ATLANTA— Delta Air Lines (DL) is once again facing legal action after a passenger claims he suffered severe spinal injuries when struck by a beverage cart during a flight.
The incident occurred on a November 2022 service from Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), raising questions about the safety of in-flight cart operations after multiple lawsuits against the airline, PYOK flagged.
Photo-Delta News Hub | FlickrDelta Faces New Lawsuit
Christopher Harris, a New York resident and former construction business owner, filed his lawsuit in a Michigan district court. He alleges that two flight attendants operated a cart recklessly aboard a Delta Boeing 737 on November 16, 2022, striking his extended leg while he was seated in an aisle seat.
Harris says the impact caused immediate pain, swelling, and numbness in his leg. After being wheeled out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) in a wheelchair, medical evaluations revealed spinal disc protrusions and nerve impingement.
His orthopedic surgeon later determined surgery would not improve his condition, leaving Harris reliant on long-term pain management and rehabilitation.
The lawsuit claims negligence, accusing one flight attendant of pulling the cart backward without a clear line of sight and failing to provide warnings to passengers. Harris argues these actions directly caused his permanent injuries, which forced the closure of his construction company.
Photo: DeltaPattern of Beverage Cart-Related Incidents
What makes this case significant is that it is not isolated. Delta Air Lines (DL) has faced at least three lawsuits in less than a year linked to beverage cart injuries.
In August 2022, Gail Hamilton of Florida sued after sustaining a shoulder injury during an international flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). She alleged a flight attendant repeatedly struck her with a loaded beverage cart. Delta denied responsibility but later settled the case in April 2024.
Another case emerged in June 2023 when Gerald Goldstein claimed serious knee injuries on a connecting Delta flight from Florida to Rome Fiumicino International Airport (FCO). That case also ended in a confidential settlement.
These repeated lawsuits highlight a growing legal trend: passengers pursuing claims against airlines for in-flight cart-related injuries, despite the industry treating such incidents as common.
Photo- DeltaThe Montreal Convention and Airline Liability
International cases like Hamilton’s and Goldstein’s were governed by the Montreal Convention, a treaty that holds airlines strictly liable for injuries sustained during international flights.
For airlines, the most common defense is arguing that a passenger’s own negligence caused or worsened the incident—for example, sitting with legs extended into the aisle.
However, many airlines, including Delta, prefer confidential settlements over jury trials. This pattern limits the development of clear legal precedent on whether airlines can consistently be held responsible for beverage cart injuries.
Photo: Delta Air LinesBottom Line
Harris’s lawsuit adds to the debate about whether airlines should introduce stricter safety protocols for beverage cart handling.
Cabin crew already face narrow aisles and limited maneuverability, but repeated injury cases suggest potential gaps in passenger protection.
Whether through legal rulings or internal policy changes, these incidents are likely to pressure airlines to reassess how carts are moved and whether clearer warnings should be issued to passengers seated in aisle seats.
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The post Delta Faces New Lawsuit Over Passenger Injuries From Beverage Carts appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
