A recent court filing outlines claims by a traveler who says she suffered permanent injuries after being detained at an airport, raising questions about the conduct of federal agents and the safety of airline facilities. The complaint was filed by Kaia Battle in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on May 13, 2026, naming the United States of America and JetBlue Airways Corporation as defendants.
According to the document, Battle brings this action under the Federal Tort Claims Act as well as New York state law. She alleges that her injuries occurred due to actions by federal agents during her detention at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and because of JetBlue’s alleged failure to maintain safe conditions in the area where she was held.
The filing states that on February 29, 2024, Battle returned from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on JetBlue Flight No. 268. Upon arrival at JFK around 6:00 p.m., she was apprehended and detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP). She remained in a holding room within Terminal 5 for approximately five hours.
Battle claims that during her detention, USCBP officers asked her to remove her jacket. When she refused, officers allegedly used excessive force in attempting to take off her jacket, causing her hand to be badly cut on what is described as a sharp edge of a metal bench in the holding room. The complaint notes that "the exact names and identities of the officers responsible are not currently known." It further alleges that "the bench had a sharp metal edge to it that had negligently been left in a dangerous condition," placing responsibility for maintenance either with JetBlue or with federal authorities.
After sustaining her injury, medical personnel from The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey were called to assist Battle. She waited approximately ten minutes for their response before being transported via ambulance to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. There, hospital staff treated a six-centimeter laceration through muscle with about ten sutures, pain medication, antibiotics, and a tetanus shot. Medical records noted possible nerve damage affecting sensation and movement in her hand.
Following initial treatment, Battle was returned to custody, arraigned on March 1, 2024, then sent to Rikers Island for two weeks where she continued receiving wound care. Subsequent medical visits included suture removal at New York University Langone Hospital on March 18, 2024; orthopedic evaluation at Mt. Sinai Hospital on May 13; occupational therapy beginning June 18; follow-up consultations discussing surgical options; corticosteroid injections starting July 2; and further treatments extending into January 2026 after insurance complications delayed care.
A nerve conduction study performed in February 2026 revealed evidence of median neuropathy in Battle’s left wrist along with chronic neurogenic changes impacting muscles controlling wrist flexion and extension. Doctors prescribed gabapentin for pain management and discussed potential surgery if symptoms did not improve.
The first claim asserts assault, battery, and negligence by federal law enforcement under the Federal Tort Claims Act. The complaint states: "Federal agents breached this duty by using excessive force against Plaintiff," resulting in significant physical injury when Battle’s hand was cut open on the bench’s sharp edge.
The second claim targets JetBlue Airways Corporation for negligence under state law provisions as well as protections guaranteed by Article I sections 1 and 6 of the New York State Constitution. The filing cites terms from a lease agreement between JetBlue and The Port Authority indicating JetBlue’s responsibility for maintaining certain areas within its control—including USCBP office spaces—and alleges that dangerous conditions persisted due to lack of proper maintenance.
Battle seeks compensatory damages from both defendants jointly and severally; convening of a jury trial; costs; interest; attorney’s fees; and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The case is represented by Rickner Moskovitz LLP with attorney Sara Sasa signing on behalf of Battle. The case number is 26-2857.
Source: 126cv02857_Battle_v_United_States_of_America_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf