'We're Past That Stage'

Lawyer for doctor, 69, who was dragged off a United flight says it's too late for an apology from the company's CEO, he's still hurt and he's planning to sue

By Jennifer Smith
Daily Mail

April 25, 2017

The lawyer acting on behalf of a 69-year-old doctor who was dragged off a United Airlines flight said he is no longer interested in an apology from airline bosses but he is gearing up to sue.

Dr. David Dao was filmed being hauled off the flight from Chicago to Louisville, Kentucky, on April 9 after being told the plane was overbooked and that airline staff needed to be on board.

He refused to leave his seat and was forcibly removed by aviation officers who dragged him along the aisle by his arms as he bled from the mouth after having his face smashed in to an arm rest.

Videos filmed by fellow passengers went viral and propelled United Airlines, which initially attempted to defend the incident by claiming Dr. Dao had been ‘belligerent’, into a disastrous PR spin.

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Chicago attorney Thomas Demetrio is representing Dr. Dao in a civil lawsuit against United which is yet to be filed. He appeared on the Today show on Monday to say that his client was still ’emotionally and physically hurt’ by the ordeal.


‘He’s hurt. And he’s of the mindset that this is an example…of why we need fairness, dignity and being treated right,’ he said.

Dr. Dao suffered a broken nose, concussion and lost two teeth as he was dragged off the plane to the horror of fellow passengers.

On Monday, his lawyer said he was no longer interested in a face-to-face apology from United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz, telling Today host Matt Lauer: ‘Mr. Munoz had that opportunity to publicly, first of all, apologize, and he didn’t.

‘And then, he called the Dr. belligerent. Then, he finally, mea culpa. So, I think we’re past that stage of needing Dr. Munoz to say anything.’

Munoz went from first blaming Dr. Dao for the ordeal, telling staff he was investigating why he ‘defied’ Chicago Aviation Security Officers, to apologizing unreservedly for it.

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