January 15, 2019
Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice
An American Airlines plane lands at the Philadelphia International Airport. American Airlines is adding new flights from Philadelphia International Airport to destinations in Florida this winter.
A lawsuit alleges an American Airlines flight attendant repeatedly punched a passenger in the head during a trip from North Carolina to Philadelphia.
The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey on Jan. 11 by Gregory Lagana.
Lagana alleges the attendant, Lance Wiley, pinned his arm down and “repeatedly punch(ed) plaintiff in the face and back of the head."
Lagana claims the assault left him with a traumatic brain injury and severe headaches, as well as neck and back injuries.
The complaint itself doesn’t include any information as to why Wiley allegedly punched Lagana. It claims Lagana was in his seat, wearing his seatbelt, and "not involved in any wrongdoing that jeopardized the safety of the aircraft."
According to Lagana's attorney, Edward P. Capozzi, the alleged incident began when Wiley came through with a drink cart. Capozzi told USA Today the two men argued about Lagana's drink order, and the situation escalated from there.
"The guy literally beat the crap out of him," Capozzi told USA Today.
An American Airlines spokesperson told Bloomberg Law the airline is reviewing the complaint. According to online court records, attorneys for the airline have not filed a response to the claims yet.
Earlier this month, a man named Joseph Lagana allegedly got into a drunken altercation at a Florida flea market when he was served a cheesesteak on a seeded roll. There is no immediate indication the two Laganas (Lagani?) are related.
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