David Dao has become the talk of the town when a video circulated online, showing how he was forcibly dragged off the United Airlines flight 3411 on Monday after refusing to give up his seat for an employee of the airline company. Now, reports are saying that he might be filing a lawsuit, which could cost the airline company millions for settlement.
The said flight was full and they needed to "re-accommodate" some passengers to provide seats for their crew. Dao didn't want to get off the plane because he needed to see his patients in the morning. The next flight was not leaving until afternoon the following day. The video, which was taken by one of the passengers, sparked social media outrage and has caused United Airlines a lot of trouble.
When asked if Dr. Dao will file a lawsuit against the airline company, Chicago Aviation attorney Thomas Demetrio, who is representing the 69-year-old doctor, expressed that it is likely.
"I think corporate America needs to understand that we all want to be treated in the same manner with the same respect and the same dignity that they would treat their own family members," said Dao's lawyer in a press conference on Thursday, adding, "If they do that, wouldn't it be great? So, will there be a lawsuit? Yeah, probably."
Due to the flight incident, Dr. Dao suffered several injuries, such as a concussion and a broken nose, as well as a sinus injury and the loss of two teeth. The doctor was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday, but Demetrio said that he is still "shaken" from the violent incident.
"For a long time airlines – United in particular – have bullied us," Demetrio expressed, basing it on the hundreds of United passengers and employees that he has claimed to have contacted him regarding the airline's mistreatment, according to The Independent. "They have treated us less than maybe we deserve ... Forget the law for a minute, that requires common decency in the treatment of passengers, but just treat us with respect."
Three officers from the Chicago Department of Aviation, who were involved in the issue, have been put on leave as the incident is being investigated.
According to Hollywood Life, Ylber Albert Dauti of the Dauti Law Firm said that Dao could cost United Airlines millions if both parties agree with a settlement. Even though he could not lay out an exact amount, Dauti said, "It is safe to say that he will be a millionaire after all is said and done."
