CLEVELAND, Ohio (WCMH) – A passenger on British Airways is suing the airlines, claiming he suffered an injury and loss of earnings from having to sit next to an obese passenger on a 12-hour flight.
According to CNN, Stephen Prosser, 51, from South Wales, told Pontypridd County Court on Friday that British Airways cabin crew ignored his warnings he would be injured if he was forced to sit next to the man, the Press Association reported.
Prosser, a freelance civil engineer, said the person was extremely large, weighing more than 300 pounds.
CNN reports, Prosser said, “He was that large that he had to force his buttocks between the armrests of the seats.”
Prosser went on to say part of the man’s body was spilling over into his seat.
“I was immediately aware that this was going to be problematic for me and I could feel the weight of his pure bulk putting lateral pressure on my upper body. This forced me into a position of unnatural posture,” PA reported him as saying.
Prosser, who is 5 foot 3, claims he suffered nerve damage and a pelvic injury, leaving him with a continual back spasm.
He added that he had to visit a chiropractor for two years and to limit his work for three months.
Prosser said he complained to the crew but was told there were no other seats on the Boeing 777.
A spokeswoman for British Airways said the company is resisting the claims, but declined to comment further, the BBC said.