Category: Standard of care

Airline not liable to passenger for injury sustained while avoiding fast-moving flight attendant

January 19, 2020

Kopp v. Delta Airlines, Inc. (E.D. Ky. Dec. 26, 2019).  During a domestic flight, the passenger/plaintiff was standing in the aisle when a flight attendant came “rushing” toward her “at a high rate of speed,” according to the complaint.  The plaintiff alleged that, while trying to get out of the way, she caught her foot … More Airline not liable to passenger for injury sustained while avoiding fast-moving flight attendant

Appeals court enforces air waybill liability limit in case alleging injury to exotic cat

July 15, 2018

Lentini v. Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NY App. Div. 2nd Dept. Mar. 14, 2018).  The plaintiff, a New York resident, had purchased a “Savannah silver spotted kitten” from a Florida kennel for $2,300.  She planned to train “Prince Maddox” to compete in “cat shows where he would have been eligible to win prizes upwards of … More Appeals court enforces air waybill liability limit in case alleging injury to exotic cat

Elder Abuse Act claim against airline fails in federal district court

May 10, 2018

Balukjian v. Virgin America, Inc. (N.D. Cal. Mar. 9, 2018).  The passenger/plaintiff was traveling on a red-eye flight from San Francisco to Boston with her 93 year-old father, who had a portable oxygen concentrator with him.  During the flight, the plaintiff’s father felt ill.  He asked her for oxygen, which she attempted to provide using … More Elder Abuse Act claim against airline fails in federal district court

Airline not liable for refusing to board customer who admitted she appeared to be drunk

September 12, 2016

Pipino v. Delta Air Lines, Inc. (S.D. Fla. July 18, 2016).  When the plaintiff lined up at the gate to board the flight from LaGuardia Airport to Tampa, she was not at her best; she had a chipped a tooth the previous night, had a painful blister on her foot and had consumed three alcoholic … More Airline not liable for refusing to board customer who admitted she appeared to be drunk

Passenger’s racial discrimination claims based on airline deplaning come up short

October 29, 2014

Mercer v. Southwest Airlines Co. (N.D. Cal. Sept. 19, 2014).  In his amended complaint, the plaintiff, an African American, alleged that he and fiancée boarded the Southwest LAX-IAH flight with two carry-on bags apiece.  The plaintiff stowed his bags in an overhead compartment and then, “as a gentleman,” proceeded to do the same with one … More Passenger’s racial discrimination claims based on airline deplaning come up short

Passenger not required to prove violation of regulation in order to establish that “accident” under Montreal Convention occurred

November 13, 2011

Phifer v. Icelandair (9th Cir. (Cal.) Sept. 1, 2011).  While boarding a flight from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Reykjavik, Iceland, the passenger struck her head on an overhead video monitor that was extended in the “down” position.  She sued Icelandair, alleging liability under the Montreal Convention. Under Article 17(1) of the Convention, “[t]he carrier is liable … More Passenger not required to prove violation of regulation in order to establish that “accident” under Montreal Convention occurred

Court holds that airline met applicable standard of care in disabled passenger slip and fall case

October 25, 2008

Elassaad v. Independence Air, Inc. (E.D. Pa. Aug. 20, 2008).  After a domestic flight, the passenger “fell down the airplane’s stairway” while disembarking from the aircraft.  At the time of the fall, the passenger “had an above-the-knee amputation of his right leg and relied on two crutches to walk” but did not use a wheelchair.  … More Court holds that airline met applicable standard of care in disabled passenger slip and fall case

Court partially grants airline motion to dismiss injured passenger’s complaint

January 29, 2008

Levy v. Continental Airlines, Inc. (E.D. Pa. Oct. 1, 2007).  During a flight from Houston to Philadelphia, the passenger was injured when a large ceramic bowl fell from a broken or improperly closed overhead compartment and struck her head.  The passenger filed a lawsuit against the airline, alleging that it had negligently violated duties of … More Court partially grants airline motion to dismiss injured passenger’s complaint