American Airlines Flight Attendant Seeks Millions in Damages

STAMFORD, CONN.— Flight attendant Bria Payne, who sustained serious injuries on duty at American Airlines subsidiary Envoy Air, is seeking a multi-million-dollar settlement for pain and suffering due to management’s mistreatment after the injury.

Payne, who suffered serious lower-back injuries as a passenger on a hotel shuttle that was struck by another vehicle while on duty, has endured two surgeries that have left her with hardware, including multiple screws to stabilize her vertebrae. In addition to ongoing occupational and physical therapy, physicians have informed the 42-year-old employee that she can no longer carry the weight of a child to term. A third surgery is recommended.

“Bria Payne will likely never work again as a flight attendant or in any other capacity,” said attorney Tyler Rutherford at Pastore, a law firm known for sophisticated litigation. “American Airlines’ conduct concerning her injury likely exacerbated her condition. The way management handled the situation with a blatant disregard for her injury was appalling.”

The Hartford, Connecticut, resident has endured several acts of mistreatment by American Airlines:

• After reporting her injury, she was assigned to work on a smaller plane where she was the only flight attendant on the Indianapolis-Chicago flight. She was also solely responsible for closing the heavy cabin door before takeoff.
• When she asked to wear flat shoes to the medical exam, she was told that she had to continue to wear high heels because she was still on duty.
• An employee, who was not a medical doctor, performed an exam and gave her two icepacks, Tylenol and approval to fly home.
• Enroute to home, she was assigned a “jump seat” without adequate cushion in the back of the plane.

Payne remains debilitated by chronic back pain and other complications of an injury she suffered simply by being in an ill-fated situation while on duty. Payne was recently informed that she most likely cannot work in any capacity again. Her paid leave through worker’s compensation ends in September.

To date, American Airlines has declined to adequately address Payne’s damages and preliminary settlement discussion have not resulted in an offer that adequately compensates Payne.

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