Delta Air Lines has released a humble apology to a Marine veteran and police officer who uses prosthetic legs, following claims that he was embarrassed when asked to leave a plane's exit row.
Matias Ferreira, 36, has filed a lawsuitalleging that he was removed from his seat prior to a flight departing from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport in May.
Ferreira lost both of his legs in 2011 while serving inAfghanistanwhen he triggered an IED (improvised explosive device) that detonated.
Although he sustained a severe injury, Ferreira chose to join the police academy upon returning to his home in Long Island and has been working with the Suffolk County Police Department for a decade.
His legal action states that although he had notified the staff about his job qualifications and had previously occupied an exit row seat, he was eventually told to relocate to a different seat because of his prosthetics.
A representative from Delta stated that the company has apologized to Ferreira and has implemented 'corrective measures.'
"[Delta] quickly examined the situation, apologized to the customer, provided a refund and compensation, and implemented suitable corrective measures internally," the representative stated.
Delta has a long history of supporting accessible travel for everyone and engaging with the community through our Disability and Accessible Travel Advisory Board. We will address the legal action at the appropriate time.
Ferreira shared the apology in a Facebook post, stating: 'Yes, Delta did send a "Generic" letter "Not signed" which expressed their apologies, and "For clarification, travelers with prosthetics are not banned from sitting in an exit row."'
He further mentioned that he initiated the legal action to highlight prosthetics and demonstrate that 'every individual who wishes to sit and is able to do so in that seat can make an impact.'
"I recognize that the choice arises from a history of limited knowledge regarding prosthetics and engineering," Ferreira wrote.
Many individuals who have not kept pace with modern developments still hold the belief that we are incapable of competing, living, or performing tasks as effectively as someone who has both arms and legs.
I'm here to promote love and optimism within our community. I have faith in each child who was once told they were incapable, yet now excels at the top levels. I'm committed to supporting veterans who face challenges with public speaking due to anxiety, depression, and the fear of not being accepted.
The lawyer for Ferreira, Norman Steiner, stated to the Daily Mail that his firm is handling the case free of charge to convey a message.
"The goal of this legal action is to stop such incidents from happening in the future," Steiner stated.
Travelers sitting in the emergency exit row are questioned at the start of the journey to determine if they can assist others during an emergency.
Delta's guidelines indicate that travelers cannot occupy an exit row seat if they "do not have adequate mobility, strength, or ability in both arms and hands, as well as both legs, to reach the emergency exit, open it, and evacuate quickly," according to the airline.website.
Ferreira accepted the duty when questioned by Delta's cabin crew, yet was still instructed to change his seat.
"I felt as though I was seen as a risk, not as a United States Marine, not as a police officer, not as a father of two, not as someone who plays golf and skydives and shoots and engages in all kinds of activities," he said to the.New York Post.
Ferreira mentioned that the experience was embarrassing and left him feeling as though he had been 'taken away' from all his achievements as a double amputee.
Steiner described the event as a 'devastating blow' for Ferreira and claimed that Delta's actions constituted a 'spiritual amputation.'
"They don't possess a prosthetic device capable of restoring your sense of identity and your sense of direction," the lawyer stated.
Ferreira mentioned that during his return flight, he observed that a safety brochure located in front of his seat included an illustration of a man using a prosthetic leg assisting in an emergency situation.
The attorney for Ferreira stated that the goal is to highlight the reported discriminatory behaviors towards individuals with amputations.
Steiner stated that "all Mr. Ferreira (and the company) is seeking is improved training for the crew to prevent such an unfortunate incident from happening again."
Read more- Why was Delta Air Lines involved in a legal case concerning the mistreatment of a Marine veteran?
- How did Delta Airlines address allegations of 'Flying While Black' embarrassment during a first-class incident?
- Why is a disgruntled passenger seeking action from American Airlines following a "lackluster reaction" to a significant wheelchair-related incident?
- Are airlines breaking disability laws by asking passengers to seek assistance from others, as alleged by an influencer who was injured during a flight?
- How did a young individual in a wheelchair find themselves moving along an airplane corridor, sparking widespread online anger and a wave of negative feedback directed at American Airlines?