A Delta Air Lines Flight 4819 crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport on February 17 left 76 passengers suspended upside down from their seatbelts. The airline is offering each passenger $30,000 in compensation, totaling approximately $2.3 million if all accept.
The CRJ900 twin-jet aircraft experienced technical issues upon landing and caught fire, resulting in the crash. Fortunately, all 80 people on board survived, with 21 passengers taken to the hospital but released since.
Passengers who accept the offer will likely receive compensation shortly after agreeing, according to aviation law expert Thomas A. Demetrio. Delta’s payment is considered a public relations gesture to help those affected financially.
However, some experts predict that this offer may not deter passengers from pursuing lawsuits. Under international treaty Montreal Convention, passengers are entitled to up to $200,000 in compensation for medical expenses and lost income, regardless of the airline’s negligence. If injured, passengers have two years to file a lawsuit, with most cases resolved outside court within 12-18 months.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/20/business/delta-toronto-crash-payout-offer/index.html