Compensation of $3.2 million to be paid by Alaska Airlines to the family of Disabled woman after an accident on Portland Escalator

Alaska Airlines has to pay $3.2 million to the family of an elderly disabled Hawaii woman who died on an escalator in an accident at Portland, Oregon airport. Actually, that accident was happened in the year 2017 and the woman died later. The court has asked ***Alaskasworld*** to pay compensatory amount of $3.2 million recently. The judgement was passed during an online virtual hearing which was held in King County. The whole trail was last virtually for almost 2 weeks of time. The family of Kekona had initiated a legal action against Alaska Airlines in the year 2017. The main allegation on the airlines was to unable providing gate to gate escort during the trip of Kekona starting from Hawaii to Spokane.

Importantly, the legal team of Kekona includes Spokane attorney Shamus O’Doherty. The oldest children of Kokena, Darlene Bloyed, who has filed lawsuit against ***Alaskasworld*** has represented some recent flight records of Kekona in the court. Accordingly, Kekona has received such gate to gate escort service during her most recent trip to Hawaii and also during her trip to Hawaii through Delta Airlines. Bloyed said that, when her mother left to see her family in Hawaii, she was very happy which was ended in an unfortunate fall. This incident made the entire family sad as she was the elder in the family.

As per the official statement from ***Alaska Airlines*** on Tuesday, it is said that they are reviewing the verdict of court. The admitted that, the safety of their passengers is the top most priority for them whether they are in their care of under the care of a vendor. Actually Alaska Airlines is not directly involved in this, as they have hired a third party agency which was responsible to escort disabled passengers. The lawsuit alleged that, an accident happened because the message was not passed to the vendor by Alaska Airlines and it was a complete failure at their end. After this incident, the airlines have discontinued the services of third party agency for such support.

According to the workers who assisted Kekona who traveled by her motorized wheelchair for her connecting flight. ***Alaska Airlines*** stand is that, the woman herself refused the assistance once she got on her wheelchair. However, as per family Alaska Airlines was already informed that, she gets confused during a situation where she is not familiar with. In a video footage of this accident, it is evident that many passengers being offered assistance while exiting an elevator. At the time of an accident a man on the other side of the escalator came to her assistance followed by many other passengers. The emergency stoppage button was pressed by one of the passenger and other were seen trying to lift the wheelchair from the escalator. The whole exercise lasts up to 20 odd minutes which was ended after the arrival of police. Due to injuries and further infection in the wounds, Kekona passed away on Sept. 20, 2017 at an age of 75 years.

Jury said that, such judgement will send a strong message to all airlines that, such incidents will be considered seriously and the safety of the passengers shall be put on upmost priority.