Professor sues Boeing for $40M over alleged brain damage from Delta 737 fumes

Jonathan Harris, a law professor, has filed a $40 million lawsuit against Boeing, alleging he suffered brain damage from toxic fumes aboard a Delta Air Lines Boeing 737 flight in August last year. The complaint, filed in Virginia Circuit Court, claims Harris was exposed to vaporized engine oils, leading to severe health issues.

During a flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles, Harris reported a "dirty sock-like" odor filling the cabin of the Boeing 737 shortly after landing. The smell intensified as the aircraft remained on the tarmac for 45 minutes. Harris experienced difficulty breathing and vomiting, with several other passengers also reportedly falling ill. Upon disembarking, he felt confused, had a throbbing head, and struggled to form sentences. Hospital tests the next morning allegedly showed low oxygen, high bicarbonate, and near upper-limit carbon monoxide levels in his blood.

The alleged toxic fume exposure has resulted in Harris experiencing respiratory injuries, cognitive defects, tremors, memory loss, and issues with balance and motor skills. He claims the injuries have impacted his ability to lecture and forced him to teach while seated, also leading to a broken ankle from severe balance loss. Harris now avoids flying and carries a gas mask when he must travel by air. This lawsuit follows a Wall Street Journal investigation revealing thousands of flights plagued by similar toxic fume incidents, causing brain injuries akin to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in passengers and crew.

While numerous flight crew members have filed similar lawsuits against Boeing, Harris's case is notable as he is reportedly the first commercial passenger to be the lead plaintiff in such an action. The Daily Mail has sought comments from Boeing, Delta, and Harris's attorneys regarding the ongoing litigation.