LOS ANGELES– A tragic in-flight incident has sparked a wrongful death lawsuit against Qatar Airways (QR) after a Southern California man, who was a strict vegetarian, died following complications from consuming a meat-based meal he was mistakenly served during a long-haul flight.
Asoka Jayaweera, 85, was flying from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Colombo, Sri Lanka, with a layover at Hamad International Airport (DOH), when he allegedly choked while trying to eat around the meat in a non-vegetarian meal.
Qatar Airways Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The lawsuit, filed in California federal court, alleges negligence and wrongful death. It claims that Qatar Airways failed to provide the pre-ordered vegetarian meal and instead instructed Mr. Jayaweera to “eat around” the meat in the only available meal option.
Shortly afterward, Jayaweera began choking and lost consciousness. The incident occurred mid-flight, roughly two and a half hours after departure, according to legal documents filed by his son, Surya Jayaweera.
Despite the crew’s efforts to assist him using medical equipment and remote guidance from MedAire, his condition deteriorated.
According to The Independent, oxygen saturation reportedly dropped to a critical 69%, and he remained unresponsive for more than three hours before the aircraft made an emergency landing in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Location Disputed in Complaint
The flight crew initially informed a travel companion of Jayaweera that the aircraft could not divert due to being over the Arctic Ocean.
However, the lawsuit contests this claim, stating the flight path at the time placed them over the U.S. Midwest, specifically Wisconsin, where an emergency landing could have been feasible.
The delay in diversion, according to the complaint, contributed significantly to the victim’s death.
Jayaweera was later diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia, a lung infection caused by inhaling food or liquid, which ultimately proved fatal.
Qatar’s policies under scrutiny
Qatar Airways offers up to 19 special meal options, including seven meat-free choices catering to various dietary and religious needs.
Despite this, there have been multiple recent reports involving food-related incidents aboard Qatar Airways flights, including allergic reactions from mislabeled meals.
This case brings renewed attention to airline catering protocols, particularly regarding special dietary accommodations.
It also raises questions about communication during in-flight medical emergencies and the criteria for mid-air diversions.
Implications under Montreal Convention
As both Qatar and the U.S. are signatories to the Montreal Convention, the international treaty governing airline liability, Qatar Airways faces a statutory payout cap of approximately $175,000 for injury or death claims.
However, Surya Jayaweera is seeking damages exceeding this limit, including court fees, attorney costs, and pre-judgment interest.
The airline hasn’t responded publicly to the lawsuit. Legal proceedings are expected to shed light on whether protocol lapses or miscommunications contributed to the fatal outcome.
Bottom Line
The Jayaweera case may set a precedent for future claims involving special meals and emergency medical protocols on international flights.
The lawsuit emphasizes the critical importance of accurate meal handling, real-time medical response capabilities, and flight crew training in managing life-threatening emergencies at cruising altitudes.
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