The lawyers representing the passengers onboard SQ321 on 20 May have responded to Singapore Airlines offer of compensation which was announced earlier today.
The airline said it has offered US$10,000 in compensation to passengers who sustained minor injuries from the incident.
For those who sustained more serious injuries from the incident, the airline have invited them to discuss a compensation offer to meet each of their specific circumstances when they feel well and ready to do so.
In addition to the above, SIA will provide a full refund of the air fare to all passengers travelling on SQ321 on 20 May 2024, including those who did not suffer any injuries. All passengers will also receive delay compensation in accordance with the relevant European Union or United Kingdom regulations.
He said refunding of ticket price, compensation for the delay is in accordance with the EU regulation and a refund of medical expenses “go without saying.”
“Making these payments – that the airline says are a gesture of goodwill – are a legal obligation,” Carter said.
“The offer of putting USD$25000 to seriously injured passengers to cover interim expenses is very welcome. This is a good move on behalf of the insurer.”
“I doubt there is anyone on the aircraft who did not suffer an injury one way or the other. The insurer should clarify that the $10,000 offer covers all passengers including those who endured the terror of the moment but were fortunate to escape physical injury,” he said.
“All passengers should seek legal advice before signing anything with the airline. Those with any sort of injury should exercise extreme care and should be evaluated by their own medical specialists to determine how this accident might still affect them.
“Our working theory remains that this incident could have been avoided and therefore some fault lies with Singapore Airlines. Our team, which includes very experienced airline captains, believes there is evidence to suggest that the aircraft flew through the top of a thunderstorm or in close proximity to one as it passed over an area notorious for thunderstorm activity in the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone.
“I suspect Singapore Airlines knows the investigation will very soon publicly reveal exactly that, and this announcement is timed to counter some of the negative effects of that very embarrassing disclosure,” he said.
