FORT WORTH- American Airlines (AA) is facing renewed $170K lawsuit after the family of a teenage passenger filed an appeal against a district court ruling that absolved the airline of liability in a tragic in-flight medical emergency.
The case stems from a June 2022 incident aboard American Airlines flight AA614, which departed from Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport, San Pedro Sula (SAP), bound for Miami International Airport (MIA).
The family of 14-year-old passenger Kevin Greenidge argues that flight attendants mishandled the emergency and failed to follow established medical protocols, which they believe contributed to his death.
They are now seeking damages under the Montreal Convention, with the appeal being heard by the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Photo: By Fabrizio Gandolfo – https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/8100832, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43525690American Airlines Faces $170K Lawsuit
At the heart of the case is whether American Airlines can be held liable for the actions of its crew during a medical emergency.
Kevin, who suffered from asthma, Type II diabetes, and obesity, experienced breathing difficulties shortly after takeoff. His family provided him with an inhaler, but his condition rapidly worsened until he fell unconscious, leading to what was later described as cardiac arrest.
According to family accounts, supported by details reported by PYOK, the flight attendants’ response was delayed and disorganized.
The family alleges that standard protocols, which include alerting the pilots immediately, requesting medical consultation from an on-call physician, and initiating CPR were not followed promptly.
Instead, Kevin was moved to the galley by volunteers, where an off-duty nurse and surgeon attempted to resuscitate him.
The pilots were only informed after several minutes had passed, at which point the aircraft diverted to Cancún International Airport (CUN).
However, the airline’s contracted ground-based physician service was never contacted, a fact that forms a central point of contention in the legal battle.
Photo: Andrew E. Cohen | FlickrFamily’s Allegations Against American Airlines
The Greenidge family contends that the flight attendants’ handling of the emergency was not only inadequate but also negligent.
In their claim, they argue that crew members failed to take on assigned emergency roles, communicator, responder, and runner, resulting in confusion that delayed treatment.
They also describe one attendant as “panicky” and “frazzled,” which they believe compromised the medical response.
The lawsuit, filed under Article 17 of the Montreal Convention, asserts that deviations from established procedures constitute “accidents” under international aviation law. This interpretation, if accepted, would make American Airlines liable for up to $170,000 in damages.
However, the district court initially rejected this reasoning. Judge Mark Pittman acknowledged that the crew could have “done more to aid Kevin,” but concluded that no “unusual or unexpected” circumstances existed.
He further noted that medical responses in stressful, airborne situations are rarely perfect.
Photo: American AirlinesBroader Implications
The appeal now before the Fifth Circuit could carry major implications for how airlines are held accountable in similar cases.
Advocacy group FlyersRights has filed supporting arguments, warning that the lower court’s decision risks creating a double standard in passenger rights.
According to FlyersRights President Paul Hudson, the ruling effectively introduces “a discriminatory framework” where airlines are judged differently depending on a passenger’s preexisting medical conditions.
This, he argues, undermines equal protection under the Montreal Convention by suggesting that passengers with chronic illnesses or disabilities are entitled to a lower standard of in-flight medical care.
If the appellate court sides with the family, the case could redefine how courts interpret crew responsibilities during emergencies and potentially lead to stricter enforcement of medical protocols across the airline industry.
Photo: JFK SpottingOngoing Appeal
The case, filed as Appeal No. 25-10606, is currently under review by the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
The court will determine whether the initial judgment overlooked key legal obligations under the Montreal Convention and whether the airline’s emergency response can be classified as an “accident” under international law.
A ruling in favor of the Greenidge family could set a precedent that increases airline liability for medical emergencies, reshaping training requirements and procedural expectations for flight attendants worldwide.
Conversely, if the original judgment is upheld, airlines may gain broader legal protection in situations where passengers’ preexisting conditions play a significant role in the outcome of emergencies.
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