FORT WORTH- American Airlines (AA) faces a $500,000 lawsuit from passenger Njeri Williams after a flight attendant fell on her due to an unruly passenger’s actions on a flight from Washington (DCA) to New York (JFK).
The airline attempted to dismiss the case, but a judge ruled that negligence claims must be addressed in court.
The incident, occurring on May 30, 2021, aboard flight AA2123, highlights issues of passenger safety and airline responsibility, with Williams alleging serious back injuries and American Airlines pointing to the unruly passenger as the sole cause, though the court found fault with the airline’s response.
Photo: Clément AlloingAmerican Airlines $500K Lawsuit
Njeri Williams filed her lawsuit against American Airlines (AA) in 2023, seeking $500,000 for compensatory and consequential damages after sustaining a severe back injury.
The incident unfolded on flight AA2123, departing Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, DC, bound for New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK).
While Williams slept in the front row, an aggressive passenger disrupted the cabin during a FaceTime call as the plane taxied for takeoff.
A flight attendant intervened, asking the passenger to end the call and switch her phone to airplane mode, but the woman ignored the request, escalating her combative behavior.
The crew decided to return to the gate to remove the disruptive passenger. Upon arrival, a ground manager engaged her in the forward galley rather than immediately escorting her off with her luggage.
During this delay, the passenger moved to retrieve her hand luggage, striking a second flight attendant walking forward to fetch a forgotten wallet.
This collision caused the attendant to fall onto Williams, resulting in her injury. Williams required hospital transport, enduring painful medical treatment, and physical therapy.
American Airlines argued the injury stemmed solely from the unruly passenger’s actions, seeking dismissal via summary judgment. However, US District Judge Amir Ali denied this motion on March 18, ruling that the airline failed to disprove negligence.
Williams countered that American’s internal policies mandate suspending cabin traffic during threatening behavior—a rule ignored when the attendant walked forward.
Additionally, a flight attendant’s report noted managers allowed the passenger to linger onboard longer than necessary, contradicting the airline’s claim of timely removal.
Photo: Tim | FlickrMontreal Convention Debate
American Airlines also invoked Article 17 of the Montreal Convention, which governs liability for passenger injuries on international flights, asserting that compensation should be capped at 128,821 Special Drawing Rights (approximately $170,940).
This cap applies when damages result solely from a third party’s negligence. The airline argued the unruly passenger’s actions triggered the incident, limiting their liability.
Judge Ali rejected this, stating American did not meet Article 21(2)’s burden to prove the injury was entirely unrelated to its own negligence.
The ruling underscores that the airline’s delayed response contributed to the event, exceeding the Convention’s cap criteria.
Photo: American Airlines Airbus A321 -231 Taxiing on the south si… | Flickr | Creator: Bill AbbottCase Progression and Implications
The lawsuit now heads to a jury trial, spotlighting airline obligations to ensure passenger safety amid disruptive behavior.
Williams’ legal team emphasized that the timely removal of the unruly passenger could have prevented the injury, pointing to procedural lapses by American Airlines’ staff and ground crew.
The case raises broader questions about how airlines handle such incidents and their accountability when internal protocols falter, potentially influencing future passenger rights litigation.
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