{"id":113819,"date":"2025-09-19T19:02:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T13:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=113819"},"modified":"2025-09-19T18:59:28","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T13:29:28","slug":"american-airlines-ordered-to-pay-9-6m-to-stroke-passenger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/19\/american-airlines-ordered-to-pay-9-6m-to-stroke-passenger\/","title":{"rendered":"American Airlines Ordered to Pay $9.6M Amid Flight Attendants Mistakes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FORT WORTH\u2013<\/strong> A federal jury in California has ordered American Airlines (AA)<\/a> to pay US$9.6 million in damages for failing to respond properly when a passenger suffered a stroke on board a transatlantic flight. The ruling centers on Flight 68 from Miami (MIA) to Madrid (MAD) in March 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The San Jose (SJC)-based jury found that American Airlines (AA) did not follow its own medical emergency procedures after Watsonville, California, resident Jesus Plasencia showed clear signs of a stroke shortly after take-off. The decision underscores the importance of airline responsibilities in handling in-flight medical incidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"American
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

American Airlines Ordered to Pay $9.6m to Passenger<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to evidence presented during the six-day trial, Plasencia, a chef, had already suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA) while still at the gate in Miami (MIA)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A TIA, sometimes called a mini stroke, is caused by a temporary reduction in blood flow to the brain and often serves as a warning sign of a possible stroke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plasencia was unaware of what had occurred, but his wife, Marcela Tavantzis, quickly noticed that he had lost motor control and began speaking incoherently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She alerted a flight attendant, yet despite American\u2019s written protocols, the incident was not escalated to medical professionals before departure. Instead, a pilot cleared Plasencia for take-off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"American
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Medical Emergency Mishandled<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Shortly after take-off, Plasencia began displaying stroke symptoms, including impaired speech and mobility. Rather than notifying the captain or seeking emergency medical support, crew members reportedly asked other passengers to keep an eye on him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, Plasencia went without urgent treatment for more than eight hours. In most cases, airlines divert flights when passengers experience severe medical emergencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The jury concluded that American Airlines violated its policies and neglected passenger safety. Lawyers for Plasencia argued that this failure delayed critical treatment and significantly worsened his condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n