Lawsuit alleges AA did not deplane a passenger in medical crisis first

[WorldT]

Should airlines deplane a passenger in a medical crisis first?

This is the family's side of the story. Maybe we will get to hear the other side someday or never.

American Airlines flight crew let passenger die while others disembarked, family says

Exclusive: ‘How long does it take to deboard an airplane? 20, 30 minutes? That’s critical time,’ attorney Joseph LoRusso told The Independent

www.yahoo.com

 

[jp10558]

I think it's obvious there's more to the story - but if American Airlines knew he was in distress while on the second plane and actually didn't call for medical attention on landing and immediately get him attention, I think there's a strong case for negligence. And breaking what most people on the comments on yahoo said is common procedure.

I imagine the wrinkle is perhaps no one knew he was ill till he failed to deplane "in the normal order". As plenty of other people pointed out - he apparently was stubborn enough to not get checked out when fainting before boarding the connecting flight, and depending on what was actually going on he well could have just seemed to be asleep.

 

[emeryjre]

I think it's obvious there's more to the story - but if American Airlines knew he was in distress while on the second plane and actually didn't call for medical attention on landing and immediately get him attention, I think there's a strong case for negligence. And breaking what most people on the comments on yahoo said is common procedure.

I imagine the wrinkle is perhaps no one knew he was ill till he failed to deplane "in the normal order". As plenty of other people pointed out - he apparently was stubborn enough to not get checked out when fainting before boarding the connecting flight, and depending on what was actually going on he well could have just seemed to be asleep.

What are the odds that the Flight Attendants were aware of the passenger's distress and didn't call for medical help??

I think your scenario if far more likely than the Flight Attendants ignored the passenger's need for medical attention

 

[AJCts411]

Sorry but seems like self inflicted, by getting on the plane. But then the second plane....something not adding up there. Never get the complete picture from media.

 

[WorldT]

Sorry but seems like self inflicted, by getting on the plane. But then the second plane....something not adding up there. Never get the complete picture from media.

The media can only report what was filed in court and of course, the interview provided by the attorney for the plaintiff and publicly verifiable information such as he was the last one off the plane via ambulance (you can see that from the departure lounge and maybe arrivals too depending on how big the airport is).
The defendant (AA) is not making any statements due to pending litigation which is a normal response under the circumstances.
At some point, AA will have to file a response and that will be reported if you follow the story.
Just don't necessarily expect AA to file their version of the story unless they want a court trial which will be public. They may just file a general denial and move the case to arbitrations and maybe confidential settlement (both of which will keep AA's version of events out of public view). However, lawyers are happy with those because it is a guaranteed payday vs a trial they may lose.

 

[pedro47]

There are two sides to this tragic story.
What was the passenger responsible and what were the airline responsibles.?
Did the passenger know in advance that he was not feeling up to par to take this flight?
Was the airline staff notified in advance that this passenger could have a medical emergency and what was the airline staff instruction for a medical emergency during a flight ?

 

[davidvel]

What are the odds that the Flight Attendants were aware of the passenger's distress and didn't call for medical help??

I think your scenario if far more likely than the Flight Attendants ignored the passenger's need for medical attention

You hit the nail on the head. The lawyer, the complaint, the story, nothing says that the flight crew knew he was in medical distress, and yet still deboarded everyone else. That picture appears to be painted, but actually is not. As they say the silence on this very important detail is deafening. This is a typical media and attorney trick to lead people to an apparent conclusion that isn't supported by the facts. From the complaint:

Despite Mr. Cannon's escalating medical crisis, the AAL4896 flight crew delayed requesting medical assistance until after the aircraft had landed, taxied to the gate, and all other passengers had deplaned.

No mention about the flight crew's actual knowledge of his condition. This says nothing other than some events occurred in a certain order. If it is true that there was evidence the crew intentionally left him in his seat suffering a heart attack, the complaint obviously would be worded differently. It would say:

Despite Mr. Cannon's escalating medical crisis including obvious symptoms of an impending heart attack, of which the AAL4896 flight crew was aware, the crew delayed requesting medical assistance until after the aircraft had landed, taxied to the gate, and all other passengers had deplaned. They delayed the deplaning of Mr. Cannon despite knowing he was suffering a medical emergency, in callous disregard for his health and safety, thereby allowing for punitive damages.

Why on earth would the Plaintiff attorney not directly state that the crew deboarded him last knowing his condition if they had facts to back this up? The obvious answer is that this would be the first thing they would say.

 

[GT75]

For me, this statement says that there isn't much to this lawsuit:

The filing against American Airlines and its regional carrier Envoy Air in Colorado federal court is seeking at least $75,000 in damages following the death of John Cannon, a passenger from Kentucky who was traveling to Durango-La Plata County Airport.​

 

[pedro47]

Wow! The family of John Cannon, are not asking for a large dollars amount in damages. IMO.

 

[davidvel]

For me, this statement says that there isn't much to this lawsuit:

The filing against American Airlines and its regional carrier Envoy Air in Colorado federal court is seeking at least $75,000 in damages following the death of John Cannon, a passenger from Kentucky who was traveling to Durango-La Plata County Airport.​

Where did you see this and why does it tell you there isn't much to the lawsuit? Are you trained in thr law? The complaint linked in the above story was filed in State Court, though it likely would be moved to federal court.

 

[davidvel]

Wow! The family of John Cannon, are not asking for a large dollars amount in damages. IMO.

In your opinion how much are they seeking?

 

[GT75]

Where did you see this

linked article to the first article.

 

[davidvel]

linked article to the first article.

What does that mean? Do you have a link?

 

[GT75]

What does that mean?

Look at the third article in the original link from FoxNews.

Flight crew delayed asking for medical help for man in crisis who later died, lawsuit alleges

A man who suffered a "medical crisis" onboard an American Airlines-affiliated flight died after its crew "delayed requesting medical assistance," according to a lawsuit.

www.foxnews.com

 

[davidvel]

Look at the third article in the original link from FoxNews.

Flight crew delayed asking for medical help for man in crisis who later died, lawsuit alleges

A man who suffered a "medical crisis" onboard an American Airlines-affiliated flight died after its crew "delayed requesting medical assistance," according to a lawsuit.

www.foxnews.com

I didn't scroll down that far, thanks.

So for lay people, when a complaint prays for at least $75,000, that does not mean that the plaintiff is only seeking $75,000. At least means that much or more.

As for the $75,000 figure itself, AA/Envoy must have removed the original suit that was filed in State court, to Federal court. The Federal court only has diversity jurisdiction (between citizens of different states) where the matter is valued at $75,000 or more. So this is why plaintiffs state this amount. It is merely for jurisdictional purposes.

In any wrongful death lawsuit plaintiff typically is seeking million(s).

 

[GT75]

So for lay people, when a complaint prays for at least $75,000, that does not mean that the plaintiff is only seeking $75,000. At least means that much or more.

Thank you for explaining that. I certainly didn’t know that and makes my earlier comment invalid.

 

[pedro47]

I didn't scroll down that far, thanks.

So for lay people, when a complaint prays for at least $75,000, that does not mean that the plaintiff is only seeking $75,000. At least means that much or more.

As for the $75,000 figure itself, AA/Envoy must have removed the original suit that was filed in State court, to Federal court. The Federal court only has diversity jurisdiction (between citizens of different states) where the matter is valued at $75,000 or more. So this is why plaintiffs state this amount. It is merely for jurisdictional purposes.

In any wrongful death lawsuit plaintiff typically is seeking million(s).

Excellent point especially if a jury decides the final outcome of the lawsuit.