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A former federal South Australian senator representing customers of a Singapore Airlines flight that hit severe turbulence says compensation offers made to passengers on the flight is "mean and miserable".
Flight SQ321 carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence on May 21 while flying over Myanmar.
The turbulence flung passengers and crew around the cabin and some into the ceiling, causing spinal cord, brain and skull injuries.
Singapore Airlines has offered $US10,000 ($15,150) in compensation to passengers who suffered minor injuries during the incident.
It's also invited passengers with serious injuries to discuss a compensation offer with the airline.
"Passengers medically assessed as having sustained serious injuries, requiring long-term medical care, and requesting financial assistance are offered an advance payment of $US25,000 to address their immediate needs," the airline said in a statement.
"This will be part of the final compensation that these passengers will receive."
Offers 'fall short of international law'
Former senator and lawyer Nick Xenophon said the compensation offer from the airline falls short of its obligations under international law.
"The Montreal Convention which governs these incidents in the air – is very clear about what the caps are and what the damages ought to be," Mr Xenophon said.
"It's very clear here that at the very least a seriously injured person should be offered first up – $US175,000 without any questions or liabilities being taken into account."
Adelaide man Keith Davis whose wife Kerry Jordan suffered a spinal injury on the flight when she was thrown into the luggage doors and landed in the aisle said he learnt about the offers through a Facebook statement.
Mr Davis said the offer has added further distress to his wife.
"It is beyond belief — beyond insulting — it is an absolute joke — it’s not even worth discussing," Mr Davis said.
"I don’t know what [the offer] would cover – it doesn’t cover anything."
The Adelaide man said his wife has recently been in a stable condition but has suffered a life-changing condition as a result of the incident.
"We are just hopeful for small gains, her mobility is restricted to her arms, neck and shoulders."
Aviation lawyer warns passengers against 'signing away their rights'
Aviation lawyer Peter Carter told the ABC passengers who were impacted on the flight should seek expert legal advice before accepting any compensation offers from the airline.
"Be careful what you sign is my advice, get legal advice from someone experienced in this area," Mr Carter said.
"People might think that they'll get over what they've suffered but experience tells me that medical [professionals] need to evaluate these types of injuries so they know what they might face in the future."
The lawyer noted that the $US25,000 offer for serious injuries — was just an advance — but those passengers with minor injuries should remember they'll be signing their rights away if they accept the $US10,000 offer.
"The people who sign up for the $10,000 offer are locked out, that's the intention of it," the lawyer said.
"The insurer wants to get people out of the $200,000 damages column into the $10,000 damages column to minimise their overall payout," Mr Carter said.