Passenger Claims American Airlines Flight Attendant Repeatedly Punched Him
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."
H/T: USA Today
