How is this for a tort lawsuit? Artie Hughes says that he enjoying an evening on his deck in Malverne, New York when he and his wife were covered by human waste. A plane taking off from Kennedy airport had released the sludge in taking off.
Police confirmed a plane’s bathroom leaked the waste upon take off. Let’s count the torts, shall we?
First, there is obviously negligence since it is pretty unreasonable to dump human waste from a great height (or any height) on bystanders. While planes have been treated as an ultrahazardous activity (a rather dated view), this is not the risk that makes the activity abnormally dangerous and would not be a valid basis for strict liability. There could however at a negligent per se claim if the airline violated regulations in the maintenance or operation of the aircraft.
Second, there is negligent infliction of emotional distress given the outrageous aspect of this tort. This horrific scene brings to mind the people in Chicago who suddenly found themselves covered in waste after passing under a bridge. It turned out that the bus driver for the Dave Matthews Band decided to release the contents of the sewage tank over the river, not realizing a sightseeing boat was underneath.
Third, there is the possibility (though unlikely) tort of battery. While there is no intent, there could be an argument of substantial certainty in this case.
The question is whether they will be able to establish the aircraft and company. If so, I would recommend a quick settlement.
Source: CBS
This is precisely why I listen to Cypress Hill’s 1993 album, Black Sunday and this choice hip-hop cut:
Pete,
Weren’t they….
must have thought they were over jersey.
I’ll bet they are given at least 100 frequent flyer points as compensation!
Yikes! That airline would need to pay me alot of green if they dumped on me! Yeek!
Gives a new meaning to “Blue Skys”……..
Do that when you fly over Indiana.
SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) doesn’t hold tight very well, that’s why they excrete at eacg groundstop.
As for Black Plague, there was a short story about a girl then who let herself be infected and then had sex with a vampire to extinguish that group.
Apparently she also had a taste for normal people.
“Black Plague Airlines” … I like it!
Just one more reason to settle quickly
That is what they did in the dark ages in Europe … pour the buckets into the streets from upper stories.
Black Plague Airlines.