Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

WWYD? Concussion after suitcase fell on my head!

465 replies

UndertheCedartree · 27/09/2025 11:19

Just a thread to get opinions on this and decide what to do.

I was boarding my flight home from Florida on Thursday evening and was just sitting down when a suitcase landed on my head having fallen from the overhead locker. Honestly, the whole experience has been horrible and I feel I've been really badly treated. Being in the US all the Americans keep telling me to sue!

I don't necessarily want to do that but I would like to stop someone experiencing the same. Or I just forget about it and move on. Just interested to hear opinions.

So after it happened they called firefighters (who are paramedics too) to attend. When waiting for this I noticed they had moved my hand luggage off the plane and got my teenage children out of their seats who were both standing there crying. The firefighters came and the airline crew were telling me I have to go to hospital. I asked for some observations to be done and a stretcher brought. They insisted I had to get off the plane. The pilot came out, no empathy atall, just told me to get off the plane or he would call the police! I went with the firefighters and they told me they would have preferred to do observations before moving me but have to do what the airline says.

Anyway they took me to hospital and they said I was ok to fly home the next day. I tried to get in touch with someone to ask for some accommodations to make the flight more bearable as I was in so much pain. I was told I have to speak to 'the airport team' - we arrived at the airport at 11am and there was noone from the airline there. Eventually they came at 1pm but told me they just work on their behalf they can do nothing I need to speak to the airline on the phone/online. Tried numbers, messaging for hours. Eventually I was told they would make sure I was comfortable on the flight with pillows etc. We got on the flight having been up for a day and a half and so uncomfortable from.just sitting on airport seating, I thought I was finally going to be comfortable. When I got on board I asked for a pillow. You would have thought I'd asked for the crown jewels! I was shouted at, told there was only one pillow person customer (not actually a pillow just a small thin cushion) It was a horrible, painful flight and I felt so bad and was so dizzy when I got off the flight I am now in A&E.

They think it is a concussion but I failed one of the neurological observations so I'm waiting for a CT scan. I honestly think they could have taken more care and been much nicer. Wwyd?

OP posts:
WLnamechange · 28/09/2025 12:03

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 11:49

I take it you aren't a medical professional. The point of paramedics is to deal with the situation at scene. It's not 30 years ago when am ambulance man just scooped people up and took them to hospital causing all sorts of damage.

The plane has a timed slot, the plane needs to depart. You were taken off the plane and taken to hospital how long did you want treatment on the plane for?
It was a head injury you needed to go to hospital. Your teenagers were stood there crying have you considered all the other people on the plane who wanted to depart. Paramedics took you to hospital that was correct, you've mentioned a CT scan how could they have done that on the plane?

FlyingUnicornWings · 28/09/2025 12:01

Are you still in hospital now? Have you had your scan? What was the result?

Tubestrike · 28/09/2025 11:59

Just be aware that suing is not for the faint hearted. It took 6 years, many many medical assessments and loads of paperwork before I got a payout for a horrific road accident in a foreign country, where the blame was undisputed.

Mochudubh · 28/09/2025 11:58

You're definitely not thinking straight if you're making numerous posts on Mumsnet instead of Contacting Your Insurance Company.

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 11:56

I was vaguely thinking they would bill me later. I do remember them trying to get me to talk to a screen but zi don't think I could speak clearly enough.

OP posts:
meganorks · 28/09/2025 11:56

If it was just the incident itself, then I would say no, don't. But the way they dealt with you sounds appalling. Clearly they have no procedures in place. But even without them, some empathy and common sense could have helped you. So I think you would be within your rights to seek compensation.

Clearinguptheclutter · 28/09/2025 11:54

Don’t quite understand but definitely sounds like a shit show

also sounds like you need a good rest

either get someone to contact insurance on your behalf or do it yourself when feeling better

do you have some proof that the story actually happened? I believe you but BA might try and deny. In fact they almost certainly will.

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 11:52

AgnesX · 28/09/2025 11:47

I'd definitely take legal advice. I'm surprised that the fire department didn't suggest that you go to A&E in Florida though and why you didn't get proper medical help at the time rather than getting on another flight when you were in extreme pain.

I did go to hospital in Florida

OP posts:
UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 11:51

FiveShelties · 28/09/2025 11:38

So who paid the hospital bill?

Noone.

OP posts:
FiveShelties · 28/09/2025 11:50

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 11:43

I've not been given a bill.

Wow, that is amazing. Having had treatment in USA the first thing they wanted was insurance details.

You were unbelievably fortunate to be treated at no cost.

