Collapsed Before Takeoff Four Years Ago, Wife Pleaded for Help
No Action Taken, Plane Departed?Man Collapsed After Arrival
Jury Orders $9.6 Million in Damages in Lawsuit Filed by Wife
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An airline has been ordered to pay over 10 billion won in damages after a lawsuit filed by a woman who claimed that the airline caused her husband to suffer a stroke by allowing the plane to take off despite his abnormal symptoms and history of stroke.
According to CNN and other U.S. media outlets on September 19 (local time), a federal jury in San Jose, California found that American Airlines failed to follow its own medical guidelines when a man suffered a stroke on an international flight, and ordered the airline to pay $9.6 million (approximately 13.4 billion won) in damages. The incident occurred in November 2021 on a flight from Miami, United States, to Madrid, Spain.
At the time, 67-year-old chef Jesus Plasencia experienced a transient ischemic attack-commonly known as a "mini-stroke"-while the aircraft was still parked at the gate. According to the lawsuit, his wife informed the flight attendants that her husband had temporarily lost motor function and was "rambling and speaking unclearly." However, the crew did not request medical assistance or contact the airline's emergency response team. Instead, the captain approved the plane's departure.
Several hours into the flight, Plasencia showed symptoms of a stroke. The crew asked nearby passengers to keep an eye on his condition, but did not notify the captain or turn the plane back. It was more than eight hours before the plane landed in Madrid, at which point he was finally able to receive hospital treatment.
In the complaint, his wife stated, "Even now, two years after the flight, Plasencia is unable to speak, write, or communicate effectively, and cannot walk, eat, bathe, dress, or use the restroom independently. He is entirely dependent on 24-hour care and rehabilitation." The family's attorney criticized the crew for ignoring American Airlines' stroke response protocol, which includes immediate requests for medical assistance and, if necessary, turning the aircraft back.
The attorney said, "It is shocking that American Airlines responded so irresponsibly to such a serious medical emergency," and pointed out that the airline tried to avoid responsibility by citing Plasencia's pre-existing condition.
American Airlines stated that it is reviewing its options for further action. In a statement, the airline said, "The safety and health of our passengers is our top priority. While we respect the jury's decision, we do not agree with the verdict."
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