There’s no doubt that air travel is stressful. Canceled and delayed flights, crowded cabins, people trying to fit large bags in to the overhead bins, crying babies and more can pit passengers against one another and often against airline employees.
Last month, three women who were scheduled to board a Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale to Philadelphia reportedly became so upset when they learned that the flight was delayed that they attacked airline employees at their gate.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the women struck the Spirit Airlines employees with “miscellaneous items, such as phones, shoes, full water bottles, metal boarding signs and fast food.” The incident took place in Terminal 4 of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
One local television station showed video of the attack, in which the women even went behind the counter where the employees were standing. According to Spirit, their employees suffered minor injuries.
The three women who were arrested, all in their early 20s, were from Philadelphia. They were all charged with battery. One was also charged with petit theft for allegedly stealing an employee’s phone. They were jailed and eventually posted bond.
Unfortunately, anyone who is in a job where they’re dealing face-to-face with customers can find themselves the victim of an assault or worse. Sometimes, employees are attacked as part of a robbery. Other times, a customer doesn’t know how to control their anger and becomes violent.
Whatever the situation, if you were injured at work or while doing your job by a customer, it’s essential to be sure that you get the compensation you need and deserve. It’s also wise to determine whether your employer could or should have had safety precautions in place that would have helped prevent the attack. An experienced attorney is a good source of information and guidance.
