Karl Stefanovic (00:00):
Well, Singapore Airlines is this morning offering tens of thousands of dollars to passengers caught up in a flight hit by extreme turbulence and passengers like Adelaide man, Keith Davis, who we spoke to after the ordeal.

Keith Davis (00:13):
Unfortunately, my wife is a heck of a lot worse than what I am. She’s had a severe spinal injury.

Karl Stefanovic (00:22):
Oh, no.

Keith Davis (00:23):
And she has no sensation from her waist down.

Karl Stefanovic (00:28):
It was a heartbreaking interview that one. For more, we’re joined by lawyer Peter Carter from Carter Capner Law, which is representing some passengers. Peter, good morning to you.

Peter Carter (00:36):
Good morning, Karl.

Karl Stefanovic (00:37):
What are your first thoughts? Is this enough for victims like Keith and his wife?

Peter Carter (00:42):
Well, the $25,000 offer is an advance. Keith and his wife will be entitled to far more compensation than that. Those amounts have to be determined, and that will take some time. But the $25,000 advance is very welcome as a first step for those passengers.

Karl Stefanovic (00:59):
Do you think the airline, I mean, obviously they’re going to have to cough up more, should they be coughing up more now?

Peter Carter (01:05):
Well, it’s important to remember this offer is coming from the insurer. The insurer has done the numbers and what their objective here is to move from one column that claims that might be worth $200,000, not as seriously injured as Keith and his wife, but still injured into the column for $10,000. So that’s the objective. That’s the purpose of this offer.

Karl Stefanovic (01:29):
Can you tell us how many you’re representing?

Peter Carter (01:32):
I’d prefer not to reveal that at the moment.

Karl Stefanovic (01:35):
Are you preparing some sort of class action in the future?

Peter Carter (01:39):
No, the claims are individual because there are so many different aspects to each person’s claim. But the important thing to remember is that many people might think that their $10,000 is a good grab for now, but my advice is that everyone should get legal advice about what they should accept because after all, they are signing away. They’ll be asked to sign away their rights to future compensation if they accept that.

Karl Stefanovic (02:09):
Is it a difficult one for Singapore Airlines to defend?

Peter Carter (02:13):
Well, I believe so. I believe that they won’t be able to show that the accident occurred without any fault.

Karl Stefanovic (02:23):
That’s a tricky one, isn’t it? Given the freak circumstances of the weather.

Peter Carter (02:28):
Well, that’s what I… Weather isn’t freak. They’re trying to allege that it’s a clear air turbulence event. Our team thinks that’s not the case, and the evidence will show that it’s a thunderstorm event, and that was avoidable.

Karl Stefanovic (02:46):
Okay. So what can this potentially do to the future of air travel? I guess what you’re saying is if you go through any kind of weather event, you’re going to have to have your seatbelt on. Will that advance that kind of movement towards it, making it compulsory on all flights for the duration of the flight?

Peter Carter (03:02):
Well, everyone should keep their seatbelt on when they’re seated, but unfortunately, this event has created a heightened fear of moving around aircraft cabins, which we say is misplaced because it was an avoidable event, and we believe that the investigation will show that. And we don’t think there needs to be a heightened fear, but remember, it’s sensible to keep your seatbelt on when you’re in your seat, and that’s very important.

Karl Stefanovic (03:30):
Just quickly, when will you get movement on that case?

Peter Carter (03:32):
Well, it’s early days Karl, where it’s still assessing injuries, still giving advice, and so it’ll be sometime before claims are started and we’ve asked to be put in touch with the airline’s lawyers and we’re still waiting for a response from the airline in that regard.

Karl Stefanovic (03:49):
All right, let us know how you go. Good to talk to you.

Peter Carter (03:49):
Thanks.