United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
United Airlines sued after elderly passenger falls on escalator
Saturday, 26 Jul, 2016
0
An elderly air traveler is suing United Airlines after sustaining multiple injuries falling down an escalator because the airline did not provide a wheelchair as promised.
Thelma Kiger, 89, claimed in the lawsuit she broke several ribs, fractured her pelvis and had injuries to her shoulder, arm, back and legs.
She said she was given a wheelchair voucher in Los Angeles for assistance on arrival at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, but no attendant with a wheelchair was waiting.
The lawsuit says an airport worker operating an electric cart helped her to an escalator.
"With no other assistance by United, or any explanation as to whether she would be provided any further assistance to the baggage claim area on the lower level, Plaintiff attempted to access the escalator to go down to the baggage claim area," the lawsuit alleges.
"As Plaintiff grabbed the handrail to step onto the escalator, suddenly and unexpectedly, she fell to the bottom of the escalator and was knocked unconscious."
Kiger was in hospital for a week and underwent several weeks of physical therapy thereafter.
The lawsuit alleges negligence, negligent training and violation of the Air Carrier Access Act, which requires airlines to ‘provide assistance requested by or on behalf of qualified individuals with a disability.’
A United spokeswoman said the airline is ‘looking into this matter with our wheelchair service partner.’
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Walt Leger on New Orleans’ Resilience and Major Events Ahead
Cindy Mackin Shares Estes Park’s Winter Thrills
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel
Report: Cruise guest died after ship lashed in heavy storm
British teen in serious condition after paraglider collision