A California couple is suing JetBlue for $1 million, alleging that a huge chew of ice from some of the airline’s planes crashed during the ceiling proper over their mattress.
Consistent with courtroom paperwork reviewed via CBS Information, Michael Reese and Leah Ferrarini had been napping in mattress on Jan. 1, 2024 when a “huge block of ice” got here during the roof. The lawsuit claims the chew of ice was once “the dimensions of a watermelon” and the couple “slightly (escaped) devastating bodily harm.” Police and the fireplace division had been known as to the house.
An investigation via the Federal Aviation Management discovered the airplane had a historical past of potable water problems, going again to July 2023, the lawsuit mentioned, and the similar plane was once suspected to have dropped ice on a Massachusetts home in August 2023.
The swimsuit alleges that JetBlue did not “examine and right kind the issues” inflicting the water problems and falling ice blocks. On January 11, 2024, 10 days after the ice fell at the plaintiff’s house, the airplane was once flagged so its potable water gadget valve and drain may well be got rid of and inspected, the lawsuit mentioned. The airplane was once got rid of from carrier in February 2024 for upkeep, in keeping with the lawsuit.
“JetBlue were on understand for months previous to January 1, 2024, but did not habits an investigation as to the issues with the potable water gadget valve and drain,” the lawsuit mentioned. “Had JetBlue carried out so after being on understand that there was once an issue as early as July 2023, the release of the massive block of ice on Plaintiffs’ house shouldn’t have passed off.”
CBS Information reached out JetBlue for remark. The corporate didn’t right away reply.
Consistent with the lawsuit, the chew of ice brought about “intensive injury” to the roof, and the couple have “suffered critical emotional misery” which they mentioned led to insomnia that has led Reese, a industrial motive force, to show down paintings. The pair mentioned they have got additionally each attended treatment on account of the incident. Each plaintiffs have transform “frightened and depressed” and feature a relentless concern that their house is also struck once more, the lawsuit mentioned. Planes cross over the house each and every 5 mins, the lawsuit mentioned, and so they now “balk in concern with each and every airplane” that flies overhead. The pair are taking into consideration shifting, even if they believe their present place of dwelling “their dream house.”
The couple is suing JetBlue for negligence, in keeping with the lawsuit, and for trespassing.
“JetBlue knew or must have identified that there were (a) prior example of ice falling from the plane at factor … and {that a} thorough inspection and investigation of the potable water servicing gadget would have found out a defect within the valve which was once inflicting a leak and the ice shedding from the plane at factor,” the lawsuit mentioned.
The couple are soliciting for a jury trial at the fees. Ferrarini and Reese are soliciting for $360,000 for assets damages, $40,000 in scientific bills, $300,000 for emotional misery, and $300,000 for ache, struggling and inconvenience, in keeping with courtroom paperwork.
An legal professional representing Reese and Ferrarini additionally didn’t right away reply to a request for remark.
