The estate of John Allen Fletcher has filed a lawsuit against JetBlue Airways and ABM Aviation following his death after suffering a stroke during a flight. According to the lawsuit, Fletcher experienced a major stroke after the plane landed at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) on April 22, 2025. The family claims that cabin crew and airport personnel failed to recognize the symptoms of the stroke and did not provide timely assistance, leading to a tragic outcome.
The lawsuit alleges that upon arrival, JetBlue requested a non-emergency wheelchair attendant from ABM Aviation to assist in removing Fletcher from the aircraft. He was reportedly left in a wheelchair in the baggage area for an extended period until discovered by his family. The complaint asserts that ABM staff denied requests to call emergency services, leaving Fletcher in a vulnerable state.
Fletcher’s daughter arrived at PBI to find him slumped over in distress. She claims that an ABM employee responded to her request for emergency assistance by stating, “we’re not allowed to do that.” The family’s legal filing argues that both JetBlue and ABM Aviation ignored established protocols for recognizing and responding to stroke symptoms, which would have prioritized Fletcher’s immediate medical needs.
Details of the Incident
The legal complaint outlines that Fletcher was in good health when he boarded Flight 321 from Boston, Massachusetts. He had purchased a ticket under the “Evenmore” fare, occupying seat 2F, which is in the premium section. No incidents were reported during the flight; however, upon landing, he was stricken by a stroke as he attempted to stand.
Witness accounts indicated that Fletcher was unable to communicate effectively, exhibiting garbled speech while trying to alert nearby passengers. One passenger expressed concern and informed the cabin crew of Fletcher’s condition. The family contends that despite these alarming signs, crew members failed to act promptly, allowing all other passengers to disembark before seeking assistance for Fletcher.
The lawsuit emphasizes that Fletcher was visible to the crew, given his premium seat location, yet they treated him as an “inconvenient obstacle” rather than a person in urgent need of medical care. According to the court filing, “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.”
Legal Implications and Responsibilities
Commercial airlines have a legal obligation to provide reasonable medical assistance to passengers. While flight attendants are not required to be medical experts, they must exercise due care to ensure passenger safety. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates training in first aid, CPR, and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for cabin crew.
If an airline fails to act during a medical emergency, it could be deemed negligent. The law office of Morrow, Morrow, Ryan, Bassett & Haik indicates that ignoring a clear need for assistance can be grounds for a negligence claim. In this case, the family’s lawsuit posits that both JetBlue and ABM Aviation’s inaction constituted gross negligence.
Fletcher was not given medical attention until over an hour after landing, and he ultimately died on May 5, 2025, after spending 13 days in St. Mary’s Hospital due to the severe aftereffects of the stroke. The family’s suit aims to hold both the airline and airport accountable for their alleged failure to provide necessary emergency care, highlighting the importance of adherence to established medical protocols in aviation.
As this case unfolds, it underscores the critical responsibility airlines hold in safeguarding passenger health and responding effectively in emergencies.
