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Passenger Claims American Airlines Flight Attendant Repeatedly Punched Him

Jan. 17, 2019
•
2 min read
John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York
Passenger Claims American Airlines Flight Attendant Repeatedly Punched Him
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An American Airlines passenger has filed a lawsuit in US District Court in New Jersey claiming an AA flight attendant repeatedly punched him in the face and head. The passenger, Gregory Lagana, was on flight 1798 from Charlotte on Jan. 5, 2018.

Lagana is claiming that the flight attendant, Lance Wiley, repeatedly punched him while he was seated with his seat belt fastened. According to the lawsuit "As a result of the accident, plaintiff suffered severe, serious and permanent personal injuries, as well as mental and emotional injuries rendering him permanently and severely injured."

According to Lagana's lawyer, the alleged incident occurred when Wiley was coming through the cabin with the beverage service, and the two men had a disagreement over Lagana's drink order. The lawsuit states that Lagana "was not invloved in any wrongdoing that jeopardized the safety of the aircraft." Lagana is being represented by Edward P. Capozzi of Brach Eichler, L.L.C. in New Jersey.

The lawsuit alleges that Lagana suffered "scalp hematomas, abrasions, swelling, redness, bruising and defensive wounds to his hand" as a result of the altercation and had to receive neurological, neurosurgical and chiropractic treatments from Princeton Medical Center in New Jersey.

"The guy literally beat the crap out of him," Capozzi told USA Today. TPG's request for comment to Capozzi were not returned.

The lawsuit is seeking a minimum of $161,000. American Airlines was served with the suit on Monday. A spokesperson for the airline told TPG that American is "reviewing the details of the flight."

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H/T: USA Today

Featured image by Getty Images

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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  • Annual Fee is $325.
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