An Australian neurosurgeon, who claims to have suffered physical and psychological injuries since getting his little finger caught in a fold-out tray table, is suing Austrian Airlines.

Dr David Walker, a Brisbane resident, claims his digit became snared during an Austrian Airlines flight from Bangkok to Vienna on July 5, 2016.

In a statement of claim filed in the Queensland Federal Court, Dr Walker, who was flying business class, alleges the injury occurred while he was trying to stow away a table tray, which he claims the cabin crew had failed to do for him.

Dr Walker claims the injury occurred while stowing away the tray table after his meal Credit: ALAMY

“The fifth finger on the right hand of the Applicant became jammed in between two of the parts of the horizontal tray-table resulting in severe pain and injury,” the statement says, according to the Brisbane Times.

“The Applicant, with his son's assistance, was able to pull the finger out of the jammed parts of the horizontal fold-out tray after several seconds.

“Due to the severe pain and realisation of the injury to the finger, the Applicant lost consciousness briefly.”

Dr Walker claims the incident left him with an intra-articular fracture to his finger, which has prevented him from working and caused him to suffer from depression and anxiety.

Telegraph Travel contacted Austrian Airlines and was told by the carrier that Dr Walker did not seek medical attention while he was on the aircraft.

"Our internal research has shown that the passenger suing Austrian Airlines had not contacted the flight attendants for medical or any other kind of support – not even for ice cubes – after the accident with the tray table," said a spokesperson.

"There are no regulations that our flights crews have to fold up the tables after meals, as passenger often use them afterwards as well. Of course, if passengers need help with their tray table our flight attendants are happy to help."

According to his statement of claim, Dr Walker, who has not submitted to the court how much he will seek in compensation, has lost and will continue to lose earnings as a result of his injuries.

By making a claim Dr Walker is relying on the Montreal Convention – the legal framework which governs airline responsibilities and liabilities worldwide – and Australia's Civil Aviation Carriers’ Liability Act.