Hot Tea! Passenger Sues JetBlue For $1.5M Claiming Hot Water Scalded Her

A passenger is suing JetBlue for $1.5 million, alleging she was left with “disfiguring burns” after “dangerously” hot tea water spilled on her during in-flight beverage service amid turbulence, according to the lawsuit. Tahjana Lewis, who was onboard JetBlue flight 2237 from Orlando to Hartford, Connecticut, with her family on May 15, is suing the airline for damages for personal injuries. Lewis’ complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut on Friday alleges JetBlue was “careless” and failed to provide her with “reasonably safe traveling conditions.”

During the flight, the plane encountered turbulence, prompting the fasten seatbelt sign to turn on. The flight crew was performing the in-flight beverage service during that time.  A crew member was serving the passenger behind Lewis a cup of tea when the crew member spilled the hot beverage onto Lewis, giving her second- and third-degree burns on her chest, legs, right arm and backside, according to the complaint. The complaint alleges that crew members served water at an “unreasonably” hot temperature during a time when “ongoing turbulence” made it unsafe to perform beverage service. Lewis also claims crew members did not “administer first aid” but told her to get medical help when they landed.

Source: USA Today