Professional Documents
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Anne Dowling vs. United Airlines
Anne Dowling vs. United Airlines
Plaintiff,
v.
Defendants.
COMES NOW the Plaintiff, Anne Dowling, by and through undersigned counsel, and for
her causes of action and claims for relief against the Defendants, states and alleges as follows:
I. INTRODUCTION
1. Plaintiff Anne Dowling (“Dowling”) brings this action pursuant to the common-law of
the State of Colorado and The Montreal Convention, June 23, 2000, S. Treaty Doc. No. 106–45,
2242 U.N.T.S. 309, seeking redress for damages in excess of $75,000 USD as a result of
II. PARTIES
2. Dowling is and has been a citizen of the State of Colorado during the time material to this
Complaint.
3. Upon information and belief, Defendant Monte Wedl (“Wedl”) is a citizen of the State of
Tennessee and resided in Hong Kong during the time material to this Complaint.
4. Defendant United Airlines, Inc. (“United”) is a citizen of the State of Delaware and the
State of Illinois because it is incorporated in Delaware with its principal place of business in
Illinois.
5. United was licensed to conduct business and indeed was conducting business in the State
of Colorado during the time material to this Complaint. Such business included, but may not
have been limited to, providing passenger airline flights between Denver, Colorado and twenty-
three (23) separate destinations within the United States, including San Francisco, California.
6. At all times material to this Complaint, United maintained a registered agent for service
7. All of the allegations contained in the preceding paragraphs of this Complaint are
8. The Court may properly maintain jurisdiction over United because: (1) United conducts
substantial business in the State of Colorado and Dowling’s claims arise from such business,
Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-1-124(1)(a); (2) Dowling’s claims arise from United’s commission of
a tortious act within the State of Colorado, Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-1-124(1)(b); and (3)
United’s contacts with the State of Colorado and this Court are sufficient to support an exercise
of jurisdiction that comports with traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice.
9. The Court may properly maintain jurisdiction over Wedl because Dowling’s claims arise
from Wedl’s commission of a tortious act within the State of Colorado. Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann.
§ 13-1-124(1)(b).
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10. The Court has original subject-matter jurisdiction over all claims asserted herein because
the amount in controversy, exclusive of interest and costs, exceeds $75,000 and the suit is
11. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331, the Court has original subject-matter jurisdiction over
12. Venue is proper in the United States District Court, District of Colorado because under
28 U.S.C. § 1391(c)(2), United resides in the judicial district, and a substantial part of the events
or omissions giving rise to Dowling’s claims occurred in the judicial district. 28 U.S.C. § 1391.
13. All of the allegations contained in the preceding paragraphs of this Complaint are
14. On July 6, 2016, Dowling’s employer purchased her a ticket from Hong Kong to San
Francisco aboard United’s airliners. Her expected arrival in San Francisco was July 9, 2016, at
9:15 a.m.
15. On July 7, 2016, Dowling purchased a ticket from United for travel aboard their airliner
from San Francisco to Denver using a Visa credit card with a Denver, Colorado billing address.
Her expected departure from San Francisco was July 9, 2016, at 10:55 a.m.
16. In other words, Dowling was to fly United from Hong Kong to Denver via San Francisco.
17. As Dowling was boarding the flight from Hong Kong to San Francisco, United upgraded
her from economy class to business class. United assigned Dowling to seat 8D, which was the
18. United seated Monte Wedl in seat 8C: the seat between Dowling and the aisle.
19. Several hours after takeoff, United dimmed the lights in the cabin to facilitate its
passengers’ sleep.
20. After the lights were dimmed, Dowling reclined her seat and fell asleep.
21. United employees served Wedl at least three to four vodka sodas, which he consumed
22. Wedl got out of his seat and approached United’s flight attendant, Eva Yu (“Yu”), and
told her that he had been away from home for two months, he missed his wife, and he is horny.
