Sydney, July 30 (IANS): An Australian man sued Etihad Airways on Thursday, claiming that he got a back injury after being forced to sit next to an obese individual.

James Andres Bassos told a Brisbane court in a statement that he was forced to twist and contort his body for long periods on a 2011 flight from Sydney to Dubai, Xinhua reported.

Bassos's claim states the "grossly overweight" passenger was spilling into his seat, coughed frequently and was dripping fluid from his mouth.

He asked to be moved after five hours but said in his court claim that airline staff refused.

Half an hour later, Bassos complained again and he was moved to a crew seat.

But he said he was forced to return to his original seat before arriving in Dubai.

Bassos claimed damages for personal injuries, saying that being forced to twist his body for such a long time to avoid contact with the other passenger gave him a back injury and made an existing back condition worse.

Etihad tried to have the case thrown out of court, but the judge hearing the matter ruled it could continue.