Teen dies after defibrillator on American Airlines plane wasn’t charged, lawsuit claims

A lawsuit against American Airlines says a teen died on a flight in June after an onboard defibrillator failed to work because it wasn’t charged. Kevin Greenidge was on flight AA614 from San Pedro Sula, Honduras traveling to Miami International Airport on June 4, when he went into cardiac arrest and became unconscious. When crewmembers tried to administer a shock from the automatic external defibrillator (AED), it did not shock Greenidge, the lawsuit said. According to the lawsuit filed in a district court in New York by his mother, Melissa Arzu, Greenridge’s death was a result of carelessness from the airline, citing the uncharged mobile battery pack and employees that were untrained in resuscitation. American Airlines and the attorneys listed for the plaintiff did not respond to requests for comment. The Aviation Medical Assistance Act of 1998 requires airlines to medical equipment such as defibrillators and train flight attendants to use the equipment. The complaint lists that Greenidge sustained several injuries prior to his death. Had he survived, the complaint reads he would have been entitled to actual and punitive damages.<br/>