After a 2020 incident where a Delta flight dumped jet fuel on Los Angeles residents in an emergency, the airline must pay over $78 million in damages. One woman shares how those impacted can get their money.
Why did Delta dump jet fuel on Los Angeles?
A January 2020 flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai lost thrust right after takeoff, according to CNN. The 15,000 pounds of jet fuel could complicate the plane’s safe landing, so pilots dumped the excess at a low altitude over heavily populated areas in Los Angeles. The plane was able to safely land.
Delta agrees to pay $78.75 million to Los Angeles residents impacted by the jet fuel released in the emergency.
The report continues that Delta still denies wrongdoing but settled “to avoid the uncertainty, distraction, and cost of litigation.” The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also clears the pilots of wrongdoing.
How can Los Angeles residents get paid for the incident?
In a video with around 2,000 views, TikToker Jenica (@jenica.mishu) recaps the incident.
“[The jet fuel] landed on schools, homes, and playgrounds with kids. Over 160,000 people were exposed, so now Delta’s paying the price,” she says.
She recommends those who worked or lived in the impacted areas in 2020 to seek compensation.
Jenica offers one way for Los Angeles residents to file a claim, through the Compensate app. The platform lets users sign up and file with an updated list of class action lawsuits. The TikToker touts the app in her bio, and may be sponsored by the platform.
On the subreddit r/technology, some question whether the settlement will fairly compensate those who were impacted by the jet fuel.
“$111 per person for having jet fuel poured all over you is pretty freakin light,” one says after breaking down the math.
“$111 AND the ability to see if it could melt steel beams. Total deal,” another jokes.
“Yeah, I’ve taken a Jet A bath before (unintentionally) and $111 isn’t even close to making it worth it,” a third remarks.
Legal platform Expert Institute suggests the payout could be even less, just $104 for non-property owners. The 38,000 property owners impacted by the jet fuel could receive around $888.
Others lament that the large settlement is just pennies for Delta.
“Now that’s a Win-Win. Delta gets a pat on their back from the Federal Aviation Administration for ‘doing the right thing’, pays a meaningless fine and the lawyers get $28 million dollars,” a commenter writes.
“A [expletive] up like this should realistically bankrupt a company and jail people for negligence. The company should be re-sold with new management,” another suggests.
@jenica.mishu if you fly delta your going to want to hear this #airport #delta #deltaairlines #plane #fy ♬ original sound – jenica
The Mary Sue reached out to Jenica via email and to Delta via media form for further comment.
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