American Airlines Faces $500K Lawsuit After Flight Attendant Falls on Passenger
By Jennifer Ames | April 5, 2025
NEW YORK, NY – American Airlines has found itself at the center of a bizarre and potentially costly legal battle after a passenger filed a $500,000 lawsuit claiming severe physical and emotional trauma following an unexpected mid-flight accident involving a flight attendant.
The incident occurred on January 14, 2025, aboard Flight 2376 from Miami to New York’s LaGuardia Airport. According to the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the plaintiff, 56-year-old Samuel Lattimore of Queens, was seated in 14C — an aisle seat in the midsection of the aircraft — when the accident occurred.
What was supposed to be a routine beverage service turned chaotic when flight attendant Jennifer Choi allegedly tripped over an unsecured rolling cart during light turbulence and fell directly onto Lattimore.
“She didn’t just fall on him,” said the passenger’s attorney, Monica Rivas, in a press conference Friday. “She crashed into him, knees-first. We’re talking full body weight, midair momentum, and a beverage cart that went flying like a missile into the opposite aisle. It was mayhem. And now Mr. Lattimore is dealing with chronic neck pain, back issues, and anxiety whenever he flies.”
The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of both American Airlines and the flight crew, accusing them of failing to follow basic safety protocols, including properly securing carts during turbulence and ensuring flight attendants are safely maneuvering through the cabin.
“I thought I was going to die.”
Reached by phone, Lattimore described the moment of impact as “like getting hit by a human wrecking ball.”
“I was half-asleep, then BAM — I saw stars,” he recalled. “She was apologizing, but I couldn’t even breathe right. My shoulder jammed into the armrest, my head snapped back. I thought I was going to die.”
Lattimore claims he suffered a concussion, two herniated discs, and torn ligaments in his left shoulder. The lawsuit also includes a claim for emotional distress, asserting that Lattimore has developed aerophobia — an intense fear of flying — and is now undergoing therapy twice a week.
“I’ve flown at least ten times a year for work since 2001,” he said. “Now just the thought of getting on a plane makes my palms sweat. I Ubered to Atlanta last month instead of flying — that’s a 12-hour ride. This accident changed my life.”
American Airlines Responds
In a brief statement, American Airlines said they were “aware of the allegations” and “currently reviewing the legal filing.” The airline emphasized its commitment to passenger safety and added that it would “respond appropriately in court.”
“We regret any discomfort or inconvenience experienced by Mr. Lattimore,” the statement read. “However, we are confident that our staff followed standard operating procedures during the flight.”
American Airlines did not comment on whether disciplinary action was taken against the flight attendant involved.
Eyewitness Accounts Raise Questions
Two passengers seated near Lattimore have corroborated portions of his story in affidavits submitted with the lawsuit. One, 33-year-old Terrence Hughes, said the scene was “like something out of a sitcom, except nobody was laughing.”
“She was rushing down the aisle like she was in a hurry,” Hughes said. “The cart was wobbling. I don’t think she realized how bumpy it had gotten. Next thing you know, she trips and just launches forward. She basically body-slammed the guy. I couldn’t believe it.”
Another witness, Allison Becker, told reporters she heard Choi say, “Oh my God, I knew that cart wasn’t locked.”
If true, that admission could play a critical role in the case. Attorney Rivas insists this was “not a freak accident,” but “a clear example of negligence rooted in rushed procedures and inadequate safety checks.”
“She said it herself — she knew,” Rivas said. “That’s the very definition of gross negligence.”
Flight Attendant’s Union Weighs In
Choi, who has worked with American Airlines for over nine years, has not spoken publicly about the incident. However, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) released a statement defending her.
“This was an unfortunate accident, not a case of carelessness,” the statement read. “Our members routinely navigate cramped aisles, unpredictable turbulence, and high-stress situations to ensure passenger safety. Ms. Choi was doing her job under difficult conditions.”
The union also noted that weather reports from the day confirm the flight encountered moderate turbulence over the Carolinas, and suggested that Lattimore’s injuries may have been exacerbated by his position at the time of the incident — reportedly slouched with his head turned toward the aisle.
A Case of David vs. Goliath?
Legal experts are divided on the case’s potential success. While personal injury lawsuits involving airlines are not uncommon, the uniqueness of this particular scenario — a flight attendant falling onto a passenger — makes it harder to predict.
“Jurors will likely be sympathetic to Mr. Lattimore if he can demonstrate real physical and psychological injuries,” said Professor Leonard Kim of NYU Law School. “However, establishing fault might be more complex if turbulence played a significant role.”
Kim added that the airline might seek to settle out of court to avoid a prolonged trial and negative publicity.
“A trial would put flight protocols and safety training under the microscope,” he said. “American Airlines may prefer to write a check and make this go away quietly.”
Looking Ahead
For Lattimore, the battle is about more than just compensation.
“This isn’t about getting rich,” he said. “It’s about accountability. I don’t want this to happen to someone else. You trust airlines to keep you safe. I was just sitting in my seat — and now I’ve got pain every day.”
His attorney confirmed that they are open to a settlement but emphasized that “Mr. Lattimore’s primary concern is justice, not money.”
As the case proceeds through the courts, the aviation industry is once again reminded that safety in the skies extends beyond just turbulence and takeoffs — it includes every moment in the cabin, and every step down the aisle.
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