A Philadelphia flyer was left with third-degree burns and “disfiguring scars” on his penis and testicles after spilling hot tea on his lap during a Frontier Airlines flight, according to a new lawsuit.
Sean Miller was flying home from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, when he spilled the “scalding” drink — which was filled to the brim — causing “highly unsightly and embarrassing discoloration on his penis, scrotum/testicles,” and “significantly decreased sensation in his penis,” according to the federal suit.
As soon as the plane landed in Philadelphia on Sept. 20, an ambulance met Miller, 56, on the ground and he was rushed to Jefferson Medical Hospital’s burn center and treated for severe third-degree burns.
“Due to the tightly-situated plane seat configuration, Mr. Miller was unable to get up from his seat after the spill and, instead, was trapped in agonizing pain while his body was being burnt,” his attorney, Adam S. Barrist, told the Independent.
Miller also suffered a herniated disc while writhing in “agony” in the constrained setting, according to the lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on Sunday.
The burns caused permanent scarring on and around his genitals and Miller “has been encountering sexual dysfunction” ever since, Barrist told the outlet.
Miller also allegedly suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, “lack of self-esteem” as well as sexual dysfunction.
Miller had requested hot tea during cabin service — but claims the “scalding” hot water was handed to him “in highly negligent fashion, filled to the brim, at an unsafely and unreasonably high temperature and without any form of a lid,” according to the suit.
He then spilled the drink between his legs.
According to the Mayo Clinic, third-degree burns involve all the layers of skin and sometimes the fat and muscle tissue under the skin, and often require skin grafts to close the wound.
Miller claims he’s endured “great physical and mental pain and anguish” since the incident, which will likely continue well into the future, “if not for the balance of his natural life.”
In addition to the burns, he says the spill left him with pinched and damaged nerves, neck pain, embarrassment, emotional harm, and “strains, sprains, disc bulges and disc herniations throughout his body, the extent of which is presently unknown.”
Miller was forced to take off time from work to treat his injuries and suffered “substantial” medical expenses, the suit says.
Frontier Airlines “had a duty” to provide him with the tea “in a safe manner that would not subject him to potential injury and disfigurement,” Miller alleges.
Miller is seeking $150,000 in damages for his injuries.
Barrist said the airline has not responded to his multiple letters sent regarding the lawsuit.
Frontier Airlines did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.