Madison Cupp Sues Delta For USD 2.35 Million For Wrongly Accusing Her Father And Humiliating Them

Delta Air Lines is facing a lawsuit after a flight attendant accused a father of human trafficking his own teenage daughter. A young woman from Arkansas has sued Delta Air Lines and claimed that the airline had accused her father of human trafficking his own daughter, while the girl’s mother and grandparents sat a few seats away.

What is the Delta Air Lines case all about?

The lawsuit stems from an alleged unpleasant episode that happened during a flight in December 2019, when a 13-year-old, Madison Cupp, was travelling with her mother, father and maternal grandparents from Memphis to Newport News in Virginia. The family was travelling to attend Madison’s elder brother’s graduation ceremony.

During the journey, the flight hit turbulence, and Cupp “began crying.” At that moment, her father comforted her and took care of her well-being. Her entire family was present on the flight, with her grandparents seated in front of her, and her mother was seated across the aisle. A flight attendant who saw Madison’s father comforting her contacted the flight’s captain. She reported having a suspicion that the man had trafficked Madison.

Delta Air Lines staff also alleged that the father touched his daughter ‘inappropriately’

After the captain was informed about the false trafficking, the crew member requested a law enforcement response to separate Madison from her family. Then the information was also shared with the Delta station manager in Newport News. As per Madison, apart from wrongly subjecting her father to a charge of trafficking, the attendant also alleged sexual assault. Madison stated that the attendant claimed that the father touched his daughter, “inappropriately”.

Pic credit: Google Maps

Madison Cupp’s family faced public humiliation for Delta Air Lines’ false reporting

As per multiple reports, Madison revealed that when the flight landed in Newport News, armed officers boarded the flight and physically separated her from her family. It was a shock to Madison and her whole family, who were clueless. Madison further alleged that her father was interrogated in a “public portion of the airport,” in front of many onlookers. The officers realised that there was no probable cause to charge or arrest Madison’s father. The incident, which took place in public, brought a lot of shame and humiliation to the family.

What does Madison Cupp’s lawsuit claim from Delta Air Lines?

The lawsuit accuses Delta of negligence, defamation, and infliction of emotional distress. Madison’s family has sought USD 2.35 million in compensation from the airlines, citing that the whole incident was not just humiliating but also had a lasting psychological impact on the daughter and caused reputational harm to the father. Alison is seeking compensatory damages in the amount of USD 2 million and USD 350,000 in punitive damages, in addition to interest, court costs and fees. On the other hand, Delta has not yet issued a detailed public statement on the lawsuit. Delta declined to comment on the pending case.

Legal observers indicate that the lawsuit will proceed in federal court in the coming months, and Delta has the option to either settle the case or seek dismissal. The case is expected to draw attention from both airline industry groups and civil rights organisations. If the verdict is in favour of the family, then the airline is not only liable to give the compensation but will also have to tighten its training and reporting standards.

What do you think about Madison Cupp’s lawsuit against Delta Air Lines?

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Images Courtesy: Delta/X