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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:
User16042025 · 28/09/2025 20:35

My sister works in cabin crew, passengers storing their luggage is THEIR responsibility and they are discouraged to help passengers with luggage. If someone is unable to put up their own luggage, it gets taken down to hold. So I'm not sure what you would be able to sue for.

MargaretThursday · 28/09/2025 20:32

UnderstoodBetsy · 28/09/2025 20:16

Have you been in the same situation in the UK (being injured while on a plane prior to takeoff)? If not, I don't think you can really say that it would be handled differently in the UK. In any case, you clearly needed to go to the hospital as a matter of urgency.

I've been in the situation where we called an ambulance (UK) to an elderly lady who had fallen, and banged her forehead against a corner as she got up in the middle of a talk she was at.

If she tried to even sit up, went dizzy and lost consciousness.

The paramedics arrived and straight away got her into a private room so they could do observations without 199 people watching.
She had broken her nose and had concussion bad enough to keep her in for five days.

She was very sweet and when she wasn't going dizzy kept trying to tell them she was absolutely fine and if she could just get a bus home... Her son (when eventually I'd persuaded her that he really would want to know) came flying down to check she was okay. It was very lovely, and they were totally confident that the paramedics had done all they could.

So, yes, I think they would have got Op away from everyone else.

Linenpickle · 28/09/2025 20:32

You can’t have cabin bags weighing 23kg. That’s the limit for cases in the hold, i.e. checked in. This all sounds odd.

Cursebreaker30 · 28/09/2025 20:26

There is a woman called Sarah Ban Breathnnach that this exact same to f happened to. She is an author and written about it and the effect of it on her life. I am sorry I am no help other than that but it may help you feel less alone

Lifestooshort71 · 28/09/2025 20:25

CherrieTomaties · 28/09/2025 20:15

@UndertheCedartree please put your screen/phone/iPad/whatever it is you’re using DOWN.

Constantly reading your thread and replying whilst straining your eyes on the screen isn’t going to help OP. I know you need advice but the most important thing right now is your health. If you keep going in an out of dizzy-dos and feeling nauseous then you need to rest. No screens. Keep hydrated.

You can come back to the thread to take all the advice and suggestions on board when you are feeling much better and will be able to concentrate more.

I believe your empathy is misplaced 🤥 🤥 🤥

AngelofIslington · 28/09/2025 20:22

Did you get the CT scan in the hosp in America, or here?
I only ask as you have just said you signed consent for the CT scan at the American hosp but earlier said you were in A&E here waiting on the results of a CT here.

Tiswa · 28/09/2025 20:21

With head injuries though observations need to be made over time and I can see why they wouldn’t want to hold the plane up and take you off - that bit I think was absolutely fine

you can claim but remember damages is quite often for loss as well what financial loss you have encountered

definitely complain though

Justgorgeous · 28/09/2025 20:21

Dreadful. Wish you well. x

ToeSucker · 28/09/2025 20:20

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 20:14

For safety. Why do you think paramedics always do observations before transporting someone?

Head injury needs a CT scan though. Obs aren't going to tell anyone anything useful. Remember Natasha Richardson's sad story? She refused to be taken to hospital as she felt fine.

UnderstoodBetsy · 28/09/2025 20:16

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 20:10

No he should have allowed the firefighters to do observations. If the UK paramedics would have done obs. Why is it different in the US?

Have you been in the same situation in the UK (being injured while on a plane prior to takeoff)? If not, I don't think you can really say that it would be handled differently in the UK. In any case, you clearly needed to go to the hospital as a matter of urgency.

CherrieTomaties · 28/09/2025 20:15

@UndertheCedartree please put your screen/phone/iPad/whatever it is you’re using DOWN.

Constantly reading your thread and replying whilst straining your eyes on the screen isn’t going to help OP. I know you need advice but the most important thing right now is your health. If you keep going in an out of dizzy-dos and feeling nauseous then you need to rest. No screens. Keep hydrated.

You can come back to the thread to take all the advice and suggestions on board when you are feeling much better and will be able to concentrate more.

User16042025 · 28/09/2025 20:15

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 20:10

No he should have allowed the firefighters to do observations. If the UK paramedics would have done obs. Why is it different in the US?

