By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-08-20 02:05:48 | Updated at 2026-08-20 02:21:37
21 minutes ago
Karen Gibbs, a retired US Navy lawyer and close friend of failed US presidential candidate Kamala Harris, is suing British Airways after allegedly being hit on the head by a cabin crew member.
The alleged strike took place on August 1, 2024, aboard BA flight 217 from Heathrow to Washington DC.
Ms Gibbs, who lives in Maryland, says she was sitting as an "innocent bystander" when a flight attendant intervened to manage a disruptive passenger in the row behind her.
During that intervention, the crew member delivered what the lawsuit describes as a "forceful blow" to the top of her head.
She says the impact left her with "head pain, blurred vision, dizziness, disorientation and distress" and that she asked for medical assistance straight away.
According to the claim, the cabin crew gave her an ice pack but did not seek on-board medical help for roughly 90 minutes.
No medical support was arranged by the airline upon landing, the lawsuit alleges.
Ms Gibbs says she was unable to make her way through Washington's airport without a wheelchair.
Ms Gibbs was delivered a 'forceful blow' to the top of her head from a cabin crew member, according to the lawsuit
LINKEDIN/KAREN GIBBS
Medical professionals then said her symptoms were consistent with concussion.
After submitting a written complaint to British Airways, she says the airline offered her a £50 goodwill payment.
The legal action, filed last month in a Virginia district court, details a range of ongoing health problems she attributes to the blow.
Court documents state that she has suffered "continuing migraines or headaches, vision disturbance, memory and concentration problems, cognitive fatigue, disorientation, balance problems and other post-concussive symptoms".
More than a year after the flight, Ms Gibbs says she was forced to leave her position as a senior federal attorney in the US civil service earlier than she had planned.
After submitting a written complaint to British Airways, Ms Gibbs says the carrier responded with a £50 goodwill payment
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She says her premature retirement came after "persistent cognitive fatigue" and difficulties with memory and concentration.
"Before the incident, Plaintiff [Gibbs] was active, independent, mentally sharp and capable of performing demanding legal work and extensive family, church, civic and travel responsibilities," the claim states.
"Family members, friends and medical professionals observed a marked decline after the incident."
Ms Gibbs is pursuing damages covering past and future medical costs, lost pay and employment benefits, mental anguish and "loss of enjoyment of life".
Her legal career spanned more than two decades in the US navy's JAG Corps, from which she retired at the rank of captain.
British Airways has not yet filed a response to the lawsuit
She subsequently served as senior counsel on the Department of Justice's organised crime drug enforcement task force.
Ms Gibbs and Harris first met as students at Howard University in Washington during the 1980s.
In an interview with PBS, Ms Gibbs said Ms Harris was the godmother to her children, and that they attended her inauguration as Vice President and would regularly visit her at the White House.
British Airways has not yet filed a response to the lawsuit.
The airline said in a statement: "As this matter is the subject of ongoing legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate for us to comment."
