UK: Decision allows 70 people to claim damages after crash landing in Spain
Passengers have been given the go-ahead to sue Thomson Holidays after they were caused “psychological distress” when their plane crash-landed in Spain.
Some 70 holidaymakers have been given leave to sue the company because the aircraft they were on crash-landed at Gerona airport after flying from Cardiff. The plane broke into three pieces on landing, and while there were few injuries many of the claimants say they were psychologically affected by the incident and some claim to still have nightmares more than three years afterwards.
According to The Independent, Judge Graham Jones ruled against Thompson because the company “had not clearly stated the limit of its liability for such injuries in its conditions of business”. The solicitor representing the passengers said the decision was a “huge step forwards” for the group.
The Independent speculates that the judgement could mean trouble for airlines and holiday companies because it will allow passengers to sue for “psychological distress caused by a very bumpy landing or an in-flight emergency”.
