BA passenger brain damaged after slipping on spilt Baileys is accused of exaggerating disability as friend tells court he saw him 'working and training to sail boat on Med'

A British Airways passenger who claims he was left brain damaged after slipping on spilt Baileys at Heathrow Airport has been accused of exaggerating his disabilities by a former friend. 

Businessman Andreas Wuchner, 44, is suing the airline for £4million after claiming the accident left him suffering from debilitating migraines which destroyed his business and rendered him unable to work.

But the court has now heard allegations that Mr Wuchner has been pursuing numerous business interests, travelling extensively across Europe and even obtaining a boating licence in Croatia since the incident.

His former friend and business associate Sebastian Steiner claims he witnessed Mr Wuchner carrying out physically demanding tasks, answering business emails and speaking on the telephone without apparent difficulty.

The claims have thrown the £4million compensation battle into dispute, with British Airways arguing that the new evidence paints a 'radically different picture' of the businessman's alleged disabilities.

However, Mr Wuchner's barrister has dismissed the allegations as 'tittle tattle' from a disgruntled former friend following a falling out between the two men.

At Central London County Court yesterday, a judge acknowledged there were questions surrounding Mr Wuchner's credibility but ordered BA to pay him £100,000 in interim compensation while the legal battle continues.

Mr Wuchner suffered his injuries in November 2017 when he slipped on a puddle of Baileys Irish Cream while rushing to catch a British Airways flight from London to Zurich.

He was carrying his luggage and balancing a tray containing two espressos and two latte macchiatos when he failed to spot the spilt liqueur on the airport floor.

The businessman fell and struck his head, suffering injuries which he claims have left him with permanent brain damage and severe migraines.

He subsequently sued BA, arguing that his injuries had destroyed his ability to run his once-thriving merchandising company and left him financially dependent on his partner.

In his claim, Mr Wuchner described suffering from 'constant pain and discomfort… symptoms of dizziness, nausea, forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, constant exhaustion, irritability and pain to his neck and back'.

He said his 'severe and constant headaches' had prevented him from working and that the collapse of his business had left him feeling 'like a burden' on his partner.

A judge ruled in 2024 that BA was liable for the accident, questioning why airline staff had failed to take action after the alcohol was spilled.

The judge said he found it 'unusual that no immediate steps were taken by anyone from BA to prevent an accident'.

'Nothing appears to have been placed over the spillage to cover it up,' he said.

'That may have been simply because nothing was available, but it is surprising that this situation could not have been dealt with, at least temporarily, until all the passengers had boarded.'

However, the judge also found Mr Wuchner partly responsible for the accident because he had been rushing through the airport while balancing four hot drinks.

His compensation was therefore reduced by 20 per cent for 'contributory negligence', meaning he will receive only 80 per cent of whatever damages are ultimately awarded.

The case was subsequently due to proceed to a trial to determine how much compensation Mr Wuchner should receive.

But the proceedings took an unexpected turn last year when Mr Steiner came forward with evidence challenging the extent of his former friend's alleged disabilities.

At a hearing in December, BA's barrister Asela Wijeyaratne told the court that Mr Wuchner had presented himself as suffering 'gross disability caused by debilitating headaches with associated neck and back pain, cognitive and executive dysfunction, memory loss, fatigue, personality change and secondary psychological disorders..'

However, he said Mr Steiner's account 'paints a radically different picture.'

The former friend claimed he had witnessed Mr Wuchner carrying out lifting and carrying tasks 'requiring considerable physical effort' despite his claims of serious disability.

The pair had also purchased a boat together and travelled abroad on several occasions following the accident.

'They went on holiday together to Ibiza in September 2018. They travelled to Croatia in May 2021 where the claimant obtained his boat licence,' said the barrister.

Although Mr Wuchner had complained to his friend about suffering headaches, Mr Steiner claimed he remained capable of conducting business activities.

He 'did not notice him experience any difficulty in completing physical tasks, answering emails or speaking on the telephone.'

Mr Wijeyaratne told the court the new evidence suggested that the businessman had 'actively engaged in a wide variety of business interests since the index accident.'

'These activities appear to be physically and mentally demanding, including involving long drives across continental Europe and other foreign travel, as well as requiring initiative, skill, concentration and business nous,' he said.

But appearing on behalf of Mr Wuchner yesterday, Sarah Prager KC dismissed the allegations and questioned the reliability of evidence provided by a former friend with whom he had fallen out.

'Effectively, it's tittle tattle from a former friend, it's gossip,' she told Judge David Saunders.

'There's clearly been a falling out between the two gentlemen.'

She also pointed out that despite relying on Mr Steiner's account, BA had not formally amended its defence to accuse Mr Wuchner of dishonesty or exaggerating his injuries.

'Whoever is in the right, it just boils down to tittle tattle,' she told the judge.

'There is no allegation of fundamental dishonesty or exaggeration and the defendant has had an ample opportunity to apply to amend their pleading in that respect.'

Ms Prager applied for an interim payment of £100,000 to help support her client while he awaits the final determination of his compensation claim.

She said Mr Wuchner had not earned any significant income since the accident and continued to struggle financially.

'He needs to eat and will not have earned for 10 years by the time of the trial,' she told the judge.

She added that medical experts agreed her client suffered from a 'severe and disabling migraine disorder.'

Judge Saunders granted the application, ruling that a £100,000 interim payment was proportionate given the £4million being sought.

However, he acknowledged that the conflicting accounts raised questions which would have to be examined at trial.

'I accept there's a dispute about the extent of his claim and his credibility, and there's an underlying suggestion that there is a potential further defence of fundamental dishonesty, but as yet that hasn't been pleaded,' he said.

'The credibility of Mr Steiner's evidence will depends on cross-examination in the witness box.'

The judge's decision means Mr Wuchner will receive the six-figure payment despite the continuing dispute over the severity of his injuries.

The full trial to determine the value of his compensation claim is not expected to take place until next year.