COLUMBIA, S.C. — The family of a Connecticut woman who died after being struck by lightning at a South Carolina airport is suing over her death.
Media outlets report Wednesday that relatives of Sonya Dockett filed the lawsuit against the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, US Airways and American Airlines.
Dockett was struck by lightning June 27 and died six weeks later. Dockett and her family were flying from Hartford, Connecticut, to Charlotte but diverted to Columbia because of weather.
Court documents say passengers were forced to get off the plane during a rainstorm and after severe thunderstorm warnings were issued. The lawsuit filed by Columbia attorney Ken Suggs says the airport and airline personnel are responsible for Dockett’s death. The suit seeks a jury trial and unspecified damages.
The defendants have not yet responded.
