LONDON- A British Airways (BA) passenger is suing the airline after a heavy metal water bottle allegedly fell from an overhead bin and struck her head during a flight from Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Germany, to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), UK.
Andrea Stendel, a 53-year-old Kentucky resident, claims the August 2024 incident caused a concussion, severe cognitive problems and lasting vision issues that delayed her occupational therapy licensing exam and affected her earning capacity.
British Airways Passenger Allegedly Injured by Falling Bottle
Stendel was traveling aboard British Airways flight BA903 on August 28, 2024, when the alleged incident occurred. She had originally been assigned seat 13B but accepted another passenger’s offer to take aisle seat 13C before departure.
According to her federal complaint, Stendel went to sleep after the aircraft took off. While she was sleeping, another passenger allegedly opened the overhead storage compartment directly above her seat.
The complaint states that a heavy, full metal water container fell from the compartment and struck Stendel on the top of her head without warning.
The impact allegedly caused a scalp laceration and concussion. Stendel’s lawsuit also claims the injury triggered post-traumatic stress symptoms linked to previous trauma and resulted in severe neurocognitive functional deficits.
Her attorney, Robert Morrin, said the passenger had no opportunity to protect herself because she was asleep when the object fell, Independent UK reported.
Lawsuit Claims Long-Term Vision Problems
Stendel alleges that the head injury caused chronic visual problems, including exophoria and convergence misalignment.
Exophoria occurs when one eye tends to drift outward rather than maintaining alignment with the other eye. Convergence problems can make it difficult for both eyes to turn inward together when focusing on nearby objects. These conditions can contribute to blurred or double vision.
The complaint describes Stendel’s visual misalignment as an ongoing physical injury resulting from the accident. It claims she may require continued visual rehabilitation therapy or specialized neuro-prism prescription lenses.
The lawsuit also alleges significant cognitive impairment. According to the complaint, Stendel subsequently performed in the bottom third percentile on a visual memory assessment, meaning 97 percent of those tested scored higher.
Injury Delayed Occupational Therapy Career
The alleged injury occurred while Stendel was preparing to begin her professional career as an occupational therapist.
The complaint states that she was a recent occupational therapy graduate preparing for her national board licensing examination at the time of the incident.
Stendel alleges that her cognitive impairment forced her to postpone the examination by 12 weeks. The complaint claims this delay prevented her from entering a documented position with the University of Kentucky Health System on schedule.
According to the lawsuit, the delay resulted in $20,160 in lost earning capacity.
The complaint seeks compensation for past and future medical, neurocognitive and ophthalmologic expenses, along with lost wages and future impairment of earning capacity.
Lawsuit Raises Questions About Overhead Bin Safety
A central allegation concerns the overhead compartment from which the water bottle reportedly fell.
Stendel’s complaint alleges that the storage bin had a safety defect because it lacked retention netting, containment screens or side mesh barriers capable of preventing heavy loose objects from falling when the compartment was opened.
The lawsuit accuses British Airways of negligence in operating an allegedly defective storage system and failing to properly secure items inside the overhead compartment.
The complaint also alleges that the airline failed to follow appropriate procedures after the passenger was injured.
British Airways declined to comment on the allegations because the case is now subject to legal proceedings.
Passenger Questions Post-Incident Assistance
The lawsuit also criticizes the medical assistance Stendel allegedly received after the impact.
According to the complaint, cabin crew provided her with a bag filled with ice to treat the injury. The filing states that the ice quickly melted and leaked onto Stendel while she remained in acute distress.
Morrin told The Independent that the bag was a paper and plastic hybrid commonly used as a vomit bag. He suggested it may not have been designed to hold ice and claimed the aircraft did not have suitable medical equipment available for treating Stendel.
These allegations have not been established in court.
The complaint further claims that flight attendants told Stendel they would return to collect her information and prepare an official onboard incident report.
Stendel alleges that no crew member returned to obtain her details, no statement was taken from the passenger who allegedly opened the overhead bin, and no incident report was prepared.
The lawsuit says this left the identity of the passenger who opened the compartment unrecorded.
British Airways Faces Multiple Injury Allegations
The case follows other lawsuits involving passengers who allege that objects or aircraft-related incidents caused serious injuries during commercial flights.
Last year, a 36-year-old woman sued United Airlines after alleging that part of an aircraft ceiling detached and struck her head. The passenger reportedly lost consciousness and later continued to experience vision problems and pain.
A JetBlue passenger also sued the airline over an alleged concussion sustained during a hard landing in South Carolina. She claimed the injury significantly affected her ability to work.
These cases involve separate allegations and do not establish that British Airways was responsible for Stendel’s injuries.
Damages Sought in Federal Lawsuit
Stendel’s complaint alleges that British Airways is strictly liable for damages arising from the incident. It seeks compensation for physical injuries, pain, mental anguish, emotional distress and loss of earning capacity.
The lawsuit also seeks damages for past and future medical treatment, including neurocognitive and optical care.
Additional claims include permanent impairment of earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, prejudgment and post-judgment interest, and attorney fees.
The case was filed in federal court in Lexington, Kentucky, on August 25, 2026.
The allegations remain claims made in a civil lawsuit. A court has not determined liability or awarded damages to Stendel.
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