How United Passenger's Physical Nightmare Became Airline's PR Nightmare And What's Next

CHICAGO, IL — Recently, escalating crime and rampant shootings have cast Chicago in a starring role on the nation's stage, thanks in no small part to public comments and drive-by tweets from President Donald Trump. But this past week, the city earned top-billing in the country's media playbill for a different reason, although one still involving violence, unfortunately.

A United Airlines passenger suffered a concussion, broken nose and other injuries when he was forcibly removed from a Chicago-to-Louisville flight Sunday, April 9, by aviation security officers. Dr. David Dao was one of four people randomly chosen to be bumped from United flight 3411 out of O'Hare International Airport so that airline employees could fly. Dao refused to give up his seat because he needed to return to Kentucky to see patients Monday, according to his lawyer.

SIGN UP: Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.

Video footage of the incident was posted online and shared across social media platforms Sunday night. By Monday morning, outrage over Dao's treatment by United and the Chicago Aviation Police officers who dragged him from the flight dominated updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. The doctor's ordeal became the watercooler topic for many as the story unfolded.

After nearly a week, are you caught up with the most recent developments? Here's what you need to know about the incident, the aftermath and what the future could hold for the airline and the passenger.

THE INCIDENT

United CEO Praises Employees After Passenger Bloodied And Kicked Off Plane

VIDEO: After the assault, Dr. David Dao cried, "Just kill me." Public backlash grows as Chicago aviation officer put on leave.

THE PASSENGER

Dr. David Dao Suffered Concussion, Broken Nose After Being Dragged From Flight

VIDEO: A lawsuit is likely after the airline forced a doctor off the plane to "re-accommodate" him so an airline employee could take his seat. Lawyers for Dao, as well as Dao's daughter, held a news conference to discuss the incident Thursday.

THE AIRLINE'S RESPONSE

Airline CEO Apologizes 2nd Time, Vows To 'Fix What's Broken'

PLUS: Stock falls | No guns for aviation cops: Chicago alderman.

United Won't Use Police To Pull Paid Passengers From Flights; 'We Can't Do That,' CEO Says

VIDEO: Airline CEO Oscar Munoz called Sunday's incident on a flight out of Chicago a "system failure" during an ABC News interview.

Crew Members Will Be Booked 60 Minutes Before Departure Under New Policy

The policy change comes after passenger Dr. David Dao was dragged off a flight and left bloodied when he did not give up his seat for a crew member.

THE REACTIONS

2 More Chicago Aviation Cops Put On Leave

PLUS: Passengers will get refunds | Congresswoman wants to end bumping.

United Airlines' Image Takes Online Beating From Memes, Comments

Social media reaction to video footage of a passenger being dragged from a full flight Sunday night has been swift and merciless.

Aviation Expert Defends United: Passenger Didn't Have Right To Stay On Plane

VIDEO: The airline was in "an impossible spot" and handled the situation as best it could, a DePaul University transportation professor says.

image via Audra D. Bridges | Facebook

Like What You're Reading? Stay Patched In!

• Like our Crime page on Facebook
• Check out the Events Calendar for what’s going on