The estate of John Allen Fletcher has initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against JetBlue Airways and ABM Aviation following his death after a flight to Palm Beach International Airport. The suit alleges that cabin crew and airport personnel failed to recognize and respond to clear symptoms of a stroke, which allowed the medical emergency to escalate. The family claims that upon landing, Fletcher was left unattended and in distress, ultimately leading to his passing on May 5, 2025.
Fletcher’s family asserts that the cabin crew ignored established protocols for stroke recognition, treating him as an “inconvenient obstacle” rather than a passenger in need of immediate medical care. According to the lawsuit, after the flight landed on April 22, 2025, Fletcher was unresponsive and unable to exit the aircraft unaided. He remained in a premium seat, clearly visible to the crew, yet no immediate assistance was provided.
The lawsuit details that when Fletcher’s daughter arrived at the airport, she found him slumped in a wheelchair and in obvious medical distress. She claims an ABM employee refused her request to call emergency services, stating, “we’re not allowed to do that.” This claim raises significant concerns regarding the duty of care owed to passengers in distress.
Allegations of Negligence
The legal filing argues that both JetBlue and ABM acted negligently by failing to provide reasonable medical assistance. Under U.S. federal law, airlines are required to ensure the safety of their passengers, which includes responding appropriately to medical emergencies. The Federal Aviation Administration mandates that cabin crew receive training in first aid, CPR, and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). The lawsuit contends that ignoring a clear medical emergency constitutes negligence.
Witness accounts describe a troubling scene during deplaning. Fletcher reportedly exhibited garbled speech while trying to alert other passengers to his condition. One passenger informed the crew of Fletcher’s situation, yet the cabin staff did not act to assist him until all passengers had disembarked. The lawsuit states, “As all the other passengers deplaned, Mr. Fletcher was physically unable to rise and remove himself from the aircraft and remained sprawled across the seats in row 2 in full view of JetBlue’s crew.”
After the aircraft landed, significant delays ensued before Fletcher received medical attention. Emergency medical personnel did not arrive until over an hour had passed since the flight’s landing. He was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital, where he spent 13 days receiving treatment before succumbing to the effects of the stroke.
The Broader Implications
This case raises questions about airline responsibility and the adequacy of emergency response protocols in commercial aviation. Airlines have a legal obligation to provide reasonable medical assistance, and failure to do so can lead to serious consequences. Legal experts emphasize that while airline crew members are not required to be medical professionals, they must exercise due care in emergencies.
The lawsuit highlights a critical conversation about passenger safety and the responsibilities of airline staff. With increasing scrutiny on airline practices, this case could set a precedent regarding the legal obligations of airlines to respond to medical emergencies effectively.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the Fletcher family’s claims will shed light on the responsibilities of airlines and airport staff in safeguarding the health and safety of their passengers.
