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 and nightmares. Andrew Chesterton, 61, was flying from Heathrow to Cincinnati in 2023 when he put his hand between seats and caught two fingers on a sharp object.
The former chief operating officer at Bravura Solutions suffered bleeding and was taken to hospital upon landing. He required 11 stitches and later developed an infection in his little finger. Chesterton claims he now has permanent scarring, reduced grip strength, and hypersensitivity.
In court documents, his barrister Jessica Muurman said the accident caused psychological harm, including anxiety, avoidance of social events, flashbacks, and nightmares requiring sleeping tablets. Chesterton is suing under the Montreal Convention, which holds airlines strictly liable for accidents.
British Airways has admitted liability for the accident but disputes the claimed sum, arguing that psychological injury is not compensable under the convention, which covers only 'bodily injury'. The airline's barrister, Christopher Loxton, said Chesterton must prove the extent of his injuries.
The case is set for a full assessment of damages unless a settlement is reached out of court.
