American Airlines hit back at ex-Shropshire councillor suing over 'turbulence brain injury'
A former Shropshire councillor who is suing the world's biggest airline has been dealt a hammer blow after it filed its defence with the Supreme Court in Australia.
Maxwell Winchester claimed that he suffered serious brain injuries during a flight on February 27 between Guadalajara, Mexico and the American state of Arizona when the plane experienced severe turbulence.
It said that the former senior lecturer at Harper Adams University in Newport failed to secure his seat when warned of turbulence and failed to have his seat belt "appropriately secured". It claims he also declined medical help when it was offered to him.
Dr Winchester, 44, claims he suffered a brain injury, similar to that suffered by babies who have experienced shaken baby syndrome. He says he also suffered injuries to his head and neck, lower and upper back as well as whiplash, concussion, headaches, post-concussive syndrome, tinnitus, vertigo, hearing loss and problems to his vision.
Before he emigrated Dr Winchester was on the former Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council and on Shropshire Council.
His wife Tiffany is also making a claim against American Airlines for the shock she says she suffered on greeting her husband at the airport. In court papers it is claimed she has suffered from insomnia, depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder and panic attacks.
She has stated that her symptoms were caused on seeing her husband disembark from a connecting flight in Australia in a "disorientated and distressed" state.
Now court papers have been submitted to the Supreme Court in Victoria on behalf of the Winchesters and American Airlines.
The case will be heard next year.
