American Airlines accused of letting passenger die after horror health emergency
A major airline has been accused of allowing a passenger who was unfit to fly to continue onto a connecting flight despite showing signs of 'medical distress' before crew on the second flight 'delayed requesting medical assistance' after he suffered a medical emergency, later dying in hospital.
Legal action is being taken against American Airlines after John William Cannon, 62, from Kentucky, became ill on a journey to Colorado on April 28. He flew from Louisville to Dallas without appearing unwell but he is said to have suffered a 'syncopal event', or a fainting episode, on the jet bridge while disembarking, in the lawsuit by his family. It is alleged that Mr Cannon was helped back to his feet and after just two minutes he was allowed to make the connecting flight.
His family allege that airline personnel helped him to his gate while he was showing 'concerning signs of medical distress'. While on the second leg of the journey to Durango in Colorado, Mr Cannon'entered a stage of medical crisis' and became 'unresponsive' it is claimed.
He is said to have been "in and out of consciousness" and was displaying "laboured breathing". But 'despite Mr. Cannon's escalating medical crisis,' the crew on the flight 'delayed requesting medical assistance until after the aircraft had landed, taxied to the gate, and all other passengers had deplaned,' according to the lawsuit.
Now, his family are saying the crew failed to act quickly enough. Mr Cannon's family alleges that his subsequent heart attack and death in the early hours of April 29 'was the direct and proximate result of the negligence and fault' of American Airlines and its crew, reported the Sacramento Bee.
Mr Cannon's son Kyle is bringing the lawsuit against American Airlines and a regional carrier with the allegation that they did not do enough to help him or get assistance quickly enough. In the lawsuit it tells how Mr Cannon had caught American Airlines Flight 1444 from Louisville to Dallas-Fort Worth at around 12.30pm on April 28, and then collapsed after landing.
'Two minutes and fifteen seconds later, John was released to make his connecting flight'' the lawsuit adds. 'While Mr Cannon exhibited concerning signs of medical distress, AAL personnel proceeded to transfer him to his connecting flight.'
He then flew on his connecting flight from Dallas to Durango, but is said to have fallen unconscious "during the flight, and/or at the time of deboarding". The complaint states flight crew called emergency services to report Mr Cannon's deteriorating condition, but alleges that they only did so after the deplaning process was complete.
Emergency services rushed to the scene to give Mr Cannon "oxygen treatment" before he was removed from the aircraft with the help of paramedics, according to the suit. He was taken to hospital in an ambulance, but during the journey suffered a "sinus bradycardia" - a heart rhythm where your heart beats slower than expected, which progressed to full cardiac arrest.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, Mr Cannon did not resume sustained heart rhythm and effective blood flow, and was pronounced dead the next morning at 1.29am. Mr Cannon was due to be picked up from the airport by his best firend, with his family's lawyers telling the Mail: "They were going to his partner's celebration of life. She passed away previously."
The lawsuit was initially filed in Denver County District Court, but moved to Denver federal court on Tuesday. It accuses American Airlines of negligent delay in medical air, failure to deny boarding in Dalla, neglect in first aid delivery, and medical triage negligence.
It also claims crew did not pay appropriate attention to Mr Cannon's condition, failed to prioritise his needs, and did not take reasonable steps to get him into the care of a doctor in a timely manner. The family are seeking $75,000 (£52,200) in damages, along with other related court costs and attorney fees. American Airlines have reportedly said in a statement: "We are reviewing the complaint."
Joe LoRusso and Jessica McBryant, both of Ramos Law, are representing Mr Cannon's son who is seeking compensation. 'The circumstances of this case represent a tangible manifestation of a corporate culture at American Airlines that prioritises inaction over intervention,' LoRusso and McBryant, said in a statement provided to McClatchy News.
'This ingrained culture, to which John Cannon tragically fell victim, underscores a systemic issue the family is determined to address, both in seeking justice for John and in advocating for broader organizational change." The Mirror has contacted American Airlines for comment.
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