the bleed air system which (as on most airliners) draws high pressure air from the core of the engines to pressurise the aircraft with breathable air. It has long been known that this design can result in the cabin air becoming contaminated with toxic oil vapour when the engine oil seals leak.
The toxins were detected by passengers as they began to notice an odd smell similar to ‘smelly socks’. The cabin seemed more ‘stuffy’ and ‘hot’ than any previous flight they had been on and the air severely irritated their eyes, nose and throat. The passengers quickly became ill, suffering respiratory symptoms, severe headaches, vomiting, bowel problems, skin blistering and extreme fatigue. The toxic air has also caused long term chronic effects such as respiratory problems, memory loss, sleep disturbance, chronic fatigue, mood swings, cognitive difficulties, infections, and joint/limb pains.
In order to put pressure on the US manufacturers to deal with these known cabin air problems and to obtain fair compensation for the passengers, on 29 January 2009 specialist litigation firm Stewarts Law filed the case in Illinois, the state where Boeing has its Headquarters. In addition to Boeing, the case was filed against Hamilton Sundstrand (which manufactures air system components), United Technologies (which manufactures the Pratt & Whitney engines) and the owners of the aircraft – AAR Parts Trading Inc.
This is an outright US product liability case against US defendants. However, the defendants were intent on having the case sent back to the UK courts (which are much more expensive for claimants and award much lower compensation) so they filed a forum non conveniens motion arguing that the UK is the most convenient place for the litigation.
After prolonged legal battle, on 3 May 2010 Judge Quinn decided in favour of the passengers and dismissed the defendants’ forum non conveniens motion. Stewarts Law has achieved a great victory for the passengers. Securing US jurisdiction along with the prospect of a high profile jury trial is a wake up call for US manufacturers – unless they take measures to improve the quality of cabin air now, they will face the credible prospect of expensive and public US litigation for future incidents where there is an identifiable toxic fumes leak that causes injury.
Click here if as a professional aircrew or passenger you require legal assistance for Aerotoxic Poisoning from Stewart’s Law Attorney Group. The Aerotoxic Association is publishing this evidence as a matter of public interest, not for profit.
Click here to hear a lawyer talking about the ‘Highest duty of care to air passengers’ in connection with airliners carrying passengers.
Prominent lawyer Thomas Demetrio lambastes United Airlines – as well as all airlines and big corporations in general – for their bully culture in this outstanding speech at a press conference.
About airlines, he says: “They have the highest duty of care to provide protection and safety to its fair paying passengers. That was not done.” and “For a long time, airlines – United in general – have bullied us. They have treated us less than we deserve.”
Demetrio then describes what we should expect from airlines. “Here’s what we want as a society: We want fairness in how people treat us. We want respect. And we want dignity. That’s it! It’s not a big deal. This seems so simple. Forget the law for a minute that requires common decency and treatment of passengers. Just treat us with respect like your really care.”
This is the kind of speech that movements are made from.
The above is a ten-minute clip. Click here for the full hour-length speech. (FYI: this video has been removed)
Boeing 767 Flight number XLA 120 Aerotoxic Poisoning
03 May 2010
The Stewarts Law Attorney Group represents 20 British passengers who were seriously injured by aircraft toxic fumes exposure on 1 February 2007. The incident occurred when they were flying on board an XL Airways Boeing 767 from London Gatwick to Sanford International, Florida.
The dangerous toxins were released into the cabin through the bleed air system which (as on most airliners) draws high pressure air from the core of the engines to pressurise the aircraft with breathable air. It has long been known that this design can result in the cabin air becoming contaminated with toxic oil vapour when the engine oil seals leak.
The toxins were detected by passengers as they began to notice an odd smell similar to ‘smelly socks’. The cabin seemed more ‘stuffy’ and ‘hot’ than any previous flight they had been on and the air severely irritated their eyes, nose and throat. The passengers quickly became ill, suffering respiratory symptoms, severe headaches, vomiting, bowel problems, skin blistering and extreme fatigue. The toxic air has also caused long term chronic effects such as respiratory problems, memory loss, sleep disturbance, chronic fatigue, mood swings, cognitive difficulties, infections, and joint/limb pains.
In order to put pressure on the US manufacturers to deal with these known cabin air problems and to obtain fair compensation for the passengers, on 29 January 2009 specialist litigation firm Stewarts Law filed the case in Illinois, the state where Boeing has its Headquarters. In addition to Boeing, the case was filed against Hamilton Sundstrand (which manufactures air system components), United Technologies (which manufactures the Pratt & Whitney engines) and the owners of the aircraft – AAR Parts Trading Inc.
This is an outright US product liability case against US defendants. However, the defendants were intent on having the case sent back to the UK courts (which are much more expensive for claimants and award much lower compensation) so they filed a forum non conveniens motion arguing that the UK is the most convenient place for the litigation.
After prolonged legal battle, on 3 May 2010 Judge Quinn decided in favour of the passengers and dismissed the defendants’ forum non conveniens motion. Stewarts Law has achieved a great victory for the passengers. Securing US jurisdiction along with the prospect of a high profile jury trial is a wake up call for US manufacturers – unless they take measures to improve the quality of cabin air now, they will face the credible prospect of expensive and public US litigation for future incidents where there is an identifiable toxic fumes leak that causes injury.
Click here if as a professional aircrew or passenger you require legal assistance for Aerotoxic Poisoning from Stewart’s Law Attorney Group. The Aerotoxic Association is publishing this evidence as a matter of public interest, not for profit.
Click here to hear a lawyer talking about the ‘Highest duty of care to air passengers’ in connection with airliners carrying passengers.
Prominent lawyer Thomas Demetrio lambastes United Airlines – as well as all airlines and big corporations in general – for their bully culture in this outstanding speech at a press conference.
About airlines, he says: “They have the highest duty of care to provide protection and safety to its fair paying passengers. That was not done.” and “For a long time, airlines – United in general – have bullied us. They have treated us less than we deserve.”
Demetrio then describes what we should expect from airlines. “Here’s what we want as a society: We want fairness in how people treat us. We want respect. And we want dignity. That’s it! It’s not a big deal. This seems so simple. Forget the law for a minute that requires common decency and treatment of passengers. Just treat us with respect like your really care.”
This is the kind of speech that movements are made from.
The above is a ten-minute clip. Click here for the full hour-length speech. (FYI: this video has been removed)
