'She prayed and feared for her life:' Woman sues Southwest, engine maker after fatal flight

DALLAS BUSINESS JOURNAL – A passenger who was aboard Southwest flight 1380 on April 17 has filed a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) and CFM International, the maker of the plane's failed engine.

Lilia Chavez said in the lawsuit she has experienced post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, emotional distress, depression and personal injuries to her body in wake of the fatal Southwest flight.

Jennifer Riordan was killed after the window she was sitting next to blew out as an engine suffered a catastrophic failure. After the engine came partially apart about 20 minutes after departing, shrapnel pierced the fuselage and the window Riordan was sitting next to.

Chavez sat three rows back from the shattered window, and the lawsuit said she feared for her life after the engine failed and the aircraft started severely vibrating.

"She prayed and feared for her life," the lawsuit said. "She heard other passengers using their cell phones to reach out to loved ones to say their final goodbyes, she herself contacted her children to tell them that she loved them and that she was preparing to die aboard the crippled aircraft."

Chavez was struck by debris that was flying around the cabin after the window blew out, the lawsuit said. The suit added that being struck by debris obstructed her breathing.

"Our focus remains on working with the NTSB to support their investigation," Southwest said in a prepared statement. "We can’t comment on any pending litigation. The safety and security of our employees and customers is our highest priority at all times."

CFM International declined to comment. Read the full lawsuit here. The lawsuit also named GE Aviation and French aerospace company Safran, the two companies that make up CFM International.

Chavez is seeking the full amount permitted by law, including compensatory damages and punitive damages, the lawsuit said.

In wake of the flight, the Dallas-based airline sent an apology letter and $5,000 checks to the passengers who were on board. With 144 passengers onboard, that comes out to a total of approximately $720,000.

A business strategy expert said it was the first time he's heard of a company sending checks to customers affected by an accident like this.

"Initially, the instinct is to kind of circle the wagons and wait for the lawyers to do what the lawyers are going to do," said Mike Davis, senior lecturer at Southern Methodist University's Cox School of Business. "When accidents have happened, the airlines have moved very quickly to try and help survivors with transportation or counseling or stuff like that. But, writing a check like that is quite surprising."

Go here to read this article in its original form at the Dallas Business Journal.

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