I'm sorry OP but I don't think it would have made any difference to them if you had obs inside or out of the plane. Unless it was a real emergency. The best thing all round was to get you off that plane.

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 20:14

notimagain · 28/09/2025 19:00

Can I ask why you were insistent on obs on board?

If you were complaining of a blow to the head and possible concussion you weren't going to be travelling, regardless of what they did or didn't reveal.

For safety. Why do you think paramedics always do observations before transporting someone?

OP posts:
ToeSucker · 28/09/2025 20:11

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 10:48

British Airways

Wow i heard BA had deteriorated but this is pretty extreme

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 20:11

SimoneHere · 28/09/2025 18:55

@UndertheCedartree I am sure the hospital will have advised you to stay away from screens from a few days. If you are still feeling bad it might be an idea to step away, rather than trying to defend against all the veiled accusations? You can always start a new thread in legal when you are feeling better.

I hope you feel better soon.

You are right thank you

OP posts:
UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 20:10

WLnamechange · 28/09/2025 18:52

Do you understand that the pilot did the right thing as you needed to be declared fit to fly by a doctor not a paramedic?

No he should have allowed the firefighters to do observations. If the UK paramedics would have done obs. Why is it different in the US?

OP posts:
UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 20:09

LIZS · 28/09/2025 18:49

But given your dazed state (demonstrated by how seriously your UK hospital appears to have taken it two days later) you needed more than a few obs. There was no way the pilot would take responsibility for flying you back at that point and had to offload you for further assessment and clearance to travel.

Yes, I know. But they should have allowed the firefighters to do observations before moving me.

OP posts:
UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 20:07

AngelicKaty · 28/09/2025 18:46

So was it HCA Florida Airport North Emergency Hospital?
Their website says about their Registration Process: "During your visit, you will be visited by a registration clerk who will gather your information at your bedside. They will ask you to sign a treatment consent form and provide your name, address, phone number, personal physician and insurance information."
What makes your DS think your examination "was paid for by the airport"?

Yes! That was the name of it. My DS says that is what they told him. Whether he misunderstood I don't know.

I signed consent for the CT scan and that I wasn't pregnant.

I know this sounds weird but they have this sort of iPad on wheels and someone appears on there to talk to you. I don't think I was able to say much at the time. I don't know it is very blurry.

OP posts:
TheCheekyCyanHelper · 28/09/2025 20:01

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 19:59

Well, the medical professionals disagree.

No, all of them say do not use screens with a concussion. You don't bother listening to actual doctors much, do you....

AngelicKaty · 28/09/2025 20:00

User16042025 · 28/09/2025 19:41

That doesn't make it the airlines fault though does it if someone doesn't put their baggage in properly does it? if so , 🙄 Jesus. If that was the case surely they would insist on doing it themselves.

Yes, it does. And cabin crew observe passengers stowing their luggage and intervene if they're not doing it correctly or dangerously, or they might simply need help.

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 19:59

brunettemic · 28/09/2025 18:34

The first time I read this post on Facebook I thought it sounded really dramatic and I still have the same opinion. You seem adamant you have a concussion yet failed one of the tests and, in my experience, the amount of time you seem to be spending on screens would be next to impossible with a concussion of any severity.

Well, the medical professionals disagree.

OP posts:
ClutchingPearlz · 28/09/2025 19:59

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 18:51

I seem to be going in and out of coherence. I feel fine at times and then awful again.

How convenient that only seems to happen when people ask you awkward questions?

AngelicKaty · 28/09/2025 19:56

bluegreygreen · 28/09/2025 19:27

Perhaps, @AngelicKaty, but not particularly relevant to this thread and not particularly pleasant to be trawling OP's past posts and sharing such information.

I agree and I don't do it, but some people do.

DownWhichOfLate · 28/09/2025 19:56

I haven’t read the whole thread and I’m sure it will have been mentioned already but: using a screen with concussion is a really bad idea!

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 19:55

LIZS · 28/09/2025 17:48

I wondered that too. Most teens would be able to make such a call or ask another adult to do so if op was incapacitated. Op, maybe you need to go through this process with them if you plan to travel together again.

Yes, definitely. I guess I fell into the trap of thinking 'nothing will happen to us...'

OP posts: