Patrica Gunsser claims to have sustained a "concussion, fractures of the clavicle and sternum, a cardiac contusion, and multiple other wounds"
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NEED TO KNOW
- Patricia Gunsser claims she fell down a flight of wet airstairs after being “rushed” off a Lufthansa-operated flight in heavy rain
- The lawsuit alleges the stairs lacked anti-slip features and Patricia sustained severe injuries requiring weeks of treatment abroad
- She is seeking damages under the Montreal Convention, claiming the injuries and losses are permanent in nature
A plane passenger claims a flight attendant “rushed” her off the aircraft, causing her to slip and fall down a set of wet airstairs.
Pennsylvania residents Patricia and Paul Gunsser filed a civil complaint against the Lufthansa Group and its subsidiary Discover Airlines after an incident they claim caused “serious physical harm."
On Nov. 29, 2025, Patricia claims to have boarded a Discover flight operated on behalf of Lufthansa from Philadelphia to Frankfurt, Germany. Per the complaint, it was “raining heavily" when they landed, but “despite poor weather conditions, Discover did not park the aircraft at a covered jet bridge. Instead, the aircraft park at a remote spot on the tarmac."
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To disembark passengers, the company used a set of portable airstairs. However, due to the rain, “the handrail and stairs were wet,” and the equipment allegedly “had no anti-slip grip strips or rubberized treads,” the complaint claims.
Before descending the stairs, Patricia claims she stopped at the top to discuss how to safely manage the descent with her travel companion, her daughter.
A Discover flight attendant who “observed this interaction” then “directed them to proceed down the stairs without offering any assistance,” the complaint claims. It further alleges the "Discover flight attendant rushed Ms. Gunsser and her daughter off the aircraft because there were other passengers waiting to descend.”
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Patricia then claims to have “slipped approximately five steps from the top of the staircase” before tumbling down. She ultimately came to rest on the tarmac after falling “approximately two-thirds of the length of the staircase,” she claims.
As a result of the fall, Patricia allegedly sustained “a concussion, fractures of the clavicle and sternum, a cardiac contusion, and multiple other wounds.”
She was subsequently transported to a local hospital in Frankfurt where she remained “for approximately two weeks,” per the complaint.
On a subsequent medical transport flight back to the U.S., also operated by Lufthansa, the couple claims Patricia experienced an “acute medical deterioration as a result of the physical and mental stress she endured as a result of the incident.”
The flight reportedly made an unscheduled landing in Ireland, where Patricia was transferred by ambulance to a local hospital. Patricia claims she was then diagnosed with a serious infection and required additional treatment.
The complaint alleges that as a result of the initial fall and subsequent complications, she "was forced to remain abroad for approximately six weeks before she was medically cleared to return to the United States."
Patricia and Paul are seeking monetary damages from both Discover and Lufthansa. They claim the injuries and losses are “permanent in nature” and the couple will “continue to suffer damages in the future.”
"Mrs. Gunsser was looking forward to a wonderful trip to Germany with her daughter. Unfortunately, Lufthansa and Discover Airlines did not meet their responsibility to ensure Mrs. Gunsser arrived in Germany safely," the couple's attorney, Zachary Gorwitz claims in a statement shared with PEOPLE. "We are eager to find out why Mrs. Gunsser was rushed to deplane on wet, metal stairs and will make sure Mrs. Gunsser and her family obtain the answers and accountability they deserve."
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On May 19, counsel representing both defendants filed a notice of removal transferring the lawsuit to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
PEOPLE has reached out to the Lufthansa Group and Discover Airlines for comment.
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