FORT WORTH– A federal jury in California has ordered American Airlines (AA) to pay US$9.6 million in damages for failing to respond properly when a passenger suffered a stroke on board a transatlantic flight. The ruling centers on Flight 68 from Miami (MIA) to Madrid (MAD) in March 2021.
The San Jose (SJC)-based jury found that American Airlines (AA) did not follow its own medical emergency procedures after Watsonville, California, resident Jesus Plasencia showed clear signs of a stroke shortly after take-off. The decision underscores the importance of airline responsibilities in handling in-flight medical incidents.
Photo: Clément AlloingAmerican Airlines Ordered to Pay $9.6m to Passenger
According to evidence presented during the six-day trial, Plasencia, a chef, had already suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA) while still at the gate in Miami (MIA).
A TIA, sometimes called a mini stroke, is caused by a temporary reduction in blood flow to the brain and often serves as a warning sign of a possible stroke.
Plasencia was unaware of what had occurred, but his wife, Marcela Tavantzis, quickly noticed that he had lost motor control and began speaking incoherently.
She alerted a flight attendant, yet despite American’s written protocols, the incident was not escalated to medical professionals before departure. Instead, a pilot cleared Plasencia for take-off.
Photo: Clément AlloingMedical Emergency Mishandled
Shortly after take-off, Plasencia began displaying stroke symptoms, including impaired speech and mobility. Rather than notifying the captain or seeking emergency medical support, crew members reportedly asked other passengers to keep an eye on him.
As a result, Plasencia went without urgent treatment for more than eight hours. In most cases, airlines divert flights when passengers experience severe medical emergencies.
The jury concluded that American Airlines violated its policies and neglected passenger safety. Lawyers for Plasencia argued that this failure delayed critical treatment and significantly worsened his condition.
Legal Basis: The Montreal Convention
Attorneys representing Plasencia and Tavantzis cited the Montreal Convention, an international treaty that provides passengers with specific protections on international flights.
Under this framework, the jury found American liable for not safeguarding the passenger as required by law.
Lead counsel Darren Nicholson of Dallas-based Burns Charest criticized the airline’s defense, stating that American tried to argue the stroke was caused by pre-existing conditions rather than its own neglect. Co-counsel Hannah Crowe and San Mateo-based lawyer Sanjiv Singh also represented the family in the case.
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Photo: Cado PhotoAirline Response
Following the verdict, American Airlines issued a statement emphasizing that passenger safety remains its highest priority. However, the carrier disagreed with the jury’s decision and said it is currently reviewing potential next steps.
The case highlights growing scrutiny on how airlines respond to in-flight medical incidents. With long-haul international flights, quick decisions and medical diversion protocols can make the difference between recovery and life-altering outcomes.
Industry observers suggest the ruling may push carriers to revisit training and procedures to avoid similar liability in future cases.
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