A businessman is suing British Airways for more than £50,000 after cutting his fingers on a sharp object during a flight, claiming the incident left him with flashbacks, nightmares, and permanent physical damage.
Andrew Chesterton, 61, a former chief operating officer at financial services firm Bravura Solutions, was flying from Heathrow to Cincinnati for a holiday in 2023 when he reached between seats and caught two fingers on a sharp object. He suffered bleeding and was taken to hospital upon landing.
In court documents, Chesterton's barrister Jessica Muurman stated that he required four stitches to his ring finger and seven to his little finger. He later developed an infection requiring antibiotics and attended five physiotherapy sessions. The injuries have left him with permanent hypersensitivity, stiffness, and reduced grip strength, affecting tasks such as gardening.
Muurman also detailed psychological impacts, including anxiety about social activities, flashbacks, and nightmares that required sleeping tablets. British Airways has admitted liability for the accident but disputes the claim for psychological damages, arguing that the Montreal Convention only covers 'bodily injury'.
The case will proceed to a full assessment of damages unless a settlement is reached outside court.
