Doctor in the US files lawsuit against Singapore Airlines for allergic reaction to shrimp dish

Doctor Sues Singapore Airlines Over Allergy Incident

A doctor in New York has filed a lawsuit against Singapore Airlines, claiming she experienced a severe allergic reaction to shrimp served on a flight from Germany to New York. The complaint centers around what the doctor refers to as “negligence” on the part of the airline.

This incident allegedly forced the pilot to make an emergency landing in Paris, which must have been quite a stressful situation for everyone on board.

The lawsuit was submitted to the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York and is named after Dr. Doleen Benary, who is 41 years old. She contends that the airline failed to heed her warnings about her shellfish allergy during the Frankfurt to New York flight on October 8.

According to reports, Dr. Benary had cautioned the flight crew about her food allergies when boarding. Shellfish allergies can be particularly dangerous, sometimes leading to anaphylactic shock—a life-threatening emergency that restricts airflow.

Despite her warning, she was served a meal that contained shrimp. Dr. Benary expressed her surprise, saying, “I didn’t realize that the meal she was being served was shrimp… until she took some,” noting that she began to feel unwell shortly after.

After realizing the mistake, a flight attendant reportedly confirmed the presence of shrimp in her meal and apologized for the oversight.

Unfortunately, Dr. Benary’s condition deteriorated severely, prompting the need for medical assistance upon landing in Paris. Passengers then faced a lengthy experience of emergency medical care in two different facilities, which must have been quite harrowing.

The complaint emphasizes that the cabin crew has a responsibility to act on any information regarding a passenger’s allergies. It highlights a duty of care—essentially underscoring that when alerted to such allergies, measures should be taken to avoid serving those allergens.

Dr. Benary has claimed to have endured significant physical and emotional distress, in addition to both economic and non-economic losses, and is seeking full and fair compensation for her ordeal.