A pregnant flight attendant has filed a lawsuit against a coffee company after she was severely burned when a coffee maker exploded mid-flight. Victoria Waldron, an employee of Alaska Airlines, alleges that a coffee machine supplied by Stumptown Coffee Corp failed catastrophically, showering her with scalding water and coffee grounds.
The incident occurred on 1 April 2024, while Ms Waldron was working on a flight to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. About 30 minutes before landing, she was brewing coffee when the machine exploded, causing thermal burns to her chest and other areas. The lawsuit, filed in Seattle's Western District of Washington, claims Stumptown supplied a defective product and failed to warn of risks despite previous incidents.
According to the court filing, Ms Waldron feared for her unborn child and now suffers from permanent scarring and a heat-triggered rash. She requires ongoing dermatological treatment and may need cosmetic surgery. Her attorneys argue that Stumptown had ample warning of the issue, as the Association of Flight Attendants had reported nine similar burn incidents since the coffee blend was introduced in December 2023.
The lawsuit claims Stumptown's packaging was designed for sea level and not tested for low-pressure aircraft cabins, causing it to behave dangerously. Despite the union's statement in February 2024, Stumptown did not issue warnings or recall the product. Ms Waldron is seeking damages for pain, suffering, medical expenses, and lost earnings, with a jury trial demanded.
