Delta sued for $1 million after ruining elderly woman's birthday
A few weeks ago I asked, in relation to a man's $2 million lawsuit against JetBlue for being forced to sit three hours in the toilet, whether that wasn't a wee too much money to be seeking.Now, from the New York Post, comes a report that a Manhatten man is suing Delta Airlines for $1 million for...ruining his mother's 80th birthday.
Richard Roth's suit claims that a Delta worker caused him and his immediate family to miss a flight to Buenos Aires, leaving them stranded in Atlanta and forcing the family -- Roth's wife, two children and 80-year-old mother -- to drive to Miami to pick up another flight, the Post says. Then Roth alleges Delta lost the group's baggage.
The story, reported here in full in the Post, sounds like a real nightmare. Roth had arranged to fly a good portion of his family, including some cousins, to BA this past December. After arriving for their connecting flight in Atlanta, Roth says his party was barred from boarding the flight as the gate had just closed. Scrambling, Roth found another flight on an Argentine airline, leaving out of Miami, but Delta did not deliver the party's bags until after Christmas.
Roth sought $21,000 in reimbursement from Delta, which, perhaps not surprisingly, refused to pay. "I tried so hard not to sue," Roth told the newspaper.
No word yet on how $21,000 turned into $1 million, though Roth -- an attorney -- is claiming, among other things, that Delta caused his mother emotional distress.
Filed under: Airlines, Consumer Activism
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
May 28th 2008 @ 6:01PM
Jack Connick said...
All comments about rude service aside (you almost expect that these days...) his claim for reimbursement may/may not be valid depending on how he booked the flight. Apparently he used miles, whether that was for the whole flight of the connection wasn't clear.
On a flight a year or so ago to Fiji, I was advised to book connecting flights within the US as part of the overall ticket internationally. That way if the connecting flight is late, then the airline is obligated to find you passage, or put you up in a hotel, etc. Even though I could of used AK miles for the connecting flight SEA/LAX I didn't use them.
As a result, Air Pacific held the flight for us as the AK flight was late by a couple of hours. Or they would of paid for a hotel and expenses if we'd had to fly out the next day.
He may of thought he was getting a deal using miles, but these sorts of issues, especially with international travel and a larger group aren't worth it many times.
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May 28th 2008 @ 10:25PM
SheCat852 said...
I'd love to know how to get in touch with this guy. I can validate Delta employees as being incompetent & rude. In Atlanta, I had to go back to the airport myself & get my own luggage, even though I had been assured Delta would have it delivered to my room. To make it worse, I'm handicapped & the walk through to the luggage area & then back to the shuttle to take me back to the hotel caused me great physical pain.
Then to really put a cap on that trip, my luggage was not where it was supposed to be on my return home. When I got upset, the baggage handler actually told me that if I didn't "treat him with respect" I wouldn't get my luggage at all.
Fortunately, I found it in a pile of other bags outside the proper area. Apparently, it had been dragged off the belt prematurely by the handler. We (my brother & I) were actually followed out of the airport by security.
Delta totally sucks & I hope this guy gets every penny he's asking for.
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May 29th 2008 @ 12:07AM
Chrissy said...
Geezus, why does everyone in this United States think that they are allllll self important! Way toooo many attorneys/lawyers with nothing better to do in this country. Why don't some go help emerging nations and the poor! Tell this guy to donate any money won to the poor in Buenos Aires!!!! Or better yet... have Atty. Roth donate time, which he seems to have too much of, to the poor in South America! Get over it!
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May 29th 2008 @ 12:20AM
Steven said...
I agree...I think everyone is just a bit too eager for a lawsuit these days. Does what happened really warrant $1,000,000. I think not.
Also, I've never had a problem with Delta before and I've found them to be my favorite carrier!
May 31st 2008 @ 8:32PM
Rick said...
Heaven forbid you should get what you pay for -- regardless of how you pay for it. For some reason Americans seem to think that corporations can take our money without delivering on their promises. I guea when you get lied to by your government, you just expect it from everyone else. The rich continue to soak the poor. Ah America -- land of the formerly free and home of the formerly brave.
Jun 1st 2008 @ 12:10AM
lizard said...
Maybe "Rick" is having some reading comprehension problems. The airline DID deliver what they had promised. These dolts were late for the gate, probably standing around BSing thinking they would hold the flight for them. And this guy is a lawyer? LMAO! First, you cannot sue for "emotional distress," unless it's intentional and with malice, such as stalking or communicating threats. Second, you cannot sue for someone else's "emotional distress," ie., mother. This is the crap that drives up costs for everyone else.
May 29th 2008 @ 5:51PM
JoseB said...
I heard about this this morning on the news, from what the guy said, it's not about the $1,000,000, it's more about Delta's refusal to work with him on a resolution. He claims to have called them and spoken to several people who all said "we'll get back to you" When they didn't get back to him, he thought he'd get their attention by suing them.
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May 30th 2008 @ 1:25AM
gsheppard said...
I would like to be on his jury because I do not believe him. Whole story sounds embelished. He's a lawyer they always present the facts as they want people to believe to win. I think he should pay Delta for verbally abusing Delta Employee's
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May 30th 2008 @ 4:40PM
Katie G. said...
Delta loses luggage! Same flight two years in a row, same weekend. Chicago to ATL, ATL to Miami. There is something about that connection that Delta cannot get your bags there. They just can't. Not surprised. Not flying Delta anymore. I hope this guy wins.
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May 30th 2008 @ 9:43PM
Kelly said...
Oh put on your big boy pants and get over it! Waahh!!!
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May 31st 2008 @ 2:40PM
M said...
I seriously hope this guy wins. As a consultant who has to fly at least twice a week, I can reassure you that the airline industry is a mess, with really horrible service and absolutely no respect for passengers whatsoever. This is made worse by TSA and the general callous attitude of people in the flight industry in general.
Hell, sue them I say. Sue them all and hopefully, they will learn a lesson.
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Jun 1st 2008 @ 12:41AM
lizard said...
Actually, the nicest people to deal with are TSA agents. Anecdote: While recently coming in from an international flight to Detroit, an older lady TSA agent who could pass for my grandmother, announced to a long line of travelers passing through customs screening, that we should begin removing our shoes. This was met with a collective "ahhhh" from the passengers. She then said to us, "Yeah, I know, but imagine how I feel having to smell your stinky shoes all day." The waiting crowd broke out in laughter.
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Jun 1st 2008 @ 12:56AM
lizard said...
Waaah Waah! If you're that "handicapped," then maybe you should invest in a wheelchair to have your brother push you around in. Call the Scooter Store or maybe you can bolt out of Walmart with one of their electric carts that I see 500 pound, morbidly obese slobs riding on. How do you know it was the baggage handler's fault? People remove bags all of the time thinking they are theirs.
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Jun 1st 2008 @ 1:41AM
lizard said...
#13 was directed at comment #2
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Jun 1st 2008 @ 10:30AM
giacomo said...
Delta airlines is a very Large corporation ran by humans as us, which we all have our own moments in the work place. Never the less Delta is a GREAT airline above the rest in passenger service thats why i've been flying them for years. God bless Delta
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