{"id":163373,"date":"2026-11-04T01:08:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T19:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=163373"},"modified":"2026-11-04T00:02:21","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T18:32:21","slug":"aer-lingus-faces-damages-claim-over-passengers-dublin-airport-fall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/11\/04\/aer-lingus-faces-damages-claim-over-passengers-dublin-airport-fall\/","title":{"rendered":"Aer Lingus Faces Damages Claim Over Passenger\u2019s Dublin Airport Fall"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DUBLIN-<\/strong> Aer Lingus (EI)<\/a> is facing a damages assessment in the High Court after a passenger suffered a serious ankle injury while disembarking from Flight EI 611 from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to Dublin Airport (DUB) on September 22, 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deirdre Burke, then 66, of Craughwell, County Galway, claims she fell while stepping onto mobile stairs positioned below the aircraft’s exit level in near darkness. The airline’s liability is not contested, with the court now considering the compensation claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: By scott wright – originally posted to Flickr as ei-dub, CC BY 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=7757844<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Aer Lingus Passenger Suffers Serious Ankle Injury During Disembarkation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The incident occurred at Dublin Airport<\/a> on a dark and wet night as Mrs Burke was leaving the Amsterdam-Dublin service. According to the proceedings, she misplaced her foot while stepping from the aircraft onto the mobile stairs positioned alongside the plane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her legal team told the High Court that the stairs were at a significantly lower level than the aircraft floor, creating an unsafe transition for passengers. The area was also reportedly in almost total darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damien Higgins, counsel for Mrs Burke, instructed by MacSweeney Solicitors, said she suffered a severe fracture-dislocation of her right ankle in the September 2019 incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The passenger experienced immediate pain following the fall. A doctor travelling on the same flight attended to her before paramedics arrived and provided further assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emergency services subsequently transported Mrs Burke to Beaumont Hospital, where an X-ray confirmed the extent of the ankle injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Aer
Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – Aer Lingus, EI-DUO, Airbus A330-202, CC BY-SA 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=87492368<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Passenger Requires Surgery and Continues to Experience Pain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mrs Burke underwent open reduction surgery following the accident, during which surgeons inserted a metal plate to stabilise the injured ankle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, her recovery has involved continuing complications. An X-ray conducted in 2021 reportedly showed arthritis in the affected area, while she continues to experience pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Higgins told Mr Justice Paul Coffey that an expert medical witness representing Mrs Burke’s side would give evidence that she suffers from complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in her ankle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The condition can involve persistent pain following an injury. The legal team intends to rely on the medical evidence when presenting the extent of her long-term difficulties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Counsel described the impact on Mrs Burke’s later years, telling the court: “It has tarnished the golden years of her life.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that she now walks with uncertainty and requires a walking stick to support her mobility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: By Anthony92931 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=26227012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Aer Lingus Passenger Seeks Compensation for Domestic Assistance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The injury has also affected Mrs Burke’s ability to manage everyday household activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her legal team said she experiences difficulties with heavy lifting, vacuuming and carrying clothes to the washing line. These limitations have affected her independence and increased her need for assistance at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The claimant’s side estimates that she will require six hours of domestic assistance every week in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Jeremy Maher, representing Aer Lingus, told the court that the airline’s position was that one hour of domestic assistance per week would be sufficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The difference between the two assessments forms part of the ongoing damages proceedings, particularly in determining the level of future support Mrs Burke may require.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: JAMES BAVIN | Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Passenger Alleges Failures in Dublin Airport Disembarkation Arrangements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The original proceedings against Aer Lingus identified several alleged safety failures during the disembarkation process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mrs Burke’s legal team claimed the airline failed to provide a safe means of leaving the aircraft and did not warn her that the mobile platform was positioned significantly below the aircraft floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proceedings also alleged that passengers were required to disembark in near darkness despite the dark and wet weather conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other allegations concerned the positioning and alignment of the mobile stairs. The claimant argued that the stairs were not properly secured or positioned flush with the aircraft exit, creating an unsafe gap and height difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These allegations formed the basis of her claim concerning the arrangements provided for passengers leaving the aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Tobias_Gudat | X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Aer Lingus Liability Not Contested as High Court Assesses Damages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told that Aer Lingus does not contest liability in the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, the proceedings before the High Court are concerned with assessing damages rather than determining whether the airline was responsible for the incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The court is considering the physical injuries, continuing medical complications, impact on daily activities and potential future domestic assistance requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The judge adjourned the proceedings until Wednesday and encouraged both parties to continue discussions in an effort to reach an agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No final compensation figure or settlement outcome was reported in the proceedings described to the court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us on\u00a0Telegram Group\u00a0<\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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