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The man who was dragged off the United flight just took the first step toward filing a lawsuit (UAL)
The passenger, 69-year-old David Dao, has retained a lawyer and has asked for a court order for United and the city of Chicago to keep all footage.
United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz.
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The passenger, 69-year-old David Dao, has obtained a personal-injury lawyer and asked the Cook County Court to issue an order for United and the city of Chicago to keep all footage, audio recordings, and any other reports and material from the flight, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The incident involving Dao happened Sunday evening in Chicago aboard a plane bound for Louisville. A fellow passenger recorded a video that showed Dao being yanked from his seat and dragged off the plane with blood on his face.
Dao told WLKY, a local Kentucky station, on Tuesday that he was still being treated at a Chicago hospital for injuries he suffered. He also said he was not doing well and "everything" was injured.
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United said in a statement that it needed room on the aircraft to transfer crew for another flight and that it offered $1,000 to customers to give up their seats. When no one volunteered, it selected several passengers to deplane. Dao was chosen, but United said he refused to get off the plane.
Employees then contacted Chicago Aviation Department officers to help remove Dao. One of the officers involved has since been put on leave, and the department has launched an investigation.
United's CEO, Oscar Munoz, quickly came under fire for his initial response to the incident. He issued another statement on Tuesday formally apologizing for how Dao was treated.
"Like you, I continue to be disturbed by what happened on this flight, and I deeply apologize to the customer forcibly removed and to all the customers aboard," Munoz said. "I want you to know that we take full responsibility and we will work to make it right."
The company also said all passengers on the flight would be reimbursed for their tickets.
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