CHICAGO— A United Airlines (UA) senior pilot alleges he was wrongfully forced into alcohol rehabilitation and later fired after a head injury was mischaracterized as alcoholism. The pilot, who was based out of Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), has filed a federal lawsuit following the ordeal.
Captain Michael Tallon claims that despite showing signs of post-concussion syndrome after a fall in the Azores, United Airlines required him to undergo addiction treatment under threat of termination, even though no medical evidence supported an alcohol dependency, the Independent UK Reported.
Photo: Clément AlloingUnited Pilot Head Injury Misdiagnosed as Alcoholism
Tallon’s legal complaint, filed in federal court in Chicago, outlines how his June 2023 head injury during a layover in the Azores spiraled into a mischaracterization of substance abuse.
He sustained a visible head injury after tripping on cobblestones, resulting in slurred speech and confusion — classic symptoms of a concussion.
However, instead of receiving medical treatment for his injury as required under United Airlines’ own procedures, Tallon was allegedly funneled into the Human Intervention Motivation Study (HIMS) — a substance abuse recovery program commonly used in the aviation industry.
The airline allegedly did this after a United manager questioned his sobriety based on a single admission: he had one drink with dinner.
According to Tallon’s suit, the initial response ignored obvious concussion symptoms and instead focused on speculative alcohol misuse.
His union representative, affiliated with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), allegedly pushed him to admit to alcoholism, threatening his job if he didn’t comply.
Photo: Aero Icarus | FlickrMedical Evaluations Found No Alcohol Disorder
Following his coerced enrollment in an inpatient rehabilitation center in Connecticut, multiple health professionals concluded that Tallon did not meet diagnostic criteria for any substance abuse disorder.
The facility discharged him without a diagnosis. His primary care physician, outpatient therapist, Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor, and even an aftercare counselor all supported the finding: Tallon was not an alcoholic.
Nonetheless, United reportedly insisted on additional neuropsychological testing and psychological treatment for “denial” — a term commonly associated with recovery programs — despite repeated evaluations showing no signs of addiction.
Eventually, a psychologist engaged by the airline confirmed in an April 2024 report that Tallon did not demonstrate any signs of alcohol abuse. Tallon subsequently refused to undergo further testing, citing the absence of any legitimate diagnosis.
Photo: Charles | FlickrTermination and Legal Action
In February 2025, United Airlines terminated Tallon’s employment, citing his refusal to continue with the HIMS program.
The complaint alleges that by categorizing his termination under non-compliance with HIMS rather than a medical discharge related to his concussion, the airline avoided millions in long-term disability payments.
Tallon, who served as a check airman for United’s Boeing 737 (B737) fleet with nearly 30 years of experience and a salary exceeding $400,000, is seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages, and a court-ordered revision of the HIMS protocol.
His attorney, Mike Lueder, criticized the process as “Kafkaesque,” emphasizing the psychological toll of forcing someone without addiction into intensive substance abuse recovery. Meanwhile, both United Airlines and ALPA declined to comment on the ongoing legal matter.
Photo: Andrew E. Cohen | FlickrA Larger Issue Within Aviation Medicine?
The case brings to light broader concerns about the airline industry’s handling of pilot medical evaluations, particularly when mental health and substance abuse protocols intersect with unrelated medical conditions.
Critics argue that the rigid structure of recovery programs like HIMS may leave no room for error, nuance, or due process.
Tallon’s lawsuit may serve as a catalyst for reassessing how airlines balance safety, due diligence, and employee rights when health concerns arise.
For now, Tallon says he’s trying to move forward: “I didn’t want to sue anyone. I just wanted to fly. But I had to stand up for myself.”
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