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 11:49

WLnamechange · 28/09/2025 11:32

They did put your health first, they got you off the plane and took you to hospital.

What did you want, to have observations and treatment on the plane?
The plane needed to depart you needed medical help = get you off the plane ASAP.

I take it you aren't a medical professional. The point of paramedics is to deal with the situation at scene. It's not 30 years ago when am ambulance man just scooped people up and took them to hospital causing all sorts of damage.

OP posts:
Luxio · 28/09/2025 11:49

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 11:43

I've not been given a bill.

I'm so confused and I don't think people can actually properly advise you without some clarity. You were admitted to and treated in a US hospital but you haven't given them any insurance details and they discharged you without you paying for this treatment? That doesn't sound accurate?

Ocelotfeet27 · 28/09/2025 11:49

Do you have anyone who can call your insurance company on your behalf OP, asap. And explain the situation and that you are too unwell to contact them yourself? And ask their advice? I would definitely sue also - especially if your travel insurance company reject your claim which they may if you didn't follow their processes. Hopefully not though.

This must have been very frightening, I'm so sorry. I have myself taken heavy hand luggage on a BA flight (probably approaching 18kg) so I can entirely believe such a case could cause a lot of damage.

333FionaG · 28/09/2025 11:47

You poor woman, what an awful experience. I hope you feel better very soon. Have you had the CT scan yet?

AgnesX · 28/09/2025 11:47

I'd definitely take legal advice. I'm surprised that the fire department didn't suggest that you go to A&E in Florida though and why you didn't get proper medical help at the time rather than getting on another flight when you were in extreme pain.

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 11:45

I don't think I have anyway. It's all very blurry.

OP posts:
UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 11:43

FiveShelties · 28/09/2025 11:02

Did you not have to contact your insurance company to pay the hospital bill?

I've not been given a bill.

OP posts:
UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 11:41

Just me and teenagers. I am starting to feel sick again. I will try to see if someone can help me contact insurance company.

OP posts:
YaWeeFurryBastard · 28/09/2025 11:40

Izzywizzy85 · 27/09/2025 18:32

Nobody is disputing it was painful. But a stretcher is so OTT, I can’t imagine why she would need one? Or why her teenagers were crying? I get it if they’re toddlers but teens?! 🫤

I’d be pretty upset if I saw my mum get hit on the head by a heavy object and injured and I’m a grown woman in my 30s. Are you completely devoid of empathy?

FiveShelties · 28/09/2025 11:38

So who paid the hospital bill?

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 11:37

I would need to locate my belongings. With insurance information.

OP posts:
YaWeeFurryBastard · 28/09/2025 11:37

Sorry for your accident OP, and sorry for the horrible responses you’re now getting from idiots on the internet.

First things first I would call your insurance and explain the situation in detail, as presumably you need to claim for US hospital expenses and the missed flight? They will likely take an interest in trying to recover their costs from BA as BA are potentially liable if you were hit on the head by another customers suitcase through no fault of your own.

I would also contact BA and inform them you are considering legal action, outlining the incident so hopefully someone with a bit of authority can look into it and provide some answers/compensation.

What happened must have been horrible and I am by no means an ambulance chaser but I’d be wanting some form of compensation for this horrible experience which no doubt ruined the end of your holiday!

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 11:36

RosesAndHellebores · 28/09/2025 11:02

@UndertheCedartree did you lose consciousness.
Did the airline arrange your original night of accommodation?
Did you report it immediately to your insurers, who should have advised re attending hospital and for accommodation/escort service for your children if younger teenagers?
If you were unwell, the insurers should have arranged assistance for the flight home.

I take it you had travel and health insurance?
It needs a strong letter to the CEO of BA in my opinion but a lot of steps seem to be missing here.

I have travel insurance. Not contacted them. Airline did nothing. I was not in a fit state to contact them immediately. I could do now.

OP posts:
UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 11:32

Izzywizzy85 · 27/09/2025 18:32

Nobody is disputing it was painful. But a stretcher is so OTT, I can’t imagine why she would need one? Or why her teenagers were crying? I get it if they’re toddlers but teens?! 🫤

When someone cannot walk with a neck/head injury it is the safest option. Hence medics wanting it. My kids are autistic, saw their mum seriously injured and were being treated with hostility - yes, it was too much for them.

OP posts:
WLnamechange · 28/09/2025 11:32

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 11:20

My health should have come first not getting us off the plane as soon as possible.

They did put your health first, they got you off the plane and took you to hospital.

What did you want, to have observations and treatment on the plane?
The plane needed to depart you needed medical help = get you off the plane ASAP.

Swipe left for the next trending thread