RE: Airlines Not liable for DVT, a court rules.
It’s not as straight forward as that T5.
We all know fast food is bad for you, and some of us avoid it (some of the time!) as a result. It’s our fault if we get fat or spotty.
But with DVT, the risks were not widely known about until a few years ago. But…the airlines knew, and a lot of the legal case surrounds the fact that airlines collectively hushed it all up. Had they not done so, maybe lives would not have been lost. Didn’t you notice the airlines started giving you leaflets at check-in and on the cabin TV’s only after the court cases started? I don’t think for one moment the airlines only realised the dangers of DVT when the court papers were lodged, and not before!
Also, we do have a choice about not eating fast food. Do we have a choice over getting DVT?
NO.
Okay, the risk is reduced by sitting in biz class, but charter airlines don’t normally offer this. Scheduled airlines normally do, but the price is beyond the means of most. I fly biz when my employer picks the tab, which isn’t too often. Normally I pay myself, and I can’t afford to pay £7,000 return whenever I go long haul. I can afford £500 though. Is it therefore my fault if I get DVT, because I refused to pay for an option which would reduce the risk?
Bottom line – the airlines have a duty to help prevent DVT, although if you do get it then it isn’t their fault. As long as they try, they’re OK. But until a few years ago, they didn’t try. Now, we have leaflets, seatback TV advice and footrests in economy class.
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