On June 4, 2022, a 14-year-old boy named Kevin Greenidge died after experiencing a medical emergency mid-flight on American Airlines Flight 614 from Honduras to New York. Kevin’s mother, Melissa Arzu, has filed a lawsuit against the airline, alleging negligence and insufficient flight crew training.
The lawsuit was initially filed in New York in 2023 but was refiled in Texas on Monday, May 13, 2024, after American Airlines requested the case be moved to its home state. According to the most recent filing, Kevin became unconscious during the flight. Despite the immediate calls for help from his family, the flight crew allegedly delayed their response and struggled to operate the automated external defibrillator (AED) on board. Eyewitness accounts included in the complaint state that each time the AED issued a warning for a shock to be administered, no shock was delivered, and the machine continued to advise CPR.
The flight made an emergency landing in Cancun, Mexico where Kevin was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead. Arzu claims that the lack of prompt and effective response from the flight crew, coupled with their inability to operate the AED, contributed to her son’s death.
In a statement, Arzu expressed her deep frustration and grief: “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 train its personnel properly for in-flight medical emergencies and that the emergency medical kit on the plane was unmarked and insufficient. It also claims that the airline did not allow the family’s legal counsel to inspect the AED machine, which appears to have been destroyed or misplaced.
In the complaint, the family argues that if the flight had been properly equipped with functioning medical devices and the crew adequately trained, Kevin’s chances of survival would have been significantly higher. The family seeks justice and to ensure that no other family has to endure a similar ordeal.
American Airlines released a statement expressing condolences to Greenidge’s family and declined to comment further due to ongoing litigation.
Attorney Hannah Crowe, representing Arzu, highlighted the gravity of the case, stating, “The loss of a child is unimaginable, and the details of this case are appalling.
Kevin Greenidge was returning home from a summer vacation in Honduras. His death has sparked a significant legal battle, highlighting concerns over the preparedness of flight crews to handle medical emergencies.
The aviation industry has faced increasing scrutiny over the adequacy of medical equipment and training of flight personnel. According to regulations, airlines have been required to have AEDs on board since 2004, and these devices must be properly maintained and labeled.
This lawsuit highlights the critical need for rigorous training and equipment checks to handle medical emergencies in flight. The outcome could lead to changes in airline policies and training programs to enhance passenger safety.