Bali tourist sues Jetstar after 'slipping in a puddle in a plane bathroom and hurting his knee - before a flight attendant asked him if he'd cleaned up the mess himself'
- Man seeking damages from Jetstar for permanent knee injury suffered on flight
- Richard Pearson slipped in a plane toilet while flying from Bali to Melbourne
- Claims he has suffered mental and physical injuries since the incident in 2016
- Jetstar refutes Mr Pearson’s claim and will defend the matter in court this month
A passenger is suing Jetstar for $220,000 amid claims he suffered a permanent knee injury when he slipped in the toilet during an international flight.
Melbourne man Richard Pearson, 58, also claims he suffered mental injuries and depression as a result of the alleged incident two years ago.
He was flying home from Bali to Melbourne with his wife and child in the early hours of September 7, 2016, when he walked up to the rear toilets in the Boeing 787.
He stepped into a 'large puddle' of water and slipped when he entered the toilet, according to his statement of claim filed in the Federal Court in Melbourne.
A passenger is suing Jetstar (file image) for a permanent injury he suffered on a flight
'[Mr Pearson's] right foot then began to splay outwards towards the right with his right knee going in the opposite direction to his left knee as his right foot slid along the lavatory floor,' the statement of claim seen by Daily Mail Australia states.
'He then slammed into vanity unit and rotated his right ankle more than 90 degrees. At the time, he heard his right knee pop and immediately felt pain in his right leg.'
Mr Pearson was unable to place any weight on his right foot and called out for help from the cabin crew, who assisted the passenger in returning to his seat.
He claimed he was then 'asked pointedly' by cabin crew whether he cleaned up the puddle of water.
Melbourne man Richard Pearson is suing the airline for damage after he slipped in a puddle of water in a plane toilet (stock image)
'The cabin crew then refused to prepare an incident report and informed the applicant (Mr Pearson) that he would have to inform the respondent of his injuries using the website after the conclusion of the flight,' the statement of claim states.
'At no time was there any warning given by the cabin crew of the existence of a puddle of water in one of aircraft lavatories prior to the applicant (Mr Pearson) suffering his injuries.'
Mr Pearson claims he continues to endure pain and suffering since the alleged incident and was left with a permanent disability.
He also claimed he has lost income and will lose superannuation entitlements, according to the statement of claim.
Richard Pearson and his family were flying home from Bali (stock image) when the alleged incident happened in September 2016
Shine Lawyers told Daily Mail Australia that the accident was preventable.
'Our client suffered significant injuries to his knee and we believe that he should be compensated for the loss of his wellbeing and livelihood as a result of this accident occurring,' Shine Lawyers solicitor Sara Kaurin said.
In a defence filed to court, Jetstar claims Mr Pearson failed to take reasonable care of his own safety and that his injuries were caused or contributed to by his own negligence.
'We dispute Mr Pearson’s claim and will be defending the matter in court,' a Jetstar spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.
The case will be heard in the Federal Court in Melbourne on January 25.
A statement of claim filed in the Federal Court claims the incident occurred on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner flying from Bali to Melbourne (stock image)
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