Singer Sues Singapore Airlines Over Vocal Cord Damage From Satay Skewer
A professional singer and actress has initiated legal action against Singapore Airlines, alleging permanent vocal cord damage after inadvertently swallowing a splinter from a chicken satay skewer during a Business Class flight in July 2024. The lawsuit, filed in a US court, seeks compensation for professional harm and ongoing discomfort.
Alleged Injury on Singapore Airlines Flight
Briohny Smyth, a professional singer, actress, and wellness educator from Los Angeles, claims she sustained vocal cord scarring during a Singapore Airlines Business Class flight from Singapore to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on July 28, 2024.
According to Smyth, while consuming the airline's chicken satay service on flight SQ-36, she swallowed a 1.5-inch splinter from a wooden skewer. Smyth states the splinter became lodged in her throat, causing her to cough and choke before she could expel it.
She attributes persistent throat discomfort, raspiness, and pain during prolonged singing or speaking to this incident, which she alleges has resulted in lasting damage to her vocal cords.
Lawsuit Cites Montreal Convention
A lawsuit against Singapore Airlines has been filed by Smyth in the U.S. District Court for Central California, seeking compensation up to $176,000. The legal action invokes Article 17 of the Montreal Convention, an international treaty that establishes airline liability for passenger injuries sustained during international air travel.
Under Article 17, airlines cannot limit their liability for claims up to 128,821 Special Drawing Rights (SDR), a monetary instrument from the International Monetary Fund. This amount currently equates to approximately $176,000.
While passengers can claim sums exceeding this limit, airlines may avoid higher payouts by demonstrating the injury was not due to their negligence or was solely the fault of a third party. Smyth's complaint does not specify if her claim surpasses the 128,821 SDR threshold.
Professional Impact and Broader Implications
Smyth, whose professions include yoga teaching, wellness education, singing, and performing, asserts that the alleged injury has led to professional harm and a loss of earnings. She also reports ongoing physical pain and heightened anxiety regarding eating while flying. Singapore Airlines has not yet issued a public statement regarding the lawsuit.
The chicken satay course is a recognised feature of Singapore Airlines' Business Class offering, with flight attendants serving skewers from display carts prior to the main meal.
This type of claim, under Article 17 of the Montreal Convention, often prompts airlines to settle out of court, aiming to prevent legal precedents that could encourage a rise in similar liability actions. Past Article 17 claims have included burns from hot beverages, injuries from beverage carts, falling luggage, and back injuries from hard landings.
What This Means for Travellers and the Industry
This lawsuit highlights the potential liability airlines face for incidents involving in-flight meal service, particularly those affecting passenger health and professional capacity. For travellers, it reinforces the importance of diligence during meal consumption on flights and awareness of passenger rights under international conventions like the Montreal Convention.
For the aviation industry, the case demonstrates a potential area of risk beyond more common injury claims. Singapore Airlines' response, or any eventual settlement, will be closely observed by other carriers.
The outcome could influence how airlines manage their in-flight dining provisions and passenger safety protocols, particularly concerning the materials used for serving utensils and food presentation.
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