Virginia, United States: A North Carolina mother has filed a $5 million lawsuit against Qatar Airways, alleging that the airline’s negligence caused her 3-year-old daughter to suffer a life-threatening allergic reaction during a transcontinental flight earlier this year.
According to court filings the incident occurred on April 9 aboard Qatar Airways Flight QR710 from Washington Dulles International Airport to Doha, Qatar. The child and her mother, Swetha Neerukonda, were en route to India when the episode unfolded mid-air.
Neerukonda, who stated that her daughter has severe allergies to both dairy and nuts, informed the airline crew about the medical condition multiple times prior to and during boarding. Despite these warnings, the lawsuit alleges that a flight attendant handed the child a Kit Kat bar, a chocolate snack containing both allergens, while Neerukonda was briefly away in the lavatory.
When she returned and realized what had happened, Neerukonda claims she confronted the crew but was “mocked and dismissed” instead of receiving assistance. Within minutes, her daughter began experiencing symptoms of severe anaphylaxis, including difficulty breathing and facial swelling. Neerukonda administered an EpiPen on board as the crew reportedly failed to respond adequately to the emergency.
Upon arrival in India, the child was hospitalized in intensive care and remained under medical supervision for two days. Doctors later confirmed she had suffered a “biphasic reaction,” a secondary wave of anaphylaxis that can occur hours after the initial episode.
The federal lawsuit, filed on October 31 in the Eastern District of Virginia, seeks $5 million in damages for negligence, emotional distress, and violation of basic duty of care. Neerukonda’s legal team argues that Qatar Airways failed to provide reasonable accommodation for a known medical condition and did not follow proper emergency medical protocols during the incident.
“Airlines have an obligation to ensure the safety of passengers with food allergies, particularly when they have been clearly notified in advance,” the complaint states, adding that the flight attendant’s alleged mockery compounded the distress of an already critical medical situation. Qatar Airways has not yet issued an official statement regarding the allegations.
