[beesymom]

My then 6 yr. old son got a second degree burn on his foot, we were flying to Europe. I had asked for a cup of tea and my tray was moved accidentaly by other passenger, spilling the water on my son´s foot, he was wearing socks and shoes at the time of the accident. The airline did not have anything for burns in their emergency kit. It took 4 weeks for my son to heal. We lost completely two weeks of our almost 4 week vacation. What was the procedure to follow after this accident? Was the airline at fault? They had to call the paramedics before we landed at the airport. As soon as we landed the paramedics came in to get my son out the airplane and assist him with medical care. The confirm that was a second degree burn. I had to take him to the doctor twice, buy all his medicine and bandages. We were lucky to find a nurse that came to my daugther apartment to change his bandages three times a day for almost two weeks. My son is terrified of anything hot around him, since then he has not taken a bath, only showers, but I have to be there and check the water temperature all the time.

[jimworcs]

This sounds like a terrible accident, but I cannot see how the airline could be held liable for this situation. Tea is served hot and will burn if spilled on skin. The airline and staff had no role in the spillage, and it sounds as if it was simply one of those events which can be put down purely to an unfortunate accident. If you could show that the passenger who moved the tray was negligent, you may have a claim against them, but it is unlikely.

In relation to what is in the First Aid kit, I think it is impossible to have kits which anticipate every need. It sounds as if the airline did their best to help, including arranging for medical help on landing. I assume you rinsed the burn with cold water until then. I think it is one of those life experiences which come under the category of accident.

[beesymom]

Yes, I understand that tea is served with hot water, but remember we were in the plane and is a moving vehicle, that water was hotter than it was suppose to be, probably was over 149 degrees, don't u think? And to cause a second degree burn??

I'm not suing anyone or trying to, but I firmily believe that all airlines should take special precaution on how hot their drinking water is served. I learned my lesson the hard way, not asking for anything hot on any of my flights.

For the emergency kit....every airline should have a little of everything on their emergency kit, they serve hot food, don't they? Accidents happen, and remember this was a 10 hour flight. I always bring my small emergency kit with me, there are some things that I can't carry on my purse for obvious reasons, for example the water gel packet.

[Corbel]

Originally Posted by beesymom

Yes, I understand that tea is served with hot water, but remember we were in the plane and is a moving vehicle, that water was hotter than it was suppose to be, probably was over 149 degrees, don't u think? And to cause a second degree burn??

I'm not suing anyone or trying to, but I firmily believe that all airlines should take special precaution on how hot their drinking water is served. I learned my lesson the hard way, not asking for anything hot on any of my flights.

For the emergency kit....every airline should have a little of everything on their emergency kit, they serve hot food, don't they? Accidents happen, and remember this was a 10 hour flight. I always bring my small emergency kit with me, there are some things that I can't carry on my purse for obvious reasons, for example the water gel packet.

first of all im sorry to hear about what happend to your son on your flight. im a flight attendant and serve hot coffee and tea all the time. on the plane there is no gauge to turn to make the water more hot or more cold. you can carry on a water gel packet if its 3oz or less in a quart size bag. how is your sons foot doing?

[jimworcs]

I understand your upset beesymom, I hope my post was not interpreted and being unsympathetic to your son or his discomfort. I worked in an Emergency room and I have to tell you spilled hot drinks on a childs skin can cause second degree burns. It does not indicate that the temperature was unreasonable. Anyway, it might be worth asking the airline if they can stock the water gel packets on their flights, but it really is very difficult to carry stuff for every eventuality.

[airhead]

I was not a crew member but I remember a time when a Captain came to the operations room where I worked and went through the first aid kit to find a simple bandage and one was not available. The captain told my manager (of the station operations) that when he comes back in the morning from the overnight stay that he expected the first aid kit to be well stocked within the OSHA (I might be wrong on the government branch) standards or he would report it to the proper authorities. The next day, our first aid kit was stocked.

[beesymom]

Originally Posted by Corbel

first of all im sorry to hear about what happend to your son on your flight. im a flight attendant and serve hot coffee and tea all the time. on the plane there is no gauge to turn to make the water more hot or more cold. you can carry on a water gel packet if its 3oz or less in a quart size bag. how is your sons foot doing?

My son's foot is ok now, except for the big scar. Thank you for asking. I misunderstood the flight attendant then, she said that they were out of hot water and was going to heat some for me. Yes, I had the quart size bag and they only allow to bring one. My son doesn't like to chew medicine pills, so I had to bring liquid medicine with me, I didn't have room for more items.

[beesymom]

Originally Posted by airhead

I was not a crew member but I remember a time when a Captain came to the operations room where I worked and went through the first aid kit to find a simple bandage and one was not available. The captain told my manager (of the station operations) that when he comes back in the morning from the overnight stay that he expected the first aid kit to be well stocked within the OSHA (I might be wrong on the government branch) standards or he would report it to the proper authorities. The next day, our first aid kit was stocked.

That's how is suppose to be and that's my point, no matter how short or long the flight is, every single emergency kit SHOULD be well stocked. I keep one in my car and I make sure that has everything in it. I used to bring that with me in the plane, but since 9/11 I could not do it anymore.

[beesymom]

Originally Posted by jimworcs

temperature was unreasonable. Anyway, it might be worth asking the airline if they can stock the water gel packets on their flights, but it really is very difficult to carry stuff for every eventuality.

Unreasonable? I'm not sure about that. Upset? You were implying I was trying to sue the airline. The money won't make my son feel better about what happened to him. I just want the airlines to be more careful, and have their emergency kits well stocked. It is not that difficult, I have one in my car and I make sure that has everything in it.

[airhead]

It is not difficult when one cares to do so. But when those who do not care, such as the management team of the airlines, their is not much motivation to take care of business since I doubt first aid kits are inspected. Perhaps you should write to OSHA about the incident. Heck, write a letter to the local paper too. People need to know about the negligence that goes on in this industry.

[Jetliner]

As far as the first aid part goes, it's not unreasonable to ask that there is something available. However, on the first part - you have a hot liquid in your possession. If this had happened in your car, would you want to sue yourself? You knew it was a hot liquid to begin with, and therefor you needed to excersise better control. Yes it was an accident, and I'm sorry to hear that your son got hurt. I am a father of two young kids. But if I were in that situation, I would not be looking for who else to blame. You said yourself that you were in a moving vehicle.

[Jetliner]

One other thing, the temperature of the water is not something the flight attendants can set. They have no control over that. It is set by the manufacturer of the coffee maker. So it's the same temp as any other airline in the world.

[beesymom]

I'm not blaming or suing anyone. When my son is in the car with me, he seats in the back seat. If I am driving, I don't eat or drink. If I am in the passenger seat and happens to be eating or drinking (I never do it though) still my son will be seating in the back seat.

Don't forget that was a 10 hour flight. My complain is....Why the airline dind't have the necessary emergency supplies? My point is EVERY airline SHOULD have their emergency kit complete for every single flight.

[Jetliner]

To that end, they are actually limited by law. The immediate thing to do for a burn would be to get some ice on it. Other than that, there is not much they can do. There are burn ointments, but keeping it cooled is the best thing to do.

The problem with the first aid kits is they are sealed because they contain certain drugs for life threatening emergencies. If the seal is broken, the kit must be replaced upon landing. I'm not sure right off why there are not other basic supplies separately, but I think the FAA doesn't want another kit on board.