Non-veg given to 85-year-old wage passenger in flight, FIR lodged against Qatar Airways after death

Ashok Jayaweera, an 85-year-old vegetarian passenger, died suddenly of suffocation during a flight on a Qatar Airways flight after he was served non-vegetarian food even though he had pre-ordered a vegetarian option. Jayaweera, a retired cardiologist from Southern California, was instructed by flight crew to eat something other than the meat included in his regular diet. The incident occurred on June 30, 2023, on a Qatar Airways flight from Los Angeles to Colombo. Jayaweera had specifically requested vegetarian food for the 15.5-hour journey, but the flight attendant reportedly told him that no vegetarian food was available. Instead, they were served a standard non-vegetarian meal andIt was advised not to eat non-vegetarian food.

While trying to follow instructions, the man began suffocating and became unconscious. The flight crew tried to help him and MedAir’s remote medical advisors were consulted. Despite their efforts, his condition deteriorated. The flight eventually landed in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was taken to hospital and later declared dead on August 3, 2023, from aspiration pneumonia, a lung infection caused by accidentally inhaling food or liquid.

Jayaweera’s son, Surya Jayaweera, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Qatar Airways, alleging negligence in food service and medical assistance. The lawsuit claims the airline did not provide pre-ordered vegetarian meals and did not take appropriate action in the event of a medical emergency. Surya is seeking damages of US$128,821, the minimum statutory amount for negligence and wrongful death.

The complaint also notes that Qatar and the United States are signatories to the Montreal Convention, an international treaty governing airline liability. Under the convention, Qatar Airways is subject to a statutory payout limit of approximately $175,000 for claims for death and injury on board aircraft. The complaint states, “Qatar and the United States are members of the Montreal Convention and thus Qatar is subject to the rules of the Convention and accepts strict liability for personal injury or wrongful death resulting from an accident in international flight.