Disabled Hawaii Man Suing Delta Air Lines for ADA Violations

A Maui man who uses a wheelchair says he was forced to crawl through the aisle, up and down stairs and along a tarmac during a Delta Air Lines flight last year.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that Baraka Kanaan, in a lawsuit filed July 23, is seeking compensation from the airline for negligence, emotional distress and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In the complaint, Kanaan says he called the airline before his trip to Nantucket, Mass., to secure an aisle chair and lift to access the airplane. Kanaan alleges that upon his arrival, none of that equipment available. Furthermore, flight crew said they couldn’t help him exit due to liability reasons.

In a statement Friday, Delta said it’s taking the situation very seriously but wouldn’t comment further.