Being a flight attendant may seem exciting – but the job does come with several health and safety risks. Malaysian Durairaj Santiran previously worked with Singapore Airlines (SIA) as a flight steward but suffered an injury during a flight in 2019. He is now suing the airline SGD1.7 million (approximately RM6 million) for damages.
The 36-year-old claimed he noticed a patch of grease on the floor of the economy-class galley while on duty on a flight from San Francisco to Singapore on 6th September 2019. About two and a half hours before landing, Durairaj slipped on the grease patch and fell on his back. He also hit his head on the floor and suffered injuries to his spine. He claimed he was deemed medically unfit to continue working as a flight steward because of the injury.
Durairaj worked with Singapore Airlines from April 2016 to April 2021 but now works as a customer car analyst in Malaysia after his injury. In his lawsuit against the airline, he alleges that his former employer was negligent in allowing the workplace to be unsafe and caused his injury. According to reports, the Malaysian is seeking compensation totalling SGD1.7 million. The damages he sought include SGD1.29 million (~RM4.6 million) for loss of future earnings, SGD30,000 (~RM106,000) for loss of earning capacity and SGD150,000 (~RM531,000) for future medical and transport expenses.
Singapore Airlines has denied Durairaj’s claims. The airline’s lawyers said that SIA pays all valid and legitimate claims made by employees but responds “firmly” to invalid, illegitimate and false claims. The lawyers added that the airline treats Durairaj’s claim as highly questionable. They also highlighted that the ex-staff made two previous work injury claims for back and neck injuries. These claims led the airline to believe the 2019 incident happened due to pre-existing injuries. SIA also pointed out that the former steward’s claims in court regarding the incident were inconsistent as they differed from his affidavit.
What do you think about this lawsuit? Do you believe Durairaj’s claims? Or do you side with Singapore Airlines in this situation?
Sources: The Strait Times
