Passenger Sues Delta Air Lines for $1 Million in Armrest Collapse Incident

A passenger of Delta Air Lines is suing the airline for $1 million after an incident that occurred during a flight from San Diego to Seattle in 2022. Joseph Hippensteel, the passenger, was getting ready to depart when he leaned on the armrest while buckling his seatbelt. This caused the armrest to collapse and him to fall into the aisle, resulting in a rib fracture. Despite attempts by two repairmen, the armrest could not be fixed and the plane took off without it functioning properly.

Hippensteel received assistance from a flight attendant and a doctor on board during the incident. The lawsuit mentions the Montreal Convention, which holds airlines responsible for passenger injuries during international travel unless they can prove negligence on the part of the passenger. The Montreal Convention sets a limit of around $170,000 for compensation but this suit is seeking $1 million in total due to alleged negligence on Delta Air Lines’ part.

Delta Air Lines has not yet responded to requests for comment on this matter. This incident is one of many cases where the Montreal Convention has been referenced in cases of passenger injuries such as a previous incident where a 6-year-old was burned by a hot meal on a United Airlines flight.