Plane Crash Survivor|Sues Caribbean Airlines

JAMAICA, N.Y. (CN) - A passenger on the Caribbean Airlines flight that crashed and split in two in Guyana last year claims in court that the injuries she suffered stemmed from the airline's negligence.

Nandine Persaud sued Caribbean Airlines in Queens County Supreme Court. She was a passenger on the July 30, 2011 Flight BW523 from New York City to Georgetown, Guyana, via Trinidad.

Upon landing at Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Guyana, the Boeing 737-800 overran the end of the runway, broke through a fence, fell onto a road and broke apart. None of the 157 passengers and six crew members died, but many were injured.

Persaud claims the crash "was caused by the negligent servicing, maintenance, repair, operating and piloting of the subject aircraft".

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority investigated, and stated in its initial findings: "At this stage it appears that the primary contributing factor in this accident was that the aircraft made a long landing and touched down with insufficient runway remaining to come to a safe stop."

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority said a final report is expected sometime this year.

Persaud says she suffered mental anguish, fear of impending death, and severe and disabling injuries.

She seeks damages for her injuries, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and loss of earnings and earning capacity.

She is represented by Peter Zirbes, of Forest Hills.

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