Aug 23 (Reuters) - United Airlines (UAL.O) has agreed to a $30 million settlement after a deplaning incident left a quadriplegic man in a vegetative state, court papers show.
The settlement with the family of Nathaniel Foster Jr, known as N.J., was disclosed on Tuesday in San Francisco federal court, and reached after one day of trial.
Now 26, Foster has "significant" brain damage, cannot speak or eat solid foods, and is expected to live to age 31-1/2, down from 39 before the incident, court papers show.
"Our top priority is to provide a safe journey for all our customers, especially those who require additional assistance or the use of a wheelchair," United said in a statement Wednesday.
The case is Foster et al v United Airlines Inc et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No.
Persons:
Nathaniel Foster Jr, Foster, Foster's, Jonathan Stempel, Nick Zieminski
Organizations:
United Airlines, United Express, al, United Airlines Inc, Court, Northern District of, Thomson
Locations:
San Francisco federal, Monroe , Louisiana, Pleasant Hill , California, U.S, Northern District, Northern District of California, New York