Overview

• A federal jury in San Jose returned the verdict after a six-day trial over the airline’s handling of a 2021 Miami–Madrid flight.
• Jurors awarded $13.28 million in damages, reduced by 27.5% for comparative fault to $9.6 million, with interest bringing the judgment to about $11.06 million.
• Court filings state Jesus Plasencia showed stroke symptoms at the gate, the pilot proceeded with departure, and the flight was not diverted as his condition worsened over the Atlantic.
• The lawsuit contends the crew’s response delayed treatment by nearly eight hours; Plasencia was hospitalized in Spain for more than three weeks and returned to the U.S. by air ambulance.
• American Airlines said it respects the jury’s decision but disagrees with the verdict and is evaluating next steps.