A Northern California woman has filed a lawsuit against Singapore Airlines after suffering a life-threatening allergic reaction during an international flight in August 2025. Tinyan Lawrence, traveling with her husband and infant son from Bali to San Francisco, claims she was served a “tainted” meal that triggered the emergency. The incident occurred on the Bali-to-Singapore leg of the trip and has now become the focus of a legal battle over airline safety and passenger care.
According to the legal complaint, Lawrence, who has a severe shellfish allergy, says she took steps to ensure her safety. After being offered Tom yum soup or a chicken-and-pasta dish, she informed cabin crew of her allergy. Despite being reassured by a flight attendant that the chicken and pasta option contained no shellfish, Lawrence began experiencing a severe reaction after only a few bites.
The symptoms escalated rapidly, sending Lawrence into anaphylactic shock. The lawsuit details the progression of symptoms, including difficulty breathing as her throat swelled and her airway constricted. The legal filing also states that her face and eyes became so swollen that her vision was obstructed, along with hives, dizziness, and severe abdominal pain.
Lawrence’s husband intervened when, according to the lawsuit, cabin crew provided no immediate assistance. He retrieved an epinephrine auto-injector from her carry-on luggage and administered the life-saving injection. The complaint alleges that flight attendants failed to provide meaningful help as Lawrence struggled to breathe in her Premium Economy seat.
After landing in Singapore, Lawrence says airport staff directed the family the wrong way to a medical facility. As her symptoms began returning during deplanement, she administered a second epinephrine auto-injector before finally receiving professional medical care. Ultimately declared unfit to fly, the family was stranded in Singapore overnight before being cleared to continue their journey the following day.
The lawsuit was filed in a California district court under Article 17 of the Montreal Convention, which holds airlines liable for passenger injuries during international travel. While claims under the convention are typically capped at about $216,000, Lawrence is seeking damages beyond that limit. The cap does not apply if the injury is proven to result from the “negligence or wrongful act” of the airline or its employees.
This is not the first time Singapore Airlines has faced such allegations; a similar lawsuit was filed last year by another passenger who experienced an allergic reaction on a flight from Frankfurt to New York. Regarding the current case, Singapore Airlines said it cannot comment on the details while the legal process is ongoing. For the Lawrence family, the lawsuit seeks accountability after a routine flight turned into a near-fatal medical emergency.
Remember, epinephrine is the only drug that can halt and reverse the progression of life-threatening anaphylaxis, but it can only help if you have it on hand and administer it quickly after the onset of symptoms. Always carry two doses of epinephrine everywhere, every time, and be sure to administer the first when you first suspect anaphylaxis.
Also, keep in mind that it is impossible to know how an airline meal was prepared in terms of cross-contact with your allergens. If feasible, consider bringing your own meals onboard.
