Ladue, Mo., Woman Sues American Airlines Over Water Burns
Elfriede Olney, 71, said the accident happened in August 2004 when an American flight attendant served hot water for her tea in a paper cup.
The water spilled on Olney as it was being passed across a row of passengers, causing scalding injuries to her thorax, stomach, thighs and left arm, according to a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in St. Louis. AMR Corp., the corporate parent of American, is named as a defendant in the case.
American said it could not comment on a pending lawsuit.
James E. Hullverson Jr., a lawyer for Olney, said American Airlines apologized for the accident. Hullverson said he was confident the two parties will reach an agreement.
"We're hopeful we can resolve this quickly," he said.
The medical treatment for Olney's burns cost thousands of dollars, the lawsuit said. Medicare paid for some of Olney's treatment. But United Healthcare, contracted by Medicare to administer the plan, hired Ingenix Inc. to recover the medical benefits paid on behalf of Olney, the lawsuit said.
Ingenix filed a claim for reimbursement in late July, according to the lawsuit. Hullverson said the federal government, under Medicare, wants to recover the money it paid out for Olney's treatment. Ingenix is named as the other defendant in the lawsuit.
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