Airline liability in emergencies
Melissa Suzette Arzu v. American Airlines
In brief
- Where it stands
- Dismissed
Petition denied.
- What it’s about
- Arzu, for herself and Greenidge’s estate, asked whether American Airlines could be liable under an international-flight treaty for its crew’s response to Greenidge’s fatal medical emergency, and whether the treaty bars a state-law claim for an advance payment promised after a passenger’s death.
- Who it affects
- Arzu and Greenidge’s estate did not get Supreme Court review, and the Court made no ruling on either treaty question.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Court refused to hear the case (denied review) and did not decide either question.
Melissa Arzu brought the case for herself and Kevin Greenidge’s estate after Greenidge died during an inflight medical emergency.
The case asked whether the Montreal Convention applies to claims about an airline crew’s response to an inflight medical emergency and whether it blocks a state-law claim for a promised advance payment after a passenger’s death.
Question presented
1. Whether a passenger seeking recovery under Article 17 of the Montreal Convention for injuries arising from a flight crew’s response to an inflight medical emergency must prove the crew’s “willing inaction”? 2. Whether the Montreal Convention preempts a state law breach of contract claim seeking to enforce a provision in a carrier’s conditions of carriage to make a mandatory advance payment upon a passenger’s death?
Documents
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
AI analysis generated: Decision Record
Case data updated: summary, question_presented, generation_metadata
Case data updated: question_presented, extraction_metadata
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Brief added: Petition
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.