Woman Suing United Airlines After Being Injured On Layover In Houston

HOUSTON, TX — A Florida woman who is confined to a wheelchair, claims she was injured when a vendor working for United Airlines, and an airline employee dropped her during a layover at Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Erica Fulton, 54, was on a flight between Houston and Tampa, Florida, and needed help being transferred from her specialized wheelchair to her seat. (Want to get daily updates about traffic news and other events going on in your area? Sign up for the free Houston Patch morning newsletter.)

Fulton said a vendor who worked for the airline, and a United Airlines employee were attempting to transfer her from her wheelchair to her seat, when she was dropped and landed hard on her right shoulder, KPRC reported.

Fulton, who suffers from a life-long degenerative spinal condition, said the incident not only damaged to her $23,000 customized wheelchair, but injured her to the point where she has now lost the use of her right arm.

She had to have surgery, which required a metal plate be inserted in her shoulder.

As a result, Fulton aid she can no longer live independently and requires care 20 hours a day from a nurse.

"I was very independent before and now I can't live alone," she told KPRC. "They really took my independence away from me."

Fulton said United Airlines apologized for damaging her wheelchair and paid for the repairs, but has not responded to her regarding her medical expenses.

She has hired an attorney and plans to file a lawsuit.

Read the story at click2houston.com.

Image: Anna Zvereva via Flickr

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