Less than two days after Delta Air Lines offered $30,000 to each passenger on board the flight that crashed and overturned in Toronto, the company is now facing legal challenges. Two lawsuits have already been filed, and more could follow.

Delta’s $2.3 Million Offer and First Lawsuits

Delta, through its subsidiary Endeavor Air, operated the CRJ-900 aircraft with 76 passengers on board. If all passengers accept the airline’s offer, the company would be paying approximately $2.3 million in total. However, a Texas man believes he deserves more and has taken legal action.

In his lawsuit, the passenger claims he suffered “severe emotional distress and mental anguish” after being “suspended upside down” and “drenched with jet fuel.” Additionally, he alleges he sustained “significant injuries to his head, neck, back, knees, and face.”

A second lawsuit, filed on behalf of a woman from Minneapolis, states she is experiencing “extreme bodily and mental injuries.” The suit also accuses the flight crew of failing to follow “the most fundamental procedures for a landing approach” at the airport.

Legal Implications Under the Montreal Convention

More lawsuits could emerge under the Montreal Convention, an international treaty regulating airline liability for passenger injuries, baggage damage, and cargo loss. Under this treaty, injured passengers on international flights may be eligible for compensation up to $200,000—potentially more if airline negligence is proven. Passengers have up to two years to file claims.

Injuries and Recovery Updates

The crash, which involved a flight originating from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, led to the hospitalization of 21 people. However, on Thursday, Delta CEO Ed Bastian confirmed that all injured passengers have since been released from medical care.

Delta’s Response and Pilot Certifications

Delta has assured passengers that the $30,000 compensation offer “has no strings attached and does not affect rights.” Additionally, the airline has addressed false rumors circulating online regarding the pilots’ training records. The company clarified that both the captain and first officer are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The captain has extensive experience in pilot training and flight safety, while the first officer, hired last year by Endeavor, holds the highest-level pilot certification in the U.S.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA, are collaborating with their Canadian counterparts to determine the cause of the crash. Delta has declined to comment on the pending lawsuits while investigations continue.

Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops.