REGARDING a wrongful death complaint against an airline company, Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the District Court for the NMI has granted the stipulation of the parties to stay the proceedings and take the matter off calendar.
In her order, the judge also vacated the deadlines and hearings in the lawsuit against Jeju Airlines.
She granted the request based on a sealed letter tendered to the court.
The judge ordered the parties to file a joint status report no later than Nov. 30, 2023.
She also scheduled a status conference for Dec. 7, 2023, at 9 a.m.
The federal court previously scheduled a trial for May 29, 2024.
Background
Tae Hyang Bang, a citizen of South Korea and a permanent resident of the U.S. domiciled on Saipan, through a personal representative — her only child, plaintiff Mari Chung Cepeda — sued Jeju Airlines in May 2021 for 1) wrongful death, 2) intentional infliction of emotional distress, and (3) negligent infliction of emotional distress in Superior Court.
The plaintiff is represented by attorneys Bruce Berline and Aaron Halegua.
Jeju Airlines, represented by the law firm of Banes Horey Berman & Miller, moved the lawsuit to the District Court for the NMI in June 2021 because of diversity and the amount of controversy, which exceeds $75,000.
Attorney David Banes has asked the court to dismiss the complaint in its entirety or, alternatively, a judgment limiting the defendant’s liability.
Banes said the alleged damages of which the plaintiff complains were not proximately caused by any conduct on the part of Jeju or any person or entity for whom Jeju is responsible.
The plaintiff sued the defendant for refusing to allow her 62-year-old mother, Tae Hyang Bang, to board a Jeju Air flight on Jan. 15, 2021, so she could be transported to South Korea and receive treatment for her serious heart condition. She later passed away.
