Doctor sues Singapore Airlines in a case that has captured international attention, as a New York-based physician, Dr. Doreen Benary, filed a lawsuit alleging negligence after suffering a severe allergic reaction mid-flight. The incident occurred on October 8 during a long-haul Singapore Airlines flight SQ026 from Frankfurt, Germany, to New York.
Despite informing the crew of her serious shellfish allergy before takeoff, Dr. Benary was served a shrimp-containing meal in business class, triggering a violent reaction that forced the plane to divert to Paris for emergency medical care.
Dr. Benary’s complaint, lodged in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York, underscores not only the dire consequences of neglecting allergy warnings but also raises questions about airline accountability and the safeguards in place for passengers with life-threatening health conditions.
The lawsuit highlights a deeply troubling oversight by Singapore Airlines, a carrier often lauded for its premium service and safety standards. What was expected to be a routine flight turned into a traumatic ordeal, as Dr. Doreen Benary reportedly became violently ill after ingesting the contaminated meal. Her suffering didn’t end there—she required immediate emergency treatment at two medical facilities in France and claims to continue enduring both physical and psychological repercussions.
This lawsuit brings to light broader concerns about airline food safety protocols, passenger rights, and the systems in place to prevent such incidents. The case is particularly concerning because shellfish allergies are well-known to be among the most dangerous, with the potential to cause anaphylactic shock—a condition that can rapidly become fatal if not treated promptly. With more and more passengers traveling with dietary restrictions or medical needs, the incident prompts an urgent reevaluation of airline policies and staff training procedures.
Doctor Sues Singapore Airlines
According to court documents, Dr. Benary took appropriate measures to inform the flight crew of her allergy before the flight even left the ground. Upon boarding the aircraft, she reportedly alerted the crew that she had a serious allergy to shrimp and requested that no shellfish-containing meals be served to her. It is a common procedure on international flights for passengers with allergies to disclose their conditions in advance, often during the booking process or at check-in, to ensure their needs are accommodated.
Despite this proactive warning, a flight attendant reportedly served Dr. Doreen Benary a meal that included shrimp. The physician, unaware of the meal’s ingredients, consumed a portion before detecting the presence of shrimp. Once she realized what had happened, she began to feel sick and asked the crew whether the food contained shrimp. A flight attendant then admitted the mistake and apologized, but the damage had already been done.
The reaction Dr. Doreen Benary experienced was swift and severe. Shellfish allergies, particularly those involving crustaceans like shrimp, can trigger a cascade of symptoms including difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat and tongue, hives, vomiting, and in severe cases, a sudden drop in blood pressure. These symptoms can escalate into full-blown anaphylaxis within minutes.
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Dr. Benary’s condition worsened rapidly, according to her lawsuit. She fell violently ill on the plane, prompting the crew to initiate emergency medical procedures and ultimately divert the aircraft to Paris. The plane made an unplanned landing in the French capital so she could receive critical care. This mid-air emergency not only disrupted the travel of hundreds of passengers but also posed a serious risk to the life of a medical professional who had taken all reasonable precautions.
The Legal Complaint and Its Implications
The legal complaint filed by Dr. Doreen Benary is focused on the notion of negligence. Her lawyers argue that it is the airline’s responsibility—and specifically that of the cabin crew—to ensure the safety of all passengers, especially when a health condition like a food allergy is clearly communicated.
The complaint states that “when a cabin crew member was placed on notice of a passenger’s food allergy, said crew member had a duty of care to ensure that meals containing such allergens or their ingredients were not served to that particular passenger.”
This duty of care, central to the lawsuit, extends beyond simple customer service. It involves rigorous attention to detail, training, and coordination among the catering staff, flight attendants, and supervisors to ensure that known allergens are not inadvertently served. The lawsuit accuses Singapore Airlines of failing in this obligation, causing the plaintiff to endure “great pain, agony and mental anguish,” as well as financial losses stemming from medical treatment and emotional trauma.
It is worth noting that Dr. Benary, as a medical professional, would have recognized the signs of an allergic reaction early and likely taken any available countermeasures such as using an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen). Yet even with such steps, the incident was severe enough to warrant an emergency landing—an extreme and rare measure that illustrates just how serious the situation became.
She is now seeking what the lawsuit describes as “full, fair and reasonable” compensation. The amount will be determined at trial, but the case already raises important questions about how airlines train their crews to handle medical disclosures and whether current protocols are sufficient in the high-stakes environment of commercial aviation.
A Wake-Up Call for the Airline Industry
While food allergy incidents on flights are not unheard of, this case involving Singapore Airlines is especially high-profile given the dramatic outcome and the stature of both the airline and the plaintiff. Singapore Airlines is consistently ranked among the world’s best carriers, renowned for its attention to detail and luxurious service. Yet, this incident demonstrates that even top-tier airlines are not immune to lapses that can result in life-threatening consequences.
The aviation industry faces a unique challenge when it comes to allergies. In the confined, high-altitude environment of an aircraft, access to emergency care is limited and response time is crucial. Crew members are trained in basic first aid and are often provided with medical kits and guidance from ground-based physicians. However, there is growing concern that this training may not go far enough in preparing staff to manage food allergies with the seriousness they demand.
Allergy advocacy groups have long argued that airlines should be required to adopt stricter food handling policies, offer allergen-free meals on request, and perhaps even consider allergy-free zones or more transparent food labeling. Some suggest that passengers with severe allergies should be allowed to pre-board and disinfect their seating areas, or even be permitted to bring their own food without restrictions. However, implementation of such practices varies widely between airlines and countries.
The lawsuit brought by Dr. Benary may act as a catalyst for change. If the court rules in her favor, it could set a precedent that forces airlines to reevaluate and reinforce their internal policies regarding allergen management. It may also push for improved communication between airline catering services and cabin crews, which is often cited as a weak point in the delivery chain.
Singapore Airlines, for its part, has declined to comment on the case, citing its policy on ongoing legal matters. The airline’s silence is understandable from a legal standpoint but has done little to quell public scrutiny. In the court of public opinion, this case is already prompting discussions about the vulnerability of passengers with medical conditions and the systemic changes required to protect them.
Ultimately, this incident is not merely about one individual’s tragic experience; it’s a cautionary tale for the aviation industry at large. With an increasing number of people traveling with specific dietary needs—be they due to allergies, religious beliefs, or personal preferences—it is imperative that airlines develop robust systems to accommodate them safely.
The story of Dr. Doreen Benary and Singapore Airlines serves as a stark reminder that even a single mistake, no matter how small, can have catastrophic consequences in the air. As the legal proceedings unfold, the world will be watching closely, hoping for justice—and perhaps, change.