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Photo: AP/David J. Phillip

A United passenger is suing the airline after he allegedly fractured his spine on a plane

In his lawsuit, Greg Woienski alleges that the airline took his wheelchair before he boarded the aircraft

Aviation

By Mark Matousek

United Airlines passenger Greg Woienski is suing the airline for allegedly taking his wheelchair away from him before he reached his seat on a February 2017 flight from Orlando to Newark. After his wheelchair was taken, he allegedly fell and fractured his spine, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

According to the lawsuit, Woienski, who was 65 at the time of the alleged incident, was travelling from Orlando International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport to attend his father’s funeral. After making his way across the jet bridge, Woienski’s wheelchair was allegedly taken from him before he reached the aircraft, despite the fact that he had indicated to the airline he would need a wheelchair for transport, forcing him to step onto the aircraft and walk to his seat by himself.

The lawsuit alleges that Woienski fell “almost immediately” after he stepped onto the plane, fractured his spine, and suffered “several other major injuries.” Woienski has allegedly not recovered from those injuries.

United’s website says that it offers wheelchairs “non-ambulatory” passengers can use to travel to and from their seats. The website also says that every United aircraft with over 60 seats has a wheelchair onboard.

The airline declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Before the flight, Woienski started a GoFundMe page to pay for his and his fiancee’s tickets. On the page, Woienski wrote that he is “on permanent disability” and relies on crutches to move.

United has found itself in a series of customer service mishaps since April 2017, when it dragged a passenger off an overbooked flight. Last week, the airline drew attention after one dog died after being placed in the overhead bin of a United flight and two were sent to incorrect destinations.

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