A 14-year-old boy, Kevin Greenidge, passed away after a medical emergency on American Airlines Flight 614 from Honduras to New York on June 4, 2022. Kevin’s mother, Melissa Arzu, has subsequently filed a lawsuit against the airline, citing negligence and alleging the flight crew lacked proper training.
The lawsuit, initially filed in New York in 2023, was refiled in Texas on May 13, 2024, after American Airlines requested the case be transferred to its home state. The latest filing details that Kevin fell unconscious mid-flight, and despite urgent calls for assistance from his family, the flight crew allegedly responded late and had trouble operating the automated external defibrillator (AED) on board. The complaint includes eyewitness testimonies stating that the AED issued warnings for a shock to be given, but no shock was delivered, and the machine continued to advise CPR.
An emergency landing was made in Cancun, Mexico. Kevin was rushed to a local hospital where he was declared dead. Arzu asserts that the flight crew’s delayed and ineffective response, coupled with their failure to operate the AED, played a part in her son’s demise.
Arzu expressed her anguish and frustration in a statement: “It left me feeling hopeless. I demand answers from American Airlines. They need to take full responsibility for Kevin’s death. I don’t want any other child or family to go through this.”
The lawsuit alleges that American Airlines failed to adequately train its staff for in-flight medical emergencies. It further states that the plane’s emergency medical kit was unmarked and insufficient. The airline is also accused of not allowing the family’s legal team to inspect the AED machine, which seems to have been either destroyed or lost.
The family argues in the complaint that if the flight had the necessary medical equipment in good working order and the crew was sufficiently trained, Kevin’s chances of survival would have been significantly higher. They seek justice and hope to prevent other families from experiencing a similar situation.
American Airlines, in a statement, expressed condolences to the Greenidge family and refrained from commenting further due to the ongoing litigation.
Hannah Crowe, the attorney representing Arzu, emphasized the severity of the case, saying, “The loss of a child is unimaginable, and the details of this case are appalling.”
Kevin Greenidge was on his way home from summer vacation in Honduras when the incident occurred. His untimely death has spurred a significant legal dispute, raising questions about the readiness of flight crews to handle medical emergencies.
The aviation industry has been under increased scrutiny regarding the adequacy of onboard medical equipment and flight personnel training. Regulations have mandated the inclusion of AEDs on flights since 2004, with requirements for proper maintenance and labeling.
This lawsuit underscores the vital need for comprehensive training and regular equipment checks to manage in-flight medical emergencies. The case’s outcome could potentially influence changes in airline policies and training programs, thereby enhancing passenger safety.
