Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
AngelofIslington · 28/09/2025 18:48

Goodness op, pilots don’t come into the cabin and cause a “hoo ha” for no reason.
I think your version of events may be slightly different to the air crew’s

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 18:47

I have never been in an American hospital before. But I would say the facilities and care were very very basic. Much lower standard than an NHS hospital. Maybe because it is an airport A&E I honestly don't know.

OP posts:
AngelicKaty · 28/09/2025 18:46

UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 18:25

Hopefully I got away with it then! I just spoke to my DS he said it was paid for by the airport. He said it was an 'airport hospital' It did have airport in it's name!

Show quote history

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"?

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 18:44

havinalarf · 28/09/2025 14:50

I'm not sure what to think of all this but there is a limit to how long a plane load of passengers should be made to wait whilst someone is seen to for a medical emergency which may lead to hospitalisation. As soon as a passenger has a head injury the airline is going to risk assess that as 'unfit to fly', especially on long haul as the alternative outcome mid Atlantic is much worse.

It sounds like the airline (BA ?!) took an uncaring attitude towards you but it sounds like it was quite a hoo-ha what with crying teenagers and a 'stunned' OP. They could have been nicer but you can't expect endless empathy from a few hundred people wanting to get home. Who's to say how long all that might take?

Contact the airline.

It doesn't take long to do a couple of sets of obs. Definitely less time than all the 'hoo ha' the pilot caused.

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 18:40

steff13 · 28/09/2025 14:40

I don't understand why people are surprised that she didn't have to pay anything at the hospital. You don't pay anything up front at the hospital in the US for treatment. You tell them you have insurance, or you tell them you're self-pay and then they send you a bill later. They don't lock you up until you pay. They treat you and then you leave.

Thank you! Was starting to question what really happened.

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 18:39

notimagain · 28/09/2025 14:08

@SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice

It is the safest option in an open area where a stretcher can be maneuvered without bumps or other than horizontal but not the safest option to get someone out of a confined space- getting off an aeroplane usually falls in the confined space category,

Interesting point - Over the years working on aircraft I don't I ever saw anyone with a medical problem carried off on a stretcher, the crew/helpers were more likely to use the aircraft wheelchair to get to the door, then transfer to another chair.

Even in a widebodied aircraft (.e.g. A380/777/787) I think it would be tough to almost impossible to get anyone on a traditional stretcher around the cabin furniture and out of the forward doors usually used for boarding and disembarkation.

At this point I was sitting on one of the fold down chairs near the door. I remember seeing my backpack sitting outside the door. I was of the impression the firefighters wanted to get a stretcher but I am pretty confused to be fair.

OP posts:
SimoneHere · 28/09/2025 18:37

femfemlicious · 28/09/2025 17:57

That's checked in luggage. No one accepts 23kg hand luggage. @UndertheCedartree that's sounds awful. Please sue them and get as much money as you possibly can.

Show quote history

You should let them know then, because BA very happily accepted my 20kg+ suitcase as cabin baggage last month when flying transatlantic.

At the time, knowing it was a particularly heavy case compared to what I would normally take onboard, I asked what the limit was and they said 23kg. Having just now googled to check my own sanity, it gives dimensions and says you must be able to lift it into the overhead locker unassisted. That’s all.

I fly a couple of times a month, although mostly within Europe, and I have never had the weight of my cabin baggage checked. Dimensions yes, weight no.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 18:36

SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 28/09/2025 14:02

So OP is both poor and vulnerable, meaning it highly unlikely that she would have the resources to sue.

Show quote history

This is true. I mean not exactly poor to be able to go on this incredible holiday. But not wealthy no.

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 18:34

Emiliachonk · 28/09/2025 13:57

This OP was travelling on a very very tight budget

the OP has extensive and ongoing social worker involvement for both herself and her children.

I mention this because clearly this information feeds in to this thread

I was on a tight budget for America.

I have no current social worker involvement for me or my children. I do have a support worker.

