Lawsuit Filed Against Qatar Airways After Passenger Chokes on Wrong Meal

Qatar Airways is facing a wrongful death lawsuit in a California federal court following the death of an 85-year-old passenger who choked on a non-vegetarian meal during a July 2023 flight from Los Angeles to Colombo. Dr Asoka Jayaweera, a retired cardiologist from Southern California and a lifelong vegetarian, had pre-ordered a special meal but was allegedly served the standard option, leading to the tragic incident. The lawsuit, filed by his son Surya Jayaweera, accuses the airline of negligence in meal service and emergency response, highlighting broader concerns over in-flight food safety protocols.

The incident unfolded mid-flight when Jayaweera, adhering to his strict vegetarian diet, was advised by the crew to "eat around" the meat in the provided meal. While attempting to comply, he began choking, lost consciousness, and could not be revived despite onboard interventions and remote assistance from MedAire, an in-flight medical service. The pilot opted against an emergency diversion, citing the plane's location over the Arctic Circle, though flight data reviewed by the family indicates it was over the U.S. Midwest at the time, where airports were accessible. The aircraft eventually landed in Edinburgh, Scotland, hours later, and Jayaweera was rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed to aspiration pneumonia on August 3, 2023—an often fatal condition caused by inhaling food or liquid into the lungs.

Jayaweera's lawsuit invokes the Montreal Convention, a 1999 international treaty ratified by over 130 countries, including Qatar and the United States, which governs airline liability for passenger injuries or deaths. Under the convention, compensation is capped at approximately $175,000, though plaintiffs can seek additional damages for negligence. The complaint alleges the airline breached its duty of care by failing to honour the pre-booked vegetarian request and mishandling the medical emergency, potentially violating standards set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for special meals and allergen management.

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This case draws parallels to other high-profile in-flight incidents, including complaints against Qatar Airways by British reality TV star Jack Fowler, who claimed he nearly died from an allergic reaction after being served nuts despite prior notifications. Similarly, a Singapore Airlines flight diverted to Paris in 2024 after a passenger with a shellfish allergy received shrimp. As air travel volumes rebound post-pandemic, such lawsuits underscore the growing scrutiny on airlines to accommodate dietary needs and ensure rapid emergency responses. Qatar Airways has not publicly commented on the suit, and the case remains in early stages as discovery proceeds.

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