Intrusive security and bumpy rides are bad enough but survivors of one flight are blaming bad chicken for the death of a man flying from Spain to New York’s JFK earlier this year.
The widow and daughter of Othon Cortes are suing American airlines and a catering company for US$1 million.
Cortes, 73, complained of “discomfort and pain that included sharp stomach cramps and sudden thirst and other clear outward manifestation of severe physical illness,” according to CNN.
The deceased’s wife, Raquel, said her husband’s condition was “expressed and obvious” to the airline’s staff, the Miami New Times reported, but he was still permitted to board the plane anyway.
Cortes complained of nausea and shortness of breath during the flight. He became unresponsive during a cardiac event. An emergency landing was made in Norfolk, Va., where he was pronounced dead.
The suit alleges "AA was negligent in allowing Othon to board the domestic flight, failing to provide medical attention and waiting too long to (make) an emergency landing."
The U.S. Department of Transportation told MSNBC that it was not aware of any complaints of airlines that should have prevented a passenger from “boarding due to illness but who nevertheless were allowed to fly.”
By David Wilkening
