Family Sues Delta Air Lines & Japan Airlines Over Seattle Ground Collision

Delta and Japan Airlines are being sued by a family over a ground collision that happened on the tarmac of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on February 6, citing a “twisting impact on the passengers.”

During the accident, a moving Japan Airlines aircraft clipped the tail of a parked Delta Air Lines jet, which made both aircraft jolt.

Despite Delta having reported that nobody was hurt during this incident, the lawsuit has now been filed and attorneys claim that some of the passengers suffered serious spinal sprains and strains.

According to Fox13 Seattle, the family that is now suing the two airlines was onboard the Delta flight:

… Attorney Lara Herrmann, who is representing a family in the lawsuit, said the collision produced a “twisting impact on the passengers,” causing injuries that “typically manifest a day or two after an incident.”

“Given the recent spate of horrible air crashes, their experience was emotionally terrifying as well,” Lara Herrmann stated.

The lawsuit states that the Delta aircraft, a Boeing 737 operating from Seattle to Puerto Vallarta, was stationary as it awaited deicing. Passengers on the Delta flight were moved to a different aircraft following the crash.

The family being represented, a couple and their two daughters, were on board the Delta flight. Attorney Herrmann claims the collision is legally governed by the Montreal Convention of 1999, which means each passenger is entitled to as much as or about $200,000.

The complaint claims Delta is at fault for having its aircraft tail protruding into the pathway of another taxiing aircraft, and Japan Airlines is at fault for not maintaining a safe distance from the Delta plane.

The lawsuit is seeking $200,000 for causing injuries, emotional distress, and negligence. It claims that otherwise, Delta must prove the collision was entirely the fault of Japan Airlines, or some other third party, such as ground crews or air traffic control. …

I mean… the Delta jet didn’t move and was sitting at a position for de-icing. Japan Airlines was moving and hit the tail. It should be relatively easy to prove who was at fault here.

Overall, I feel this lawsuit is grasping for straws a little. Having injuries such as stated while being seated… are they the only injured passengers? I would love for Delta to fight this in court, something doesn’t sound right.

The accident happened on February 6 and was unfortunately just the latest Japan Airlines-related incident (at least this time there is no alcohol involved):

A Japan Airlines passenger plane collided with a Delta Airlines jet while taxiing at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The collision was minor and all passengers on both flights were deplaned safely, with no injuries

WATCH ▶️ https://t.co/qr9qiWMhLA
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.#Japanairlines |… pic.twitter.com/SezLThFHrp

— Republic (@republic) February 6, 2025

It’s hard to say if passengers were in the process of boarding or already seated when JAL hit the Delta Aircraft. Can there really be serious injuries from this when everyone sits and wears the seatbelt? Especially “serious spinal sprains”!?

Most recent airline incidents that resulted in bodily harm included Singapore Airlines, which knowingly flew into turbulence, and the infamous Delta “Upside Down” landing in Toronto last month.

Both airlines offered a goodwill payment and a settlement for pain and suffering incurred:

Upside Down: Delta Jet Crashes Upon Landing At Toronto Airport, 21 People Injured

For the Seattle incident, neither airline has offered any cash payment as far as I’m aware. The flights were just cancelled and passengers had to deplane to receive rebookings.

If the case is still under active investigation, whoever was at fault will ultimately be decided in court or by the NTSB, and a final report will be issued.

Whenever these accidents occur, there are some “more or less reputable” law firms that try to squeeze money out of airlines. I guess you could call them ambulance chasers. Although in this case it *might* be that the passengers have sought out legal representation, who knows!?

Conclusion

A month after Japan Airlines clipped a Delta jet while taxiing at Seattle-Tacoma, a family who was onboard the Delta flight has filed a lawsuit against both airlines, alleging they were injured during the incident.

This is the first legal action reported in the media and apparently the only group of passengers that got injured – once again, allegedly.

While I don’t believe that airlines are honest and forthcoming, something doesn’t sit right with me about this case. Unfortunately, many of these cases get settled anyway, as the company decides it’s not worth going to court and takes the risk of litigating the matter. The problem with this approach is that it invites “drive-by lawsuits” in future situations as well.

If an airline or any company makes a reputation for itself that it won’t settle cases but instead goes through litigation that usually deters all frivolous cases.

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