A passenger has filed a lawsuit against airline company Republic Airways Inc., following an injury sustained during a flight.
According to the complaint filed by plaintiff Dalton Sim, on June 20, 2023, he was traveling aboard American Airlines Flight 4286 from Boston Logan International Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport. This flight was operated by Republic Airways under the American Eagle brand, and Sim claims that his injury was caused by gross negligence on the part of the airline's crew. According to the complaint, as the plane landed and decelerated at JFK, an unsecured service cart broke free and careened down the aisle, crushing Sim's right foot and causing severe injuries. "The heavy service cart barreled down the aisle and slammed into Plaintiff's right foot," states the complaint, describing how it then continued its path of destruction before coming to a halt.
Sim alleges that Republic Airways failed in its duty as a common carrier to ensure passenger safety by not properly securing equipment such as service carts prior to landing. The complaint accuses Republic Airways of breaching Federal Aviation Regulations and their own safety protocols, which led to this preventable accident. The plaintiff contends that these failures were not just oversights but acts of negligence that directly resulted in his injuries. He suffered disabling crush fractures and deep wounds requiring extensive medical treatment, with long-term impacts on his quality of life and earning potential.
Sim is demanding judgment against Republic Airways Inc., including compensation for his physical injuries, emotional distress, economic losses due to medical expenses, and loss of income, along with any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The plaintiff is represented by attorney Erin R. Applebaum of Kreindler & Kreindler LLP and was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York under Case ID 1:25-cv-01906.