Narrative:

Both pilots had their individual radar displays on; as a precaution for possible weather avoidance; while departing. There were no observable radar returns. Once at FL300; I checked with ATC about any enroute turbulence; and they stated there were reports of nothing worse than occasional light chop at our altitude and altitudes above. We were cruising just above; and near; the ragged tops of a cloud layer; in smooth air. The seatbelt sign was off. Just prior to the turbulence encounter; I had been entering a code into ACARS regarding an inoperative TCAS (TCAS fail) during climb; then cruise. We experienced a moderate turbulence encounter of brief duration; lasting approximately two seconds. I turned the seatbelt sign on; and then it smoothed out quickly. Since it was already smooth again; over the PA; I had the flight attendants 'check in'; as opposed to 'be seated immediately; be seated immediately.' the lead flight attendant informed me of 'possible' flight attendant injuries; and spilled drinks on some passengers. I asked the flight attendant's to update me as soon as possible; but they were busy with assessing the situation; etc. By then; we were nearing the top of descent. Based on the information I had at the time; I requested dispatch have EMS and inflight meet the flight; due to possible flight attendant injuries. I did not have enough information to determine if declaring an emergency was necessary. I specifically did not request a link to medlink; since we were about to start our descent; and didn't have enough information to pass along to them. Also; I have used medlink on multiple occasions in the past; knew the connection would take several minutes; and be another unneeded distraction during the descent phase of flight. Dispatch requested more info on the turbulence encounter; and I told them it was moderate; and of its approximate location. I thought I had mentioned the moderate turbulence to dispatch previously; but was very busy coordinating with the first officer; the flight attendants; and the passengers; while managing my pm (pilot monitoring) duties. I then made a PA informing the passengers and flight attendants that EMS would be meeting the aircraft for anyone needing medical assistance. Additionally; I let the flight attendants know that inflight would meet the aircraft as well. At the time of the moderate turbulence encounter; we also experienced an approximate 20 knot overspeed; of approximately two-second duration. I sent a code for that via ACARS; and later; debriefed local maintenance about the encounter. We blocked-in; EMS met the aircraft; and attended to the injured flight attendants. No passengers requested treatment by EMS. I had reviewed [the weather] for turbulence prior to departing. Based on that review; and ride-reports obtained from ATC; I felt it was safe for the seatbelt sign to be off; and for the flight attendants to be moving around the cabin. After block-in; I verified the flight attendants were receiving medical treatment; and made sure inflight had my file number. I then turned my cellphone on; and called the [duty manager].

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 flight crew reported two flight attendants were slightly injured in a moderate turbulence encounter during cruise.

Narrative: Both pilots had their individual radar displays ON; as a precaution for possible weather avoidance; while departing. There were no observable radar returns. Once at FL300; I checked with ATC about any enroute turbulence; and they stated there were reports of nothing worse than occasional light chop at our altitude and altitudes above. We were cruising just above; and near; the ragged tops of a cloud layer; in smooth air. The seatbelt sign was OFF. Just prior to the turbulence encounter; I had been entering a code into ACARS regarding an inoperative TCAS (TCAS FAIL) during climb; then cruise. We experienced a moderate turbulence encounter of brief duration; lasting approximately two seconds. I turned the seatbelt sign ON; and then it smoothed out quickly. Since it was already smooth again; over the PA; I had the Flight Attendants 'check in'; as opposed to 'be seated immediately; be seated immediately.' The lead Flight Attendant informed me of 'possible' flight attendant injuries; and spilled drinks on some passengers. I asked the Flight Attendant's to update me as soon as possible; but they were busy with assessing the situation; etc. By then; we were nearing the top of descent. Based on the information I had at the time; I requested Dispatch have EMS and Inflight meet the flight; due to possible Flight Attendant injuries. I did not have enough information to determine if declaring an emergency was necessary. I specifically did not request a link to Medlink; since we were about to start our descent; and didn't have enough information to pass along to them. Also; I have used Medlink on multiple occasions in the past; knew the connection would take several minutes; and be another unneeded distraction during the descent phase of flight. Dispatch requested more info on the turbulence encounter; and I told them it was moderate; and of its approximate location. I thought I had mentioned the moderate turbulence to Dispatch previously; but was very busy coordinating with the First Officer; the Flight Attendants; and the passengers; while managing my PM (pilot monitoring) duties. I then made a PA informing the passengers and Flight Attendants that EMS would be meeting the aircraft for anyone needing medical assistance. Additionally; I let the Flight Attendants know that Inflight would meet the aircraft as well. At the time of the moderate turbulence encounter; we also experienced an approximate 20 knot overspeed; of approximately two-second duration. I sent a code for that via ACARS; and later; debriefed local maintenance about the encounter. We blocked-in; EMS met the aircraft; and attended to the injured Flight Attendants. No passengers requested treatment by EMS. I had reviewed [the weather] for turbulence prior to departing. Based on that review; and ride-reports obtained from ATC; I felt it was safe for the seatbelt sign to be OFF; and for the Flight Attendants to be moving around the cabin. After block-in; I verified the Flight Attendants were receiving medical treatment; and made sure Inflight had my file number. I then turned my cellphone on; and called the [duty manager].

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.