A Southwest passenger allegedly attacked by a drunk flier earlier than a flight at LaGuardia Airport is suing the airline, claiming the funds service’s “free-for-all seating coverage” led to the viral assault.
Livia Rombola was aboard Southwest flight 779 sure for Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, when she was the goal of a profane, violent assault by 32-year-old Leanna Perry, in response to a lawsuit towards the airline and Perry filed in New York State Supreme Courtroom in Brooklyn on Aug. 25.
The assault, caught on digicam and shared on-line, captured the NYC artist grabbing a lady’s hair and calling her a “fats ass bitch.”
The crazed girl, who was slurring her phrases, was detained by a number of passengers and flight attendants, zip-tied, positioned on a gurney and faraway from the airplane.
Rombola claims she “sustained severe, extreme and painful private accidents” from the assault, “a few of that are everlasting and lasting of their nature,” adopted by “excessive embarrassment and mock” after the video went viral, in response to the lawsuit obtained by The Publish.
The Kansas native filed go well with claiming Southwest’s insurance policies and actions led to Perry’s violent assault.
“Southwest, maintained and carried out a company coverage of unassigned seating, permitting passengers to freely select their very own seats on a first-come, first-served foundation throughout boarding,” the go well with mentioned.
Rombola claimed the coverage, was a “clear departure” from trade requirements, serving the corporate’s monetary and logistical pursuits, whereas “exposing passengers to the pointless situation of battle arising from the act of self seat choice.”
The go well with alleges Southwest’s “lack of proactive seat project immediately contributed to the confrontation.”
The present coverage sections passengers by boarding teams however permits fliers to sit down in any seat aboard the flight.
The airline introduced in July that it was ending the controversial “choose any seat” coverage, efficient with flights on Jan. 26, 2026.
Rombola claims the airline “did not well timed intervene and deny entry” to Perry, who was “visibly impaired and intoxicated.”
Southwest did not “shield [Rombola] from foreseeable hurt” whereas violating FAA regulation permitting the intoxicated Perry to board the airplane, the grievance added.
Perry is accused of deliberately attacking Rombola in fast bodily contact and battery, leading to her sufferer to maintain bodily damage in addition to emotional misery and psychological trauma.
Rombola additionally claimed the repeated publicity of the viral video induced her to be re-traumatized and extend her restoration, invaded her privateness, induced involuntary publicity, reputational hurt, skilled embarrassment, and social stigma.
Rombola is looking for an undefined quantity that “exceeds jurisdictional limits of all different courts in New York State.”
“The plaintiff has a robust case towards Southwest, particularly with respect to their uncommon free-for-all seating coverage, which was a considerable consider the reason for the incident,” Rombola’s lawyer, Joel J. Turney, informed The Unbiased.
Perry was charged with resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, disorderly conduct, three counts of harassment and three counts of tried assault.
She pleaded not responsible in a court docket look and was launched. She is predicted to look again in court docket on Sept. 3.
The Publish has reached out to Southwest Airways for remark.
