New Jersey, August 27: A New Jersey woman has filed a lawsuit against American Airlines, alleging she was sexually assaulted by a male passenger during a nighttime flight from Charlotte, NC, to Newark Liberty International Airport on August 26, 2022. The lawsuit, filed in federal court last week, claims the airline failed to prevent the sex assault or intervene in a timely manner.

According to the lawsuit, the woman fell asleep shortly after takeoff, seated between a friend and the alleged assailant. She awoke to find the man’s left arm inside her pants and his right hand forcing her hand onto his penis, reported NYPost. The man, who used a black puffer jacket to shield his actions, allegedly “digitally penetrated” the woman as she slept. After she woke up in shock and panic, the man climbed on top of her, partially penetrating her before she managed to push him away. US Woman Asked to Leave Plane After Sex Toy Starts Buzzing in Suitcase, Viral Video of ‘Embarrassing’ Incident Surfaces.

The attacker attempted to act as though nothing had happened, even offering the woman water while forcibly holding her hand when a flight attendant passed by. The woman then woke her friend and reported the assault to the flight attendant, who moved her to a different seat for the remainder of the flight. Upon landing, the man was escorted off the plane, but the lawsuit states it is unclear whether he was taken into custody or charged. US Man Asks Flight Attendant for Sex, Tries to Open Aircraft’s Door Mid-Air; Arrested After His Unruly Behaviour Forces Plane to Make Emergency Landing.

The lawsuit argues that American Airlines breached its duty of care by failing to monitor the cabin and prevent the assault, despite rising incidents of in-flight sexual assaults. The woman’s attorney, Brian Andris, called for the need for justice, stating, “We look forward to seeking justice on behalf of our client to remedy this terrible injustice.”

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 27, 2024 11:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).