Lawyers representing David Dao, the United passenger who was forcibly dragged off a plane, said he sustained multiple injuries during the incident, including a concussion and a broken nose.
“He was discharged late last night,” lawyer Tom Demetrio said during a press conference on Thursday. “He did, in fact, suffer a significant concussion as a result of disembarking that plane and I can also tell you that he had a serious broken nose, injury to the sinuses and he’s going to be undergoing reconstructive surgery in that regard.
“He lost two front teeth but concussions are sort of an iffy condition … He is shaken.”
Dao, 69, was forcibly removed from Flight 3411 at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Sunday. Videos of his bloodied face and Dao’s violent removal by security officers have since gone viral, sparking an outcry across the country.
Demetrio also said that Dao had no recollection of reentering the plane after he was dragged off by three security officers. A second shocking video of the incident showed him saying “just kill me” repeatedly while bleeding after he was initially taken off the flight.
The lawyer added that his client’s injuries weren’t just limited to physical damages, but that he also suffered emotionally. For example, Demetrio claimed Dao has “no interest in seeing an airplane” again.
One of Dao’s five children was at the press conference. His daughter expressed gratitude for the prayers, love and concern that they have received in the days after the incident.
“It has been a very difficult time for my family, especially for my dad, and we are truly grateful of your support,” she said. “What happened to my dad should’ve never happened to any human being, regardless of the circumstance. We were horrified and shocked and sickened to learn what had happened to him and to see what had happened to him. We hope that in the future, nothing like this happens again.”
On Tuesday, United CEO Oscar Munoz issued a statement taking “full responsibility” for the incident and promising to “make it right.”
“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. No one should ever be mistreated this way,” he said. “I want you to know that we take full responsibility and we will work to make it right.”
A representative for United has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment.