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.’
