Grieving Mother Files $10 Million Lawsuit Against American Airlines

PHOENIX - May 1, 2017 - PRLog -- Claims Breach of Contract, Negligence, Gross Negligence, and Intentional Infliction Of Emotional Distress.

PHOENIX (May 1, 2017) – by Dawn White – Grieving mother, Iddy Pierre-Canel recently filed a $10 million lawsuit against American Airlines alleging breach of contract, negligence, gross negligence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.  The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court, District of Arizona by Lorraine Morey of Morey Law, PLLC, alleges American's actions caused the loss of the cremated remains of Carm-Idrelle Casseus, Pierre Canel's only daughter, causing Pierre-Canel to lose her child a second time.

Little did Pierre-Canel know that while she sat quietly crying at an American Airline departure gate at BWI, her world was about to be drastically altered forever.  An American Gate Agent approached her and asked if anything was wrong.  Pierre-Canel explained she was carrying the cremated remains of her 28-year-old daughter home to Tucson to honor her daughter's final dying wishes.  The Gate Agent asked Pierre-Canel several times if she wanted to check her carry-on bags, one of which contained the urn, Casseus's personal effects, and memorial gifts.  Upset and crying, Pierre-Canel repeatedly and emphatically told the Gate Agent she did not want to check her carry-on bags as she wanted her daughter to remain with her.

According to the lawsuit, as Pierre-Canel prepared to board the aircraft, the Gate Agent approached her again and picked up the carry-on baggage, Pierre-Canel believed the Gate Agent was helping her carry the bags onto the plane.  While the distraught mother took her seat, and the plane doors closed, she realized the Gate Agent had not returned her carry-on luggage to her.  Pierre-Canel then asked the Flight Attendant the location of her carry-on bags. Pierre-Canel was informed that the Gate Agent had checked her carry-on luggage. The Flight Attendant then gave Pierre-Canel two baggage claim tickets, one for each bag. Pierre-Canel was assured her bags would be the first luggage to exit the plane in Tucson, her final destination. Pierre-Canel had no choice but to trust that American would safeguard her irreplaceable, precious cargo that was packed in the carry-on bags.

After arriving in Tucson, the bags American personnel checked without Pierre-Canel's knowledge or consent, did not exit from the plane first.  In fact, the bags did not arrive at all. Completely broken down and frantic, Pierre-Canel immediately went to the American baggage claim area and reported her bags, containing her only child's remains, had not arrived. The bags never arrived and Pierre-Canel had no choice but to leave the airport.  She contacted American daily, but no explanation was given and American could not locate the baggage.  To add insult to injury, the Flight Attendant had given Pierre-Canel the claim tickets for someone else's luggage.

Nearly a month after returning home, one damaged empty tote bag was returned to the grieving mother via Federal Express.

The lawsuit alleges American Airlines breached its own Conditions of Carriage contract that specifically states a passenger should personally carry valuables, including cremated remains, in the passenger cabin.  Despite these express contract provisions, the Gate Agent took Pierre-Canel's carry-on baggage from her, knowing it contained the urn, and checked the carry-on baggage without Pierre-Canel's consent.

The lawsuit was filed after all efforts were made to recover the missing remains and personal effects of Casseus from American.  The lawsuit seeks damages caused by American's actions, which resulted in severe emotional pain and suffering, and the loss of irreplaceable personal property.  As of the date of the Complaint, no explanation has been given to Pierre-Canel as to why her bags were taken from her and why the urn and other valuables have been neither located, nor returned to her.

Based in Phoenix, AZ, Morey Law, PLLC (www.morey-law.com) is a law firm that provides legal representation for civil litigation, personal injury and estate planning/administration.  A copy of the lawsuit is available here (http://morey-law.com/complaint-number-4-17-cv-00122-ckj.pdf).