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British Airways pays £130,000 to man who slipped on Baileys at Heathrow Airport
A man who slipped on a puddle of Baileys and hit his head inside Heathrow Airport has won a £130,000 payout from British Airways in court.
Andreas Wuchner, a businessman, reportedly suffered brain damage as a result of the fall, which resulted in his company folding the following year. He slipped on a puddle of Baileys that was spilled on the floor by another passenger, close to a British Airways (BA) check-in desk.
It was explained in Central London County Court that Mr Wuchner had been intending to travel to Zurich on a BA-operated aircraft. When he was preparing to check in and board the plane, he slipped on the pool of Irish Cream, sustaining traumatic brain injury.
Lawyer Natasha Jackson told the judge:
“This was a slip on a spilt bottle of Baileys liqueur, but unfortunately he does seem to have suffered some traumatic brain injury as a result.
“The accident took place on 11 November 2017. My unfortunate client slipped and fell on liquid on the floor while embarking at Heathrow.”
According to the Independent, Mr Wuchner was entitled to compensation due to a clause in the Montreal Convention, a law which governs financial compensation for those who sustain injuries while taking international flights.
The £130,000 that Mr Wuchner received is the usual limit the convention allows, though should BA staff be proved negligent in not cleaning up the spillage promptly, then “the limit can be exceeded,” according to Ms Jackson.
She went on to say that her client wished to take the £130,000 payout, while also pressing ahead with a further claim against the airline for loss of earnings.
Representing BA, Christopher Loxton said of the verdict, “’I am happy for judgment to be entered for the claimant with damages to be assessed.”
BA argues that there was no negligence on their part, and that Mr Wuchner should receive no more than the £130,000 payout.