American Airlines wins a lawsuit against the death of the teenager in flight

American Airlines has successfully won a legal dispute with regard to the tragic death of a 14-year-old boy. A Texan federal judge decided in favor of the airline in a lawsuit by Melissa Suzette Arzu, the mother of the late teenager Kevin Greenidge.

Mark Pittman, district judge Mark Pittman, made American Airlines a summary judgment and found that the reaction of the flight crew to the medical emergency of Kevin Greenidge as part of the Montreal convention did not meet the criteria of an “accident”. The judge found that the actions of the flight crew, which deviate from the airline's airline, were neither unexpectedly nor unusual in view of the circumstances.

Greenidge was a passenger on the American Airlines Flight 614 from Honduras to New York when he passed out in the middle of flight. His mother's complaint, which was submitted in May 2024, accused the airline of poor occupation training, the inadequate equipment and the delayed answers to the demands of the family members to receive help, which ultimately led to the death of her son.

American Airlines argued that Greenidge's death was not due to an “accident” that was defined by the Montreal Convention, but from its existing diseases, including asthma, obesity, diabetes and sleep apnea. Even in view of Arzu's allegations, judge Pittman decided that the acts of the occupation, attempts to provide help and to follow emergency protocols, were not unusual given the state of health.

In addition, the judge confirmed the attitude of the American Airlines for a second claim in the lawsuit and found that the airline was not obliged to pay an amount of $ 21,000 under the conditions of transport. After the decision, the conditions of the airline provides for a discretionary, non -mandatory payment in such cases.

Darren P. Nicholson, a lawyer of Arzu, expressed the intention of making an appeal against the decision. He pointed out problems with the inconsistency of the automated external defibrillator (AED) and the failure of the airline to comply with the emergency procedures. “The Federal Act demands operational AED machines for the security of all passengers,” said Nicholson. “We do not agree that the failure of the AED and the repeated failure of the crew to follow procedures were not” accidents “as part of the Montreal Convention.”

The legal team of Arzu of Burns Charest LLP continues for the struggle for the judiciary, whereby an appeal has already been submitted. American Airlines still has to make an explanation for the decision.