NEW YORK– A federal court has dismissed a wrongful death lawsuit linked to a fatal medical emergency that occurred aboard a JetBlue Airways (B6) flight at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The case stemmed from a 2019 incident involving a passenger who died following a seizure and a confrontation with law enforcement on the aircraft.
The lawsuit was filed by the father of Evgeniy Lagoda, a 39-year-old Russian national traveling through New York while connecting from Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) to Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) in Kingston, Jamaica.
JetBlue’s In-Flight Medical Emergency at JFK
The incident occurred on April 12, 2019, shortly after JetBlue Flight 659 pushed back from the gate and began taxiing for departure. Lagoda suddenly suffered a severe seizure that caused violent convulsions and bleeding from his mouth.
Cabin crew members immediately responded, and three off-duty nurses onboard assisted in moving the passenger to the rear galley area. They placed him on his side with cushioning support to help him recover safely while the seizure subsided.
After several minutes, Lagoda regained consciousness but appeared highly disoriented and agitated. As medical helpers attempted to explain the situation, he unexpectedly struck one nurse and later punched a flight attendant who tried to intervene.
The pilots immediately aborted the taxi and returned the aircraft to the gate to allow authorities and medical teams to respond.
Police Response to the Case
When the aircraft reached the gate, a Port Authority Police officer boarded the plane to manage the escalating situation. Witnesses reported that Lagoda stood in the galley with clenched fists and appeared aggressive.
According to testimony, Lagoda lunged toward the officer, prompting the officer to deploy pepper spray. The spray had little effect, and Lagoda continued to resist while attempting to strike the officer.
The officer then forced Lagoda to the floor in an effort to restrain him. During the struggle, Lagoda reportedly bit the officer’s leg and attempted to reach for the officer’s duty belt.
Concerned about the possibility of his firearm being accessed, the officer struck Lagoda while calling for backup. Additional officers soon arrived and assisted in restraining him while he continued resisting.
Once handcuffed, officers quickly realized Lagoda was no longer breathing. They immediately removed the restraints and began CPR while crew members brought an onboard defibrillator and oxygen equipment.
Emergency medical personnel later arrived and transported Lagoda to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead later that evening.
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Court Ruled There Was No Violation
An autopsy conducted the following day determined that Lagoda suffered a grand mal seizure, medically known as a tonic-clonic seizure.
According to PYOK, the report concluded that the seizure was complicated by a condition known as excited delirium, now commonly referred to as acute behavioral disturbance.
The New York State Attorney General’s office reviewed the incident in 2020 and concluded that the officers’ actions did not violate the law. Investigators found insufficient evidence to prove that the use of force was unjustified.
In the most recent ruling, US District Judge Naomi Buchwald dismissed the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Lagoda’s father. The judge determined that the plaintiff failed to demonstrate that the officers’ actions directly caused the death or that the force used was unreasonable.
The court also noted that the lawsuit was filed beyond the required 12-month legal deadline for such claims. As a result, the case could not proceed regardless of other legal arguments.
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