OP posts:
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.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 18:32

SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 28/09/2025 13:56

It is the safest option in an open area where a stretcher can be maneuvered without bumps or other than horizontal but not the safest option to get someone out of a confined space- getting off an aeroplane usually falls in the confined space category,

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

In addition, getting you off the plane quickly and to a hospital was imho the best action for your health and safety.

With respect OP, you are exhibiting symptoms of a mild TBI and so you will not be thinking clearly. Your partner needs to step up and start taking care of you and the insurance paperwork.

Also, be aware you are at higher risk of developing depression as a direct result of the head injury. So flag up any intrusive negative thoughts that emerge to your GP.,

Edited
Show quote history

Good advice, thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 18:30

I also didn't realise but I apparently did pass out.

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 18:29

DreamOfTheRarebitFiend · 28/09/2025 13:56

Same. I think we did receive a bill once we returned back to the UK, but it was weeks/months later.

Show quote history

Maybe I haven't got away with it who knows!

I am back home luckily now. CT clear. My dad has taken all my insurance details to deal with it.

I feel ok when painkillers are kicked in. As soon as they stop working I feel dreadful again.

OP posts:
Andthatrightsoon · 28/09/2025 18:27

3isthemagicnumber3 · 28/09/2025 17:43

What neurological observation did you fail?

The truthiness scale?

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 18:26

abouttogetlynched · 28/09/2025 13:55

OP, how did you manage to get an ESTA to fly into the States when you have a recent criminal record for theft?
Have you been able to dial the number to call your insurers yet or are you fingers too tired from typing your updates on MN instead?

A recent criminal record for theft???

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 28/09/2025 18:25

mirrorsandlights · 28/09/2025 13:54

I was once treated in A&E in the States and was also not charged. I gave my details but a bill didn’t follow.

Hopefully I got away with it then! I just spoke to my DS he said it was paid for by the airport. He said it was an 'airport hospital' It did have airport in it's name!

OP posts:
femfemlicious · 28/09/2025 17:57

SimoneHere · 27/09/2025 18:00

BA

Show quote history

That's checked in luggage. No one accepts 23kg hand luggage. @UndertheCedartree that's sounds awful. Please sue them and get as much money as you possibly can.

Booboobagins · 28/09/2025 17:56

It's hard to conceive of how a suitcase fell out onto you. Did another passenger mess up?

Sounds like the airline staff lacked compassion, wtf.

Def sue. Use a lawyer in USA and go through a USA court.

No idea what airline you used, but they were clearly awful!

kittensinthekitchen · 28/09/2025 17:55

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.

Show quote history

The OP has already said the children have a disability. Presumably if they could have contacted the insurers, they would have.

My children would not be able to consult with insurers in this situation. It would need to wait for me..

MumWifeOther · 28/09/2025 17:50

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?

Yes, sue! Airlines have insurance for this reason. My husband worked in law and for BA.

MrsWhites · 28/09/2025 17:49

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.

Show quote history

Who paid for the fit to fly letter? I’d be surprised if there was no charge for this?

LIZS · 28/09/2025 17:48

RandomGeocache · 28/09/2025 17:26

Unless there is no insurer.

Show quote history

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.

MrsWhites · 28/09/2025 17:47

Soontobe60 · 28/09/2025 17:28

The airline would not have allowed the OP to board a flight less than a day after such a serious incident that it required hospitalisation without a letter from the hospital clearing her fit to fly. Especially following a serious head injury!

Show quote history

Exactly, yet the OP says she was incoherent in the hospital. This is why none of this makes sense to me.

I’m not saying it didn’t happen but there is clearly more to it than the OP has posted about.

kittensinthekitchen · 28/09/2025 17:44

Ophy83 · 28/09/2025 17:28

Contact a decent firm of personal injury solicitors asap. They will start with notifying the airline of the claim, get you seen by a consultant and as part of the claim can also arrange for any specialist treatment/physio you may need.

🙄

3isthemagicnumber3 · 28/09/2025 17:43

What neurological observation did you fail?