Mother sues American Airlines after son's death on flight

A woman from New York has sued American Airlines after her 14-year-old son died following a medical emergency on a flight. 

According to the lawsuit the aircraft's defibrillator was not working and that the flight crew was not properly trained to use it. 

As per the New York Post, 14-year-old Kevin Greenidge was flying home to New York City with his family from a summer vacation in Honduras. While being in midair, he suddenly lost consciousness and went into cardiac arrest.

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The teen's mother claims the flight crew didn't respond quickly to her calls for assistance and faced difficulties using the defibrillator. The plane was diverted to Cancun, Mexico, where the teen was taken to a hospital, but unfortunately, he was pronounced dead.

Greenidge suffered from asthma and type 2 diabetes. His primary cause of death was listed as myocardial infarction.

The lawsuit states that his death was caused only because of the carelessness, recklessness, and negligence of the defendant.

The lawsuit further stated, when crewmembers eventually attempted to use the plane's automated external defibrillator (AED), they were unable to properly operate the machine or the machine did not function accurately.

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According to eyewitnesses, every time the AED gave a clear warning for people to step back from Greenidge's body so that a shock could be administered, but a shock was not delivered.

Instead, the machine simply kept advising that CPR should be continued.

The lawsuit further alleges that the airline violated its own policy by withholding a $113,100 advance payment due to the mother following the passenger's onboard death.

''After my son died, I never heard from American Airlines. It made me feel hopeless. I want answers from American Airlines. I want American Airlines to take full responsibility for Kevin's death. I never want this to happen to a child or family again,'' the teen's mother Melissa Arzu said.

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It is worth mentioning that, flight attendants working for US-based airlines should be trained in CPR and in use of the automatic external defibrillator. 

American Airlines declined to comment over the litigation, but said their thoughts are with Mr. Greenidge's loved ones.

(With inputs from agencies)