by A Qatar Airways flight attendant is being accused of “mocking” a mother’s allergy warnings before allegedly giving her 3-year-old daughter a chocolate bar containing dairy — triggering a life-threatening allergic reaction that sent the child to the ICU, according to a $5 million lawsuit.
Mom Says Airline Ignored Repeated Allergy Warnings
The lawsuit, filed October 31 in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, claims that North Carolina resident Swetha Neerukonda had repeatedly warned the flight crew that her daughter had severe dairy and nut allergies before boarding Qatar Airways Flight QR710 from Washington Dulles International Airport to Doha, Qatar, on April 9.
According to the complaint, Neerukonda reminded the crew several times throughout the 14-hour flight about her child’s allergies. But when she stepped away to use the restroom, a flight attendant allegedly offered the toddler a Kit Kat bar — a candy that contains milk.
When Neerukonda returned, she reportedly found her daughter eating the chocolate and confronted the flight attendant, who admitted to giving the snack and allegedly “mocked and mitigated” the mother’s concerns.
Toddler Suffers Anaphylactic Shock Mid-Flight
Soon after, the little girl began to experience anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that caused her oxygen levels to plummet and her vital signs to deteriorate, the suit states.
“It’s inconceivable — they take it upon themselves to give the child the allergen?” said attorney Abram Bohrer, who represents Neerukonda. “This was a very serious, life-threatening situation.”
Neerukonda reportedly administered an EpiPen herself while the crew failed to follow emergency protocols. The complaint alleges that no public address announcement was made to call for medical help on board, despite airline procedures requiring it.
Child Rushed to ICU After Landing
The toddler’s condition stabilized enough to reach Hamad International Airport in Doha, where they caught a connecting flight to India. But once they arrived, the child suffered a second anaphylactic episode and was immediately rushed to the hospital. She spent two days in the intensive care unit before being stabilized.
Lawsuit Claims Negligence and Indifference
The $5 million lawsuit accuses Qatar Airways of negligence, emotional distress, and breach of duty of care, asserting that the airline failed to protect a known allergic passenger and did not provide proper medical assistance during the crisis.
Bohrer said the airline’s crew showed “indifference” during the emergency instead of seeking medical guidance or calling for a doctor on board.
“You’d think they would jump into action, calling for ground-based telemedicine support or asking for a doctor,” Bohrer told The Independent. “But they were somewhat blasé, very indifferent.”
The complaint also alleges that when Neerukonda attempted to speak with another passenger she believed witnessed the incident, a flight attendant intervened, claiming such communication violated airline policy.
Read Also: Woman Wants $150 After Friend’s Boyfriend Has Accident on Her Couch — His Reaction Stuns Her
Qatar Airways Yet to Respond
Qatar Airways has not yet filed a formal response or issued a public comment regarding the case.
The incident has reignited debate about airline allergy policies. The Federal Aviation Administration does not require planes to carry EpiPens, though they must have vials of epinephrine that only a trained medical professional can administer, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
Neerukonda is seeking a jury trial, $5 million in damages, and compensation for legal fees and court costs.
Do you think airlines should be held legally responsible when passengers suffer allergic reactions on board? Share your thoughts in the comments at mikeandjonpodcast.com.
