A U.S. jury has ordered American Airlines to pay $11 million in damages to a California passenger who suffered a catastrophic stroke during an international flight after the pilot allegedly dismissed his initial symptoms and cleared the aircraft for takeoff.
The ruling came after a six-day trial concerning the November 2021 incident aboard Flight AA68 from Miami to Madrid, where 67-year-old Jesus Plasencia experienced a transient ischemic attack while the plane was still at the gate.
Court documents reveal Plasencia's wife alerted crew members to his condition, but the pilot reportedly joked with Plasencia, and cleared him for takeoff" rather than following protocols to contact medical experts.
Hannah Crowe, one of the attorneys representing the couple: "Under a treaty called the Montreal Convention, passengers have extra protections on international flights, the jury rightfully determined American violated the law."
After departure, Plasencia suffered a severe stroke over the Atlantic Ocean. Medical professionals onboard assisted but reported the aircraft lacked basic equipment like a blood pressure cuff.
Upon landing in Madrid, Plasencia was hospitalized in critical condition for three weeks before returning to the U.S. via air ambulance.
The lawsuit claimed that proper protocol would have led to medical consultation and emergency hospitalization in Miami, potentially preventing the permanent damage that left Plasencia unable to speak, walk, or care for himself.
An American Airlines spokesperson said: "The safety and well-being of our passengers is our highest priority. While we respect the jury's decision, we disagree with the verdict and are currently evaluating next steps."
The $11 million award includes $9.6 million in damages plus interest, marking a significant ruling under international aviation liability conventions that prioritize passenger safety on cross-border flights.