DUBLIN- A young child who was allegedly scalded by hot coffee during a Ryanair (FR) flight has secured a €15,500 settlement after legal proceedings were brought before Ireland’s Circuit Civil Court. The incident occurred onboard a flight travelling from Reus Airport (REU) in Spain to Dublin Airport (DUB) and involved an infant who was just 18 months old at the time.
The settlement was approved in Dublin following a civil claim taken on behalf of the child, now aged five, against the airline. The court heard that the injury occurred around 30 minutes into the two-hour flight, raising serious questions about onboard service procedures and emergency response readiness.
Ryanair Fined €15,500 by Court
According to submissions made to the court, the child was asleep on his mother’s lap when a cup of very hot coffee spilled onto his arm, torso, and leg.
The drink was allegedly placed on a tray table attached to a vacant seat, from where it tipped over.
The court was told that the infant experienced severe pain and distress for the remaining duration of the flight. Legal counsel said the injuries included blistering across multiple parts of the body, although no permanent scarring was reported.
It was further claimed that the coffee was excessively hot and served in a container that was not fit for purpose.
The absence of a properly secured lid was also cited as a contributing factor in the incident.
Court Proceedings Outcome
The case was heard before Judge James O’Donohoe, who approved the settlement offer as reasonable under the circumstances.
The claim was taken through the child’s father, who acted as his legal representative in the proceedings.
Counsel for the child told the court that, while the case had strong prospects of success at trial, there had been suggestions of contributory negligence.
On that basis, the settlement was recommended and accepted along with legal costs.
The judge noted that the agreed compensation figure was appropriate given the facts presented. He formally ruled to approve the €15,500 settlement, bringing the matter to a close without a full trial, reported Irish Times.
First Aid Allegations Against Ryanair
One of the more serious allegations raised during the hearing related to the availability of first aid equipment onboard the aircraft. It was claimed that there was no sufficient or appropriate first aid kit available to treat the child’s burns.
As a result, the parents were allegedly forced to use their own clothing and bottled water to cool and cover the affected areas. The court heard that this situation added to the distress experienced during the flight.
Following landing in Dublin, the child reportedly received emergency treatment on the airport tarmac. He was then transferred to a specialist children’s hospital for further care and dressings.
The airline did not admit liability as part of the settlement, which resolved all claims connected to the incident.
The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of cabin safety practices and onboard medical preparedness within the aviation industry.
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