In a tragic incident that has left a family shattered and seeking answers, Melissa Arzu, a New York City mother, is suing American Airlines following the death of her 14-year-old son, Kevin Greenidge. The teen passed away after suffering a medical emergency during a flight from Honduras to Miami in 2022. The lawsuit, filed earlier this month in Texas, alleges that the defibrillator on board the flight was faulty and that the airline’s crew was inadequately trained to handle the emergency.
Kevin Greenidge was returning home from a vacation with a family member when he lost consciousness mid-flight. According to the lawsuit, the cabin crew was slow to respond to the situation. When they did attempt to resuscitate Kevin, the automated external defibrillator (AED) they used reportedly malfunctioned. Multiple eyewitnesses confirmed that the AED appeared not to work, exacerbating the already dire situation.
The grieving mother’s attorney, Hannah Crowe, highlighted that after Kevin’s death, the defibrillator mysteriously went missing. “Did someone at American intentionally destroy it? Is it defective? Put back out in service? These are all really serious violations of the federal laws that are in place to protect passengers,” Crowe stated. This missing equipment is a central point of the lawsuit, raising questions about the airline’s compliance with safety regulations.
Since 2004, defibrillators have been mandatory on all passenger aircraft, classified as “no-go” equipment by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This means that a plane cannot be dispatched if the defibrillator is missing or inoperable. The lawsuit claims that American Airlines failed to adhere to these critical safety standards, which could have prevented Kevin’s death.
Kevin, who suffered from asthma and type 2 diabetes, was found to have died from a myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack. This condition underscores the importance of having functional emergency medical equipment readily available and a well-trained crew capable of responding swiftly and effectively.
Further compounding the family’s grief is the claim that American Airlines failed to submit an advance payment of $113,100 for Kevin’s death, a policy that the airline purportedly has in place for such tragic events. Despite the company’s statement expressing their condolences, Melissa Arzu has stated that she never heard from American Airlines directly after her son’s death. “It made me feel hopeless. I want answers from American Airlines. I want American Airlines to take full responsibility for Kevin’s death. I never want this to happen to a child or family again,” she declared in a statement.
Adding to the family’s distress is the legal battle over the jurisdiction of the lawsuit. Originally filed in New York, the case was dismissed as American Airlines fought to have the trial held in Fort Worth, Texas, where the company is based. “American Airlines has compounded her injury by fighting to have the case in Texas and forcing her to have to fly out here,” Crowe explained. “It’s making things harder for her after the trauma she’s already suffered.”
The lawsuit seeks not only compensation for the family’s loss but also aims to bring attention to the critical need for airlines to ensure their emergency equipment is functional and their staff properly trained. The case underscores the importance of strict adherence to safety protocols and the human cost when these standards are not met.
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As Melissa Arzu continues her fight for justice, she remains committed to ensuring that no other family endures the same pain. Her pursuit of accountability from American Airlines is not just about seeking answers for her son’s death but also about advocating for safer skies for all passengers.
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