Disabled Travelers File Lawsuit for Access to Airlines

Attorney Richard Bernstein Represents Disabled Fliers in Lawsuit Against Northwest Airlines and Airport Authority

Five disabled Metro Detroit residents are suing both Northwest Airlines and the Wayne County Airport Authority, in an effort to put an end to discrimination of disabled fliers who have been denied equal access to air travel and facilities, as required by law.

On April 14, 2008, attorney Richard Bernstein, of the Bernstein Law Firm in Farmington Hills, filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Detroit, seeking an end to Northwest and the Airport Authority’s failure to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Air Carrier Act and the Rehabilitation Act.

In 2006, Bernstein reached an out-of-court agreement with both Northwest and the Airport Authority to protect disabled fliers’ rights. Both Northwest and the Airport Authority have failed to comply with that agreement.

The five plaintiffs filing the lawsuit are:

• Deborah Thomas – a Detroit resident who is disabled due to childhood polio, has been forced to stand in line, when physically unable to do so.
• Emma Daniels – a Detroit resident who is blind, has been denied use of check-in kiosks and has missed a flight while waiting excessively to receive assistance in traveling.
• Martin Drouillard – a Roseville resident who uses a wheelchair due to quadriplegia, has been dropped to the floor due to improper assistance. Northwest Airlines handlers also damaged his wheelchair.
• James Keskeny – a Pinckney resident with muscular dystrophy, was tilted parallel to the floor as airport personnel wheeled him down the aisle of a plane. Northwest handlers also damaged his wheelchair.
• Jill Babcock – a Farmington resident whose wheelchair incurred repeated damage on Northwest flights and was also given to another disabled passenger by mistake. She was denied accessible parking at Detroit Metro Airport.

Attorney and disability rights advocate Richard Bernstein, who is also blind, represents the five Metro Detroiters bringing the suit.

Click here to download the legal Complaint filed in Thomas vs. Northwest Airlines and Wayne County Airport Authority

Click here to download the Attachments to the legal Complaint filed in Thomas vs. Northwest Airlines and Wayne County Airport Authority

Click here for more information about Attorney Richard Bernstein