Frontier Passenger Claims Scalding Tea Disfigured His Genitalia

A Frontier Airlines passenger has filed a lawsuit against the budget carrier claiming that he sustained third-degree burns to his genitalia after scalding hot tea spilled on his lap during a recent flight.

Sean Miller, 56, was flying from Myrtle Beach to his home in Philadelphia on Sept. 20, when he asked for a cup of hot tea during beverage service. However, according to a federal lawsuit obtained by The Independent, the beverage was "presented to [him] filled to the brim, at an unsafely and unreasonably high temperature and without any form of a lid."

"The scalding hot water spilled between his legs, through his clothing and directly onto Mr. Miller’s genitalia," the lawsuit details. As a result, Miller suffered "disfiguring scars on his penis, testicles and thighs." When the flight landed in Philadelphia, he was met by an ambulance and rushed to the hospital, before being transferred to a specialized burn center for treatment "due to the severity" of his wounds.

The lawsuit states that Miller’s injuries include "highly unsightly and embarrassing discoloration on his penis, scrotum/testicles," as well as "significantly decreased sensation in his penis," "post-traumatic stress disorder," and a "lack of self-esteem." Additional medical issues he experienced as a result of the incident include at least one herniated disc from "writhing in distress" in his cramped seat, neck pain, and pinched and damaged nerves.

"Due to the tightly-situated plane seat configuration, Mr. Miller was unable to get up from his seat after the spill and, instead, was trapped in agonizing pain while his body was being burnt," said Miller's attorney, Adam S. Barrist. He added that his client was left with "permanent scarring" on and around his genitalia, and “has been encountering sexual dysfunction since this incident."

Miller, who is employed as a warehouse worker, was likewise initially unable to return to work following the incident and caused him to be incurred with "substantial" medical expenses, the lawsuit claims. It also says that the "great physical and mental pain and anguish" he suffered will likely continue well into the future, "if not for the balance of his natural life."

Barrist said that it became necessary to file the lawsuit due to the fact that the airline was unresponsive to communication and neglected to compensate Miller for his medical bills. He's seeking a minimum of $150,000 for his injuries, plus additional damages to be determined by a jury if the case goes to court.

“Despite multiple letters sent to Frontier Airlines via FedEx overnight courier, I have received no communication, of any kind, back from Frontier Airlines, concerning, among other issues, the payment of my client’s past medical bills and payment for his ongoing treatment," Barrist told the publication.

In an email to the Independent, a Frontier spokesperson said: "As a matter of standard practice, we don’t comment on pending litigation."