SANTA ANA -- A man is seeking millions of dollars in a lawsuit as he claims to have suffered a traumatic brain injury by striking his head during a fall at an airport.
Louis Zaharias filed a complaint in May in Orange County Superior Court against United Airlines, which removed the case to federal court on June 15.
According to the complaint, Zaharias, an elderly man, on Dec. 27, 2020, returned to Orange County on a flight after visiting an ailing relative. Upon arrival, Zaharias learned that the airport had lost parts of his luggage, including personal gifts from his ailing family member.
Zaharias went to approach the United Airlines baggage claim office where employees refused to provide Zaharias' luggage without first having an inventory of the personal items, the suit claims. Zaharias alleges that he was isolated in a small corner and told he was not allowed to leave without giving up his right to reclaim his lost possession, the suit says. While trying to complete the process, Zaharias hit his head on disguised plexiglass which caused him to fall and suffer a traumatic brain injury, concussion and orthopedic injuries, the suit says.
Zaharias claims employees laughed at him for a while before calling authorities to help.
Zaharias seeks $500,000 for pain, suffering and inconvenience; $3,000,000 for emotional distress; $100,000 for medical expenses; $2,300,000 for future medical expenses; $80,000 for loss of earnings; $1,840,000 for loss of future earning capacity and $3,150 for property damage. Zaharias is represented by Rick J. Nehora of Nehora Law Firm, APC.