High Court DVT ruling is bad news for airlines

Thursday, 01 Feb, 2002 0

The High Court said yesterday that a class action lawsuit by deep vein thrombosis victims can go ahead.

The decision means that airlines could end up paying out millions of pounds in damages to people who claim they got blood clots due to the cramped conditions on long-haul flights.

Aviation Health Institute director Farrol Kahn told TravelMole: “It is a very important ruling. The only way airlines will take any notice of passenger health is either through legislation or litigation. Airlines are still claiming there is no link [between DVT and air travel] but the fact is that this problem has been around since 1968 and they are in a state of denial. This action might change that.”

Commenting on the ruling British Airways said: “The group litigation order will serve to provide greater clarity in terms of the process, procedures and timetable for the court’s handling of future claims.”

A BA spokeswoman added: “We sympathise with any victim of DVT but there is no proven link between flying and DVT. Clearly immobility is a factor and we combat that by encouraging customers to drink water and move around the cabin. There is information about cabin exercises in the ticket wallet and on an onboard video.”

Recent reports have suggested that there might be a link between a fear of flying and DVT as high adrenalin levels make blood more likely to clot. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is currently undertaking a large-scale investigation into DVT, which is expected to take at least two years to complete.

Pending the publication of the report, WHO recommends that airline passengers reduce alcohol intake, drink adequate fluids, wear loose clothing and perform leg exercises while seated.

See our previous stories:

30 Nov 2001 Pregnant women advised to seek medical advice before flying

29 Oct 2001 Beleaguered BA and Virgin now face DVT action

20 Aug 2001 World Health Org: DVT research needed “without delay”

03 May 2001 Emirates dismisses claims that anti-DVT device is too noisy