(MIAMI, FLORIDA) A federal jury has ordered American Airlines to pay more than $11 million to a passenger who suffered two strokes during a transatlantic flight after the crew failed to follow medical emergency rules and skipped diverting the plane for urgent care. The case centers on Jesus Plasencia, a 67-year-old chef from California, who showed clear signs of a stroke while boarding a Miami-to-Madrid flight in November 2021. His wife alerted the crew before takeoff, but the pilot dismissed her warnings and proceeded with departure, contrary to the airline’s own protocols that call for seeking medical help on board and, if needed, diverting flight operations to get care on the ground.
During the long-haul crossing over the Atlantic, Plasencia suffered a severe stroke. The crew asked nearby passengers to keep an eye on him, yet the pilot was not alerted and the aircraft continued to Spain instead of landing at the closest airport. It took more than eight hours before Plasencia reached a hospital after landing in Madrid. He was hospitalized for over three weeks and now lives with permanent disabilities. According to the case record, he can no longer speak or write and needs 24-hour support.
The jury initially awarded $13.28 million, later adjusted to $11.06 million after accounting for partial fault attributed to the passenger for boarding despite symptoms. Some reports mention a final figure of $9.6 million due to legal adjustments, but the most recent and widely cited number remains “over $11 million.” American Airlines has said it disagrees with the verdict and is considering an appeal. As of September 24, 2025, the order for compensation stands.
Jury Verdict and Legal Framework
This verdict was decided under the Montreal Convention, the international treaty that sets airline liability rules for injury or death of passengers on international routes. In plain terms, when an incident occurs during an international flight, the Montreal Convention governs how responsibility and compensation are handled, regardless of where the airline is based or where the passenger lives.
The jury found American Airlines negligent for not following its own medical protocols and for failing to divert—key factors that delayed care and worsened the outcome. The flight began in Miami (United States) and landed in Spain, creating the international link that placed the case under the Montreal framework.
Key legal points:
– Under the Montreal Convention, airlines face strict liability up to a threshold and higher liability when negligence is proven.
– The treaty does not dictate medical decision-making in the cockpit but sets legal boundaries for holding carriers accountable when inaction leads to harm.
Court evidence outlined a cascade of missed opportunities:
– Warning signs reported before the cabin door closed.
– No call for onboard medical help once airborne.
– No immediate alert to the cockpit.
– No diversion to a closer airport where stroke care could begin quickly.
Every minute counts in a stroke. Standard medical guidance stresses that early treatment can reduce brain damage and improve recovery; a delay of more than eight hours, as in this case, can be life-altering.
The verdict has prompted airlines to review emergency response training, reinforce cockpit‑crew communication, and clarify command roles when passengers show neurological symptoms.
Analysis by VisaVerge.com highlighted how operational decisions—especially the choice about diverting flight paths—carry both human and legal consequences when emergencies unfold midair.
What This Means for International Flyers and Airlines
For travelers on long-haul routes, the ruling underscores a simple point: tell the crew when something feels wrong, and insist on a proper response.
Common stroke symptoms to watch for:
– Sudden trouble speaking or confusion
– Facial drooping
– Weakness on one side of the body
– Severe headache
– Loss of balance
Practical passenger guidance:
– Speak up clearly if you or a travel companion shows symptoms.
– Ask the crew to contact the pilot and request medical assessment through the airline’s ground-based medical support, if available.
– If you are seated near someone in distress, alert staff and step forward if you have medical training.
– Consider carrying a simple health card listing medical conditions and medications in English and, if relevant, another language for your destination.
Airlines and crew responsibilities:
– Crews are trained to handle medical events and usually maintain links to ground-based doctors.
– The pilot has the final say on diversion; timely escalation to the cockpit is crucial.
– The verdict signals that when symptoms indicate a serious condition—like a stroke—the safer choice is often to land as soon as practical. The cost and disruption of an unscheduled landing are secondary when a life may be at risk.
Industry expectations:
– Re-check pre-departure assessments when a traveler becomes ill at the gate.
– Ensure in-flight processes for calling medical volunteers and contacting ground-based physicians are clear.
– Bring the captain into the loop quickly when symptoms suggest a severe medical condition.
– Robust policies must be followed without delay; failure to follow written protocols can expose carriers to substantial damages under the Montreal Convention.
Core Facts Established in the Proceeding
- Incident date: November 2021
- Route: Miami to Madrid (international flight)
- Passenger: Jesus Plasencia, 67
- Medical event: Two strokes, including a severe stroke over the Atlantic
- Delay to hospital care: Over eight hours
- Hospitalization: More than three weeks; permanent disabilities reported
- Jury award: $13.28 million, adjusted to $11.06 million after partial fault
- Legal basis: Negligence under the Montreal Convention
- Airline position: Disagrees with verdict; evaluating appeal options
Where to Seek Help and File Complaints
For people planning international trips, it helps to know where to raise complaints or seek help after a serious incident. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection office provides guidance on passenger rights and airline responsibilities.
- Official DOT resource: Aviation Consumer Protection
This page is a reliable starting point for learning how the government oversees airline conduct and how passengers can file complaints. It does not replace legal advice.
Practical Lessons and Final Takeaways
For airlines:
– Empower frontline crew to act quickly, especially before takeoff.
– Ensure pilots receive timely, clear reports from the cabin when a passenger shows stroke signs.
– Prioritize health over schedule metrics; continuous training and rehearsed plans are essential.
For passengers, especially immigrant families and international students:
– Journeys can involve language barriers and long hours—be prepared.
– Carry translated health information if relevant.
– If someone becomes ill, insist the crew contact medical support and the pilot immediately.
American Airlines said it is considering an appeal, but the jury’s message is clear and visible across the industry: when a passenger shows clear signs of a medical emergency—especially a suspected stroke—the safer path is prompt escalation and, when advised, diverting flight to the nearest suitable airport. Lives depend on minutes, not hours.
This Article in a Nutshell
A federal jury in Miami found American Airlines negligent for failing to follow its medical emergency protocols and not diverting a Miami–Madrid flight after passenger Jesús Plasencia, 67, displayed clear stroke symptoms before departure in November 2021. During the transatlantic crossing Plasencia suffered two strokes and did not receive hospital care until over eight hours later after landing in Madrid, causing permanent disabilities and requiring 24-hour support. The jury initially awarded $13.28 million, reduced to $11.06 million after attributing partial fault to the passenger, under the Montreal Convention. American Airlines disputes the verdict and is considering an appeal. The ruling stresses the importance of rapid escalation, cockpit‑crew communication, and diverting when medically necessary.
