'Scarier than the Viet Cong': United Airlines passenger suffered broken nose, lost teeth and concussion
The passenger dragged from an overbooked United Airlines flight earlier this week said his experience was scarier than when he fled the Viet Cong.
Dr Dao, a Vietnamese-American, made international headlines when numerous videos of him being dragged from his seat bleeding at the mouth on an overbooked flight emerged causing widespread outrage.
Lawyer Thomas Demetrio said Dr Dao suffered a concussion, broken nose and lost two teeth in the altercation.
Demetrio said the 69-year-old will require reconstructive surgery.
“He told me that he had left Vietnam in 1975 when Saigon fell and he was on a boat and he said he was terrified,” Demetrio told the press in Chicago.
“He said that when they were dragging him down the aisle it was more horrifying than what he experienced in leaving Vietnam.”
He added the 69-year-old’s concussion was so severe he can’t remember the entire incident.
Neither Dr Dao's legal team nor his family had heard from United yet, the lawyer said. He confirmed Dr Dao is intending to sue the airline.
"For a long time airlines, United in particular, have bullied us," lawyer Thomas Demetrio said.
"Will there be a lawsuit? Yeah, probably."
It coincides with reports Chicago’s aviation officers, who removed Dr Dao, may not have had the authority.
“They are allowed in the terminal and baggage area, but my understanding is they may not be allowed on a plane,” City Council Alderman Michael Zalewski said.
