A 13-year-old girl is suing Delta Air Lines for negligence after being sexually assaulted by a fellow passenger during a flight from Los Angeles to Orlando. The lawsuit alleges that flight attendants served the assailant alcohol and failed to restrain him after the incident, leading to further harassment of the young girl. The attack has left lasting emotional and psychological impacts on the victim and her family, who are seeking damages from the airline for their suffering.
The assailant, Brian Patrick Durning, was sentenced to five years in prison for the assault and is currently serving time in a federal prison in New Jersey. The lawsuit claims that Delta Air Lines enabled the attack by serving alcohol to an already visibly intoxicated individual and failing to properly respond to the assault. The family is seeking compensation for past, present, and future damages, including lost earnings and emotional distress, but the lawsuit does not specify a dollar amount.
Since the incident, the teenage girl, identified only as Z.B., has experienced nightmares, post-traumatic stress, depression, and panic attacks. Her academic performance and social interactions have been negatively impacted, while her brother and mother have also suffered from anxiety and fear resulting from the assault. The lawsuit highlights the need for airlines to prioritize passenger safety and take appropriate measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
