Daughter hit on the head in plane by overhead locker item

[Needacupofteaandcrackers]

Hi as everyone was getting on board man placing ski helmets in overhead locker it fell onto my daughter head she’s 24 years. I was sat away from her, and was only told after we met in terminal. She’s taken ibuprofen for headaches. I worried about her. Any advice

With the increased turbulence on flights due to climate change I now choose window and middle seats and avoid aisle for this reason, particularly for my kids. There's a risk of head injury sitting in the aisle seat that doesn't exist in the other seats.

This, I wouldn’t be concerned at all about the bump to the head.

Also they explicitly say to be aware of this, on every flight I’ve ever flown.

There are few things as annoying and infuriating in life as other people's behaviour when it comes to overhead lockers - be it planes or the overhead space on trains. Some folk think they own the entire thing, and don't get me started on passengers who bring huge suitcases onto planes.

Only advice I can think of is keep an eye on her and make sure she's OK, but I wouldn't imagine that's caused much of an injury - however only your daughter knows how she feels.

If you're looking to sue the airline you will need supporting evidence. This will be photos of the injury and a medical report. You should also have reported the incident to the airline at the time so they have a record. If you dont have any evidence then they will reject your claim. If you want to sue you have to issue proceedings (ie actually start a claim with the court with proper particulars of claim not just a letter of complaint) within 2 years of the date of the incident.

Sometimes these things happen. We are far to litigious these days I feel.

Oh god yes. On a recent flight, which I was boarding from the back, the man in front of me shoved his (bigger than regulation, obviously this wasn't Ryanair) bag half into the locker, so leaving it hanging out and walked a few more rows forward to take his seat. Astonishing entitlement.

If you’re worried that she’s actually seriously hurt, then get her to see a doctor. It isn’t more complicated than that?

By 'we' you obviously mean you because I don't know on what grounds anyone would sue the airline for this. They tell you to watch out for things falling out of lockers.

It doesn't sound like the OP is thinking of claiming, why would she? Should the airline refuse to let careless people (either the DD or other passenger who ignored the 'take care' instruction) on planes? Make everyone sit and wait until one of the cabin crew has gone along and carefully opened all the lockers?

I was on a flight once where the battery from a drill fell out of the flight attendants overhead locker onto a passengers head. He was obviously in shock and bleeding, I'm not sure what happened but the staff were super attentive and he was well looked afterthroughoutthe flight, presumably because it was their equipment that injured him!

I'm sure your dd will be fine, just keep an eye on her

I mean "we" as a society.

And I have no idea as to the OPs motives on this thread. None of us do. It could be medical. It could be litigious. We can only guess. If it litigious unless she has the information I listed, any claim is a non starter.

Oh and people sue airlines for the most ridiculous thing. Never be surprised at what people feel they should have a go at.

Nothing you can do really. A suitcase fell on my husband’s head recently from an overhead locker, he just got on with his day 🤷‍♀️ Are you expecting compensation or something?

Why all the unpleasant responses? It sounds to me as if OP is worried about concussion or worse.

This thread illustrates MN at its worst.

😂😂😂

Worried about what exactly?

If shes worried about her daughter having concussion why would you ask MN???

Are you sure her headaches aren't from the family fussing about her at age 24 rather than the rogue ski helmet?

I suggest paracetamol x

I think what I would have done in this exact situation is:

Say 'ooh, love, that must have hurt. You ok?'. And then everyone move on with their lives.

It's actually a slam dunk case - there's strict liability for an accident on board a plane if the flight is a Montreal Convention one (which any commercial flight in or out of the UK will be), and something falling from an overhead locker (unless it's your own luggage) counts as an accident under the Convention regime.

Doesn't mean it's worth much or worth suing, but it's not on what the OP has posted a 'non starter'.

Yes I'm surprised people are quite so dismissive

Somebody call the wambulance.

Has no-one suggested “logging it” with the police yet?

But seriously, I think this can be categorised as “shit happens”.

If she thinks she has an injury that requires medical attention, she should go to A&E.

If you are worried a gp would be more help than mn

Sounds like a minor knock on the head but it will be look out for the usual - nausea, headache lasting ages and not getting relief from painkillers etc.

They do usually announce to be careful as things may have moved in transit.

If she thinks she’s concussed go get checked at a hospital.

Firstly you dont know which country she was flying to or from to know which convention applies.

Secondly it is strict liability for injury. But the injury has to be proven (ie the fact she has an injury). Which is what I said originally (medical report). She doesn't just get damages for saying she was injured! Thats not what strict liability means.😆

I used to be cabin crew. I hated those long haul overhead lockers. People were so selfish with them, and crammed heavy bags in, often leaving them sticking out for the crew to close. Most lockers nowadays need pushing up to close and it was back breaking closing ten or fifteen lockers each because the passengers hadn’t. I witnessed a few injuries over the years due to things falling out on people sitting in aisle seats. Occasionally lockers came open during turbulence.