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Man sues airline after getting finger caught in armrest

A man is suing after he says one of his pinky fingers was caught in an airline armrest mechanism for nearly an hour during a flight to Los Angeles.

City News Service reports Stephen Keys has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against both American Airlines and SkyWest Airlines alleging negligence.

The complaint says the injury to his finger left Keys unable to perform such previously routine tasks as driving and playing with his children.

It says Keys experienced weeks of intense pain and severe emotional distress.

The man was in first class on board a flight from Reno to Los Angeles, NBC Bay Area reports.

A man had his finger stuck in the armrest of a flight from Reno to Los Angeles for almost an hour. Source: File/Getty
A man had his finger stuck in the armrest of a flight from Reno to Los Angeles for almost an hour. Source: File/Getty

When Keys raised the right armrest to reach the seat belt strap, his right pinky finger became lodged inside a small hole under the armrest, according to the lawsuit filed on December 5.

“The spring mechanism embedded inside of this hole in the armrest applied intense pressure to the plaintiff’s finger, immediately inflicting injury, swelling and pain,” the suit reads.

Flight personnel and other passengers were unable to free the man’s finger until an airline mechanic disassembled the armrest.

The lawsuit states that Keys had to endure a “humiliating public spectacle” and remained trapped in the “nightmarish condition” for almost an hour.

Stephen Keys has filed a lawsuit against American Airlines and SkyWest Airlines, citing negligence. Source: File/Getty
Stephen Keys has filed a lawsuit against American Airlines and SkyWest Airlines, citing negligence. Source: File/Getty

A representative for American, which has a flying agreement with SkyWest, referred all comment to SkyWest.

In a statement they said: “We worked with our partner American to reach out to Mr. Keys regarding his bruised finger and look forward to swiftly resolving this matter.

“Due to the ongoing litigation, we cannot comment further.”