- John Cannon’s family files a wrongful death lawsuit against American Airlines for delaying medical assistance during his flight, putting AA under fire.
- The lawsuit claims the airline ignored serious signs of medical distress and delayed help until after landing, which has put AA under fire.
- The family seeks over $75,000 in damages for pain, suffering, and loss caused by the airline’s negligence, bringing AA under fire.
A man died during an American Airlines flight, and his family says the crew waited too long to help. Now, his son has filed a lawsuit claiming the airline ignored clear signs of a serious medical emergency. The complaint accuses the airline of negligence and says the delay in care led to the man’s death, putting AA under fire.
Family Sues Airline After In-Flight Medical Emergency
John William Cannon, 62, died on April 29, 2023. The day before, he boarded Flight 1444 from Louisville, Kentucky. He was flying to Dallas, Texas. His son, Kyle Cannon, says his father showed signs of distress after that flight. Despite this, airline staff let him board another plane. The lawsuit says this decision was dangerous and may have cost Cannon his life.
Medical Emergency Began After First Flight Landed
After the first flight landed, Cannon collapsed near the jet bridge. Airline staff helped him to the ground. He had a “syncopal event,” which means he fainted. But only minutes later, they allowed him to continue on his trip. He boarded Flight 4896, which was headed to Colorado. That second flight was operated by Envoy Air, a regional carrier for American Airlines.
Flight Crew Waited to Call for Medical Help
While on board the second flight, Cannon’s condition became worse. He had trouble breathing and kept going in and out of consciousness. But the lawsuit says the flight crew didn’t call for help right away. Instead, they waited until the plane landed and all the other passengers had left. Only then did they call emergency responders to help Cannon, showing why AA is under fire.
Firefighters Gave Oxygen But It Was Too Late
When the plane arrived at the gate, emergency crews rushed in. Firefighters from Durango La Plata Airport gave Cannon oxygen. Then, they carried him off the plane. On the way to Mercy Medical Center, his condition became critical. His heart went into a dangerous rhythm, and he went into cardiac arrest. Doctors tried to save him, but he died a few hours later.
Lawsuit Claims Airline Staff Acted With Negligence
Kyle Cannon, the victim’s son, believes his father’s death could have been prevented. His lawyers say the airline’s staff made poor decisions and ignored obvious signs of a medical crisis. The lawsuit claims American Airlines is responsible for what happened and failed to follow basic safety procedures, a key reason AA is under fire.
Lawyers Say Airline Has a Culture of Inaction
The family’s attorneys, Joseph LoRusso and Jessica McBryant, made a strong statement. They say American Airlines has a culture that avoids quick action. They believe this culture led to John Cannon’s death. According to them, the airline values routine over human life. They say the company must take responsibility and make changes to protect future passengers.
The lawsuit asks for over $75,000 in damages. Kyle Cannon wants the airline to pay for his father’s pain, lost time, and lost income. He also seeks money for medical costs and legal fees. The family is not only asking for money—they also want to raise awareness and push for change in airline policies.