23. Dowling awoke to find Wedl’s hand on the back of her leg near her buttock. She
24. Dowling awoke a second time to Wedl’s hand rubbing her thigh, grabbing her butt, and
attempting to reach into her pants. She cried “stop” and he withdrew his hand from her body.
She asked him what he was doing, and he creepily smiled at her in response. Dowling again
25. Dowling awoke a third time to Wedl’s hand running up her thigh. Wedl forced his hand
between Dowling’s body and her own hand. He then firmly began rubbing her vagina through
her clothes. At the same time, Wedl was rapidly masturbating underneath his blanket. Dowling
shot out of her seat in shock when she realized what was happening and told Wedl to stop.
26. Dowling was gathering her belongings in anticipation of moving seats when Wedl said
something to the effect of “I think you’re horny and I’m horny too.”
27. Dowling got out of her seat, approached a United flight attendant, and asked to move
seats because of the assault. The flight attendant told Dowling there were no open seats on the
plane. Dowling persisted in her request, and the flight attendant suggested that Dowling go talk
to Wedl. Dowling declined to speak with the man who had just sexually assaulted her.
28. Frustrated with the flight attendant’s response, Dowling spoke with a United purser.
After Dowling described what happened, the purser said something to the effect of “this is not
okay, but I’m not shocked.” The purser eventually allowed Dowling to move to seat 8G for the
29. The Hong Kong to San Francisco flight landed sometime in the morning of July 9, 2016.
In a thinly veiled attempt to minimize, disregard, and ignore the assault, Wedl continued his
torment of Dowling by approaching her as she was leaving the plane and asked her why she
moved seats. Dowling stated it was obviously because he had sexually assaulted her.
30. Dowling boarded her United flight to Denver shortly after arriving in San Francisco. She
31. On July 10, 2016, Dowling reported the assault to United, the San Francisco Police
32. On December 5, 2016, a criminal complaint was filed in the United States District Court
for the Northern District of California against Wedl for the assault.
V. CAUSES OF ACTION
34. All of the allegations contained in the preceding paragraphs of this Complaint are
35. At the time of this incident, United was engaged in international carriage as defined in
Article 1 of the Montreal Convention, and the Montreal Convention is therefore applicable to
36. Pursuant to Articles 17 and 21 of the Montreal Convention and 2010 inflation
adjustments, United is strictly liable for damage sustained in an “accident” causing bodily injury
to a passenger on board the aircraft up to 113,100 Special Drawing Rights. United is also liable
for damages beyond 113,100 Special Drawing Rights unless United proves that (a) such damage
was not due to the negligence or other wrongful act or omission of the carrier or its servants or
agents; or (b) such damage was solely due to the negligence or other wrongful act or omission of
a third party.
37. As a result of the series of sexually motivated assaults Dowling suffered aboard United’s
airliner on or about July 9, 2016, and their aftermath, Dowling suffered physical pain and
enjoyment of life, loss of past and future income, loss of past and future medical expenses, and
38. United and/or its employees acted negligently, acted wrongfully, and wrongfully omitted
actions in a manner that directly and proximately caused and/or contributed to Dowling’s
a. United employees served Wedl excessive alcohol prior to the sexual assaults
perpetrated on Dowling.
b. United employees, in a position of authority over the passengers during the flight
position of authority over the passengers during the flight, attempted to make
Dowling return to and sit in the seat next to Wedl shortly after he had committed a
position of authority over the passengers during the flight, attempted to make
Dowling go and speak with Wedl shortly after he had committed a series of
position of authority over the passengers during the flight, failed to prevent Wedl
from continuing his torment of Dowling when he approached her and spoke to her
g. United failed to adequately train personnel and/or failed to adopt and/or failed to
39. As a direct and proximate result of the incident described herein, and the negligent and
tortious actions of United and/or its employees, Dowling has suffered injuries and damages as
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40. All of the allegations contained in the preceding paragraphs of this Complaint are
41. As a common carrier, United and/or its employees owed its passengers, including
Dowling, the duty to exercise the highest degree of care. Such duty included, but was not limited
to, preventing and protecting Dowling from sexual assaults committed by other passengers.
