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| NY man sues airlines over plane attack |
| 2011-12-22 |
| A NEW York man is suing two airlines for $US10 million in damages for injuries he says he incurred when he jumped on a Nigerian man who tried to blow up a Detroit-bound airliner with a bomb in his underwear. Theophilus Maranga filed the lawsuit Wednesday (local time) in federal court in Manhattan. He named as defendants Delta Air Lines, Inc., Air France-KLM and Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who awaits sentencing after admitting he tried to blow up the plane. Maranga claims the airlines were negligent to let Abdulmutallab aboard. The Wappinger Falls man says he suffered numerous injuries after jumping on Abdulmutallab when he tried to bring down a Christmas 2009 Amsterdam-to-Detroit flight with 290 people aboard. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #13 The guy probably saved them the cost of a plane - if the airline doesn't really care that much about the lives saved. That alone is probably higher than his medical bills. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2011-12-22 16:37 |
| #12 So, JQC, imagine the airline uses this as their defense. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2011-12-22 11:53 |
| #11 I don't believe TSA as a National Defense filter abrogates the airline industry's responsibility to provide a safe service environment. I don't either but the Feds have eclipsed that responsibility much like they have taken kept States from enforcing immigration laws. The Tenth Amendment has been much weakened. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2011-12-22 11:51 |
| #10 Hey, if the dude was injured doing his good deed I don't begrudge him a healthy payday in the courts. Having an impartial judge decide this kind is thing is exactly why we have a legal system instead of just shooting it out in the streets like Somalia -- or Iraq. |
| Posted by: Scooter McGruder 2011-12-22 11:22 |
| #9 The other passengers probably would have taken up a collection for him. He should have just asked while they were still on the plane |
| Posted by: bigjim-CA 2011-12-22 11:00 |
| #8 IMO: it's lawfare from the other (ours) end. Bravo Mr Maranga---civic courage is much rarer than a physical one! |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2011-12-22 10:59 |
| #7 Again, it strikes me the motive is deeper than a bandage. Maybe that just hope for the Christmas season. The civil court is an excellent forum for public examination of service responsibility. I don't believe TSA as a National Defense filter abrogates the airline industry's responsibility to provide a safe service environment. In a microcosm, similiar rules are applied at 'last call' and bartenders empowered to 'cut off' patrons. |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2011-12-22 10:55 |
| #6 An additional thought. The airlines don't have the investigative where-with-all to check each and every passenger. TSA is charged with the task of screening and investigating passengers. Take it up with big Sis. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2011-12-22 09:48 |
| #5 He's suing the airlines rather than TSA because he stands to get much more money. The Feds liability is capped in the courts. Meanwhile, if he loses or wins, the rest of the airline travelers pay more for tickets and add-ons. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2011-12-22 09:45 |
| #4 suffered numerous injuries after jumping on Abdulmutallab But he wouldn't have those problems if he hadn't jumped the guy. Of course the bomb might not have gone off anyway - maybe it fizzled 'cuz Abdooodoo pizzled on it... |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2011-12-22 09:10 |
| #3 Guy saves the airline from millions in lost publicity and life insurance claims, and they can't even spring for a band-aid once it's all over and done with. If corporations weren't such assholes all the time, they wouldn't get sued so much. |
| Posted by: gromky 2011-12-22 05:25 |
| #2 That was my first reaction as well. But i suppose it is possible he might have been injured somehow, so I have shelved my first reaction until I learn more. Unfortunately first reactions are usually the right ones. |
| Posted by: Whiskey Mike 2011-12-22 04:10 |
| #1 Apparently it is a short flight from hero to chump looking for a payday. |
| Posted by: SteveS 2011-12-22 03:33 |