Woman sues Aer Lingus over fall while getting off flight at Dublin Airport

Woman misplaced foot as she walked onto steps at lower level than plane floor, High Court hears

Deirdre Burke, 66, of Craughwell, Co Galway, has sued Aer Lingus Ltd over the incident as she was disembarking from Flight EI 611 from Amsterdam on September 22, 2019. Stock picture

A woman who fell and suffered a significant fracture to her foot as she got off an Aer Lingus flight at night has sued the airline in the High Court.

Deirdre Burke was disembarking from the Amsterdam EI 611 flight after it landed at Dublin Airport eight years ago, the court heard. 

She misplaced her foot as she stepped onto the steps which had been brought to the plane, it was claimed.

It was in almost total darkness and the mobile steps were at a level lower than the floor level of the plane, the court heard.

Damien Higgins, instructed by MacSweeney Solicitors, told the court Mrs Burke suffered a severe fracture to her ankle in the September 2019 incident and later required open reduction surgery and to have a plate inserted. 

Counsel said that in 2021 an X-ray showed arthritis in the area and the woman continues to suffer pain. Mr Higgins said an expert on their side will say that she has complex regional pain syndrome in her ankle.

“It has tarnished the golden years of her life,” Counsel told Mr Justice Paul Coffey.

He said Mrs Burke is uncertain walking and has difficulty with heavy lifting, vacuuming, bringing clothes to the washing line, and has to use a stick.

The Burke side estimates that she will require six hours a week of domestic assistance into the future.

Jeremy Maher, for Aer Lingus, told the court his side contended one hour a week in relation to domestic assistance is sufficient.

Deirdre Burke, 66, of Craughwell, Co Galway, has sued Aer Lingus Ltd over the incident as she was disembarking from Flight EI 611 from Amsterdam on September 22, 2019. 

In the proceedings it was claimed there was a failure to provide Mrs Burke with a safe means of disembarkation, and to warn her as to the excessively lower platform relative to the plane floor.

It was further claimed that Mrs Burke was required to disembark in near darkness and there was a failure to ensure the area was properly illuminated given that it was a dark and wet night.

It was also contended that there was a failure to ensure that the stairs were affixed or aligned with the plane in a proper and safe manner and flush to the exit.

Mrs Burke, it was claimed, suffered immediate pain and was attended by a doctor who was a passenger on the flight before paramedics arrived. She was brought to Beaumont Hospital where an X-ray showed she had suffered a fracture dislocation of her right ankle.

Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told that liability is not contested in the case, which is before the court for assessment of damages only.

The judge adjourned the case to Wednesday and encouraged both sides to continue dialogue.