42. United and/or its employees breached such duty to Dowling by, inter alia, the actions and
43. As a direct and proximate result of the breach of the duty United and/or its employees
owed to Dowling, Dowling has suffered injuries and damages as are described below.
44. All of the allegations contained in the preceding paragraphs of this Complaint are
45. Wedl intended to cause harm or offensive contact with Dowling or to cause Dowling
46. Wedl had the present ability or unmistakable appearance of the present ability to cause
Dowling harm.
contact.
48. Dowling did not consent to the harm and offensive contact or threat thereof.
49. As a direct and proximate result of the assault, Dowling has suffered injuries and
50. All of the allegations contained in the preceding paragraphs of this Complaint are
51. Wedl intended to cause harm and offensive contact with Dowling or to cause Dowling
53. Dowling did not consent to the harm and offensive contact.
54. As a direct and proximate result of the battery, Dowling has suffered injuries and
55. All of the allegations contained in the preceding paragraphs of this Complaint are
57. Wedl intended to cause Dowling emotional distress or acted with reckless disregard of
59. As a direct and proximate result of the conduct, Dowling has suffered injuries and
60. All of the allegations contained in the preceding paragraphs of this Complaint are
61. Wedl owed Dowling the duty to act as a reasonably careful person would act under the
circumstances.
62. Wedl breached such duty to Dowling by, inter alia, repeatedly and inappropriately
touching her.
63. As a direct and proximate result of the breach of the duty Wedl owed to Dowling,
64. All of the allegations contained in the preceding paragraphs of this Complaint are
65. Wedl’s conduct was willful or wonton, i.e. his conduct created an unreasonable risk of
harm to Dowling and the risk was so great that it was highly probable that harm would result.
66. Wedl’s negligent acts were done with utter lack of concern for the safety of Dowling.
67. As a direct and proximate result Wedl’s willful or wonton conduct, Dowling has suffered
Punitive Damages
Against Wedl
68. All of the allegations contained in the preceding paragraphs of this Complaint are
69. Wedl’s conduct was intentional, willful and wonton, and reckless.
70. Wedl acted in reckless disregard of the consequences for his wrongful acts, and under
such circumstances and conditions that a reasonable person would know, or have reason to
know, that such conduct would, in a high degree of probability, result in substantial harm to
Dowling.
71. Wedl’s conduct involved elements of outrage, similar to that usually found in crime.
VI. DAMAGES
72. All of the allegations contained in the preceding paragraphs of this Complaint are
73. As a direct and proximate result of the incident described herein, and the negligent and
tortious actions of Wedl and United and/or its employees, Dowling has suffered in the past,
continues to suffer presently, and will suffer in the future, damages which include, but are not
limited to: physical pain and suffering; shock; emotional distress; embarrassment; mortification;
anxiety; anguish; depression; loss of enjoyment of life; loss of income; expense of medical care,
including counseling, and other medical special damages; and further injuries and damages as
74. As a direct and proximate result of the incident described herein, Dowling was diagnosed
with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Colorado, which causes her sleeplessness, nightmares,
irritability, anxiety, and apathy, all of which have primarily occurred in Colorado.
75. As a direct and proximate result of the incident described herein, Dowling has been
76. WHEREFORE, Dowling prays for judgment against United, in amounts to be proven at
a. For Dowling’s general damages for physical pain and suffering, shock, emotional
life.
b. For all past, present, and future special damages, including, but not limited to, all
medical and counseling expenses, lost earnings and earning capacity, and all other
recoverable special damages as may result from the injuries to Dowling alleged in
this Complaint.
c. For all other general and special damages recoverable under Colorado State law,
f. For other and further relief as the Court may deem just and equitable.
s/ Robert Stepans
Robert Stepans
Meyer, Shaffer & Stepans, PLLP
3490 Clubhouse Drive, Suite 104
Wilson, WY 83014
Telephone: (307) 734-9544
E-mail: [email protected]
Attorney for Plaintiff