June 09, 2015
American Airlines has refused to compensate a wheelchair-bound woman who recently filed a lawsuit against the airline after she was forced to crawl onto a plane, KHON-TV reports.
Theresa Purcell was getting on a commuter flight from San Diego when the agent at the gate told her it was too late to set up a ramp to help her board, forcing her to crawl all the way to her seat on the plane.
Purcell, 33, suffers from Charcot-Marie-Tooth’s disease, a neurological disorder that requires her to use a wheelchair.
"So when I asked that I can’t walk up on the stairs, and then she was like, so how you going get on the plane then? And I was like, oh wow," Purcell told KHON-TV.
"I crawled up onto the steps. I crawled into the plane. There was no other way for me to get on the plane so I crawled up to the plane. I just had to hold it together. Like I have to tell myself I won’t see these people again, just hurry up and get on the plane already… I don’t want them treating people like that ... nobody else.”
American Airlines apologized for the incident in a statement:
On behalf of US Airways and American Airlines, please accept our apologies for the difficulties Ms. Purcell experienced with her request for level entry boarding. It is imperative to provide essential care and to have a sensitive approach when assisting our passengers who have special needs.
We regret that a ramp was not requested so Ms. Purcell would be able to board the aircraft without going up the stairs, assistance should have been provided shortly thereafter. Based on what you’ve shared, it appears our employees didn’t provide the attentive, courteous and professional service we expect as a company. I understand how the way you are treated can affect your impression of our” airline and sympathize with your displeasure.
After review of the facts, American Airlines admits they were in violation of CFR 14 Part 382 for not having provided level entry boarding as requested.
However, Purcell's attorney, Christy Ho, said the airline has refused to issue any compensation. Ho said she is asking for $2.5 million in a settlement with the airline. If it were to go to a jury in federal court, she would ask for between $6 million and $8 million.
Read more from KHON-TV.
