Man slams airline for $3,500 offer on damaged wheelchair: ‘Qantas has basically broken my legs’
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When we think of air travel, we often picture the excitement of jetting off to new adventures or the convenience of quick and comfortable journeys.
However, for those with disabilities, air travel can be fraught with anxiety, especially when it comes to the safety and handling of essential mobility aids.
This was prominently demonstrated in the recent case of Timothy Lachlan, an Australian wheelchair athlete and disability advocate, who had a disappointing experience with Qantas.
Timothy Lachlan isn't just any traveller; he's a man who made history as the first Australian to land a wheelchair backflip. He is also an athlete, disability advocate, and advisor.
So, when he boarded a Qantas flight from Dallas, Texas, to Sydney in February, he expected his trusted wheelchair to be treated with care. Instead, he was met with a situation that left him grounded.
Upon arrival, Lachlan discovered his custom wheelchair, which had been a reliable companion for over a decade, was badly damaged by airline handlers, rendering it unusable.
The chair, which Lachlan describes as ‘his legs’, was so damaged that it would tip back on the slightest incline.
This damage not only affected his mobility but also his livelihood, as Lachlan is an occupational therapist. Currently, he is using a friend's wheelchair to get around. He attempted to repair his own wheelchair, but the damage was too extensive for him to fix.
‘This wheelchair is basically my legs—Qantas has basically broken my legs,’ he said. ‘If you go up the slightest incline, the chair just tips back.’
The battle for fair compensation has been a long and arduous one for Lachlan.
Qantas initially offered him $3,500, a sum that Lachlan pointed out wouldn't 'even cover a set of wheels.' More than that, the airline also wanted him to sign a confidential settlement to keep the matter quiet.
But Lachlan, a man who advocates for disability rights, refused to be silenced. Instead, he chose to speak out against the airline.
In a statement to the media, a Qantas spokesperson said the company ‘sincerely apologises to Mr Lachlan for the damage caused to his wheelchair’.
They added: ‘We have offered him compensation and are waiting to hear back.’
The incident has shed light on a broader issue within the airline industry: the need for greater respect and care when transporting mobility aids.
Lachlan's call to action is not just for Qantas but for all airlines to reevaluate their policies and procedures.
He even extended an invitation to the CEO of Qantas, saying: ‘I am more than happy to meet with them, I invite the CEO of Qantas to jump in this chair and tell me it doesn't need to be replaced.’
You can watch an interview with Lachlan here:
Source: 7NEWS Australia/YouTube
We encourage our readers to join the conversation on how airlines can improve their services for passengers with disabilities. Have you or someone you know faced similar challenges while travelling? What changes would you like to see implemented to ensure the safety and dignity of all travellers? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
However, for those with disabilities, air travel can be fraught with anxiety, especially when it comes to the safety and handling of essential mobility aids.
This was prominently demonstrated in the recent case of Timothy Lachlan, an Australian wheelchair athlete and disability advocate, who had a disappointing experience with Qantas.
Timothy Lachlan isn't just any traveller; he's a man who made history as the first Australian to land a wheelchair backflip. He is also an athlete, disability advocate, and advisor.
So, when he boarded a Qantas flight from Dallas, Texas, to Sydney in February, he expected his trusted wheelchair to be treated with care. Instead, he was met with a situation that left him grounded.
Lachlan stated that his custom wheelchair was damaged after a flight with Qantas. Image source: Instagram
Upon arrival, Lachlan discovered his custom wheelchair, which had been a reliable companion for over a decade, was badly damaged by airline handlers, rendering it unusable.
The chair, which Lachlan describes as ‘his legs’, was so damaged that it would tip back on the slightest incline.
This damage not only affected his mobility but also his livelihood, as Lachlan is an occupational therapist. Currently, he is using a friend's wheelchair to get around. He attempted to repair his own wheelchair, but the damage was too extensive for him to fix.
‘This wheelchair is basically my legs—Qantas has basically broken my legs,’ he said. ‘If you go up the slightest incline, the chair just tips back.’
The battle for fair compensation has been a long and arduous one for Lachlan.
Qantas initially offered him $3,500, a sum that Lachlan pointed out wouldn't 'even cover a set of wheels.' More than that, the airline also wanted him to sign a confidential settlement to keep the matter quiet.
But Lachlan, a man who advocates for disability rights, refused to be silenced. Instead, he chose to speak out against the airline.
In a statement to the media, a Qantas spokesperson said the company ‘sincerely apologises to Mr Lachlan for the damage caused to his wheelchair’.
They added: ‘We have offered him compensation and are waiting to hear back.’
The incident has shed light on a broader issue within the airline industry: the need for greater respect and care when transporting mobility aids.
Lachlan's call to action is not just for Qantas but for all airlines to reevaluate their policies and procedures.
He even extended an invitation to the CEO of Qantas, saying: ‘I am more than happy to meet with them, I invite the CEO of Qantas to jump in this chair and tell me it doesn't need to be replaced.’
You can watch an interview with Lachlan here:
Source: 7NEWS Australia/YouTube
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