Delta’s 30k Offer Under Fire: Not Good Enough

Just two days after Delta Air Lines offered $30,000 to each passenger aboard the flight that crashed and flipped in Toronto earlier this week, the airline is now confronting its first two lawsuits related to the incident and more could be on the way. The flight, operated by Delta, was carrying 76 passengers when the CRJ-900 aircraft crash-landed on Monday after noon. If all passengers accept Delta’s compensation offer, the airline will pay out approximately $2.3 million in total. However, one Texas-based passenger has already filed a lawsuit, arguing that the offer doesn’t adequately account for the physical and emotional trauma he endured. In his lawsuit, filed on Friday, the passenger described being “drenched in jet fuel,” which he claims caused emotional distress and mental anguish. He also reported suffering significant injuries to his head, neck, back, knees, and face. The crash resulted in 21 people being hospitalized, though Delta CEO Ed Bastian confirmed on Thursday that all have since been released. In an effort to address misinformation circulating online, Delta also released additional details about the flight’s crew. The company clarified that both the captain and first officer are fully certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Under international aviation treaties, passengers injured on international flights are entitled to up to $200,000 in compensation, but this amount can increase if the airline is found negligent. Passengers have up to two years to file lawsuits under these regulations. Investigations are underway and inconclusive what protocols were breached to lead to such an error landing. Once those findings come out Delta can be sure to expect more lawsuits.