Woman sues Aer Lingus over 2019 foot fracture at Dublin Airport

A 66‑year‑old woman from Craughwell, Co Galway, has taken Aer Lingus to the High Court over a serious ankle injury she sustained while disembarking from Flight EI 611 from Amsterdam on 22 September 2019.

Deirdre Burke claims she stepped onto mobile stairs that were lower than the aircraft floor in near total darkness, causing her to misplace her foot and suffer a severe fracture‑dislocation of her right ankle. She required open‑reduction surgery and a metal plate, and an X‑ray in 2021 showed arthritis in the area.

Burke’s counsel, Damien Higgins of MacSweeney Solicitors, says she now experiences complex regional pain syndrome, has difficulty walking, and needs a walking stick. The claim estimates she will need six hours of domestic assistance each week in the future, whereas Aer Lingus argues one hour per week is sufficient.

The court was told liability is not contested; the proceedings focus on assessing damages. Judge Paul Coffey adjourned the case to Wednesday and urged both parties to continue dialogue.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Holger Rockenmayer / Pexels.