Airlines face thrombosis lawsuit

Concern over lack of space is growing

An Australian law firm says it is considering legal action against some airlines over their failure to warn passengers about the risks of deep vein thrombosis, or economy class syndrome.

Slater & Gordon, renowned for its success in class actions against big business, is acting on behalf of 10 people in what is believed to be the first action of its kind.

The company says that it is seeking talks with a number of airlines, including British Airways, Qantas, Air France and Air New Zealand before deciding how to proceed.

Emma Christoffersen - died after long flight

Concern over deep-vein thrombosis grew when a 28-year-old British woman, Emma Christofferson, died in October after a 20-hour flight from Australia to Britain.

According to Paul Henderson, one of Slater & Gordon's lawyers, the company "may issue a number of class actions against the airlines or issue individual actions."

Growing number of claims

Mr Henderson claims that since reports of the action first emerged he has been contacted by more than 100 other potential litigants and that the action could be expanded to include other airlines.

The 10 passengers in the possible class action say they were not informed properly about the possibility of developing deep-vein thrombosis while on long flights.

This could potentially involve any airline running flights to and from Australia

Paul Henderson
Slater & Gordon lawyer

One claimant is 24 year-old Melbourne woman Rebecca Brown. She is to sue British Airways over the severe leg cramps she suffered on a flight to London three years ago.

Ms Brown says that the cramps turned out to be blood clots that spread to her lungs as soon as she left the flight, resulting in her being hospitalised.

Dangers of immobility

Deep vein thrombosis is commonly called "economy class syndrome" because the risks of developing paralysis or potentially fatal blood clots are created by immobility and cramped seating such as that found in cheaper airline seats.

None of the airlines involved will comment directly on the case although Australian carrier Qantas says it has been advising passengers for some time about how to avoid possible flight-related health risks.

Passengers should be warned

In November a British parliamentary committee said that airlines should warn passengers of the risks of developing blood clots from long flights, although it noted cramped seating conditions could happen in any cabin class.

It also acknowledged that "economy class syndrome" was in scientific dispute and more research was needed for firm conclusions to be drawn.