Doctor Who Was Bloodied, Dragged From United Flight Plans To Sue, Says Lawyer
By Stephen Gossett in News on Apr 24, 2017 4:22PM
Attorney Thomas Demetrio speaks at a press conference on behalf of Dr. David Dao, on April 13, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois / Getty Images / Photo: Scott Olson
The attorney for Dr. David Dao, the Kentucky doctor who was infamously dragged down the aisle of a United flight at O'Hare International Airport earlier this month, said on Monday morning that his client plans to sue.
As the AP notes, Thomas Demetrio, who represents Dao, said in an interview with The Today Show that his client plans to initiate a lawsuit. Demetrio's comments dovetail with earlier statements. At an April 13 press conference, he said that a lawsuit was likely. Dao's legal team had already filed documents to preserve key materials related to the incident. It's not certain whether legal action will target both the City of Chicago and United Airlines, although both seem plausible.
When asked by Matt Lauer how Dao is faring, both emotionally and physically, Demetrio said, "He's hurt—both."
Demetrio is reportedly also representing a woman caught up in a different airline controversy: A video recently went viral showing an American Airlines flight attendant forcibly taking a female passenger's stroller, and almost hitting her baby in the process. In that incident, Demetrio said his client was afraid for the safety of her child.
“How’s Dr. Dao doing emotionally and physically?” -@MLauer
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) April 24, 2017
“He’s hurt. Both. He's hurt” -Lawyer for Dr. David Dao pic.twitter.com/9kMlULaJ5Y
Dao was bloodied and dragged from his United flight on April 9 after he refused to be bumped from the fully booked flight in order to seat airline staff. His lawyer said Dao suffered a concussion and broken nose and lost two teeth in the incident.
On Friday, an 8-K notification form to investors revealed that hyper-embattled United CEO Oscar Munoz will not chair the company's board, as originally planned.