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A Louisville doctor and professional poker player embroiled in a public relations nightmare has worked out a settlement agreement with the airline that left him bloodied and humiliated.
Dr. David Dao, the 2nd place finisher in a 2009 WSOP Circuit event that yielded a cashout of $ 117,744, will walk away with far more than that after settling with United Airlines, though the exact terms remain confidential.
Dao was physically removed from his flight earlier in this month after United overbooked and randomly selected the doctor via a computer algorithm. Dao refused to get off the flight. Police were called on board and yanked him from his seat than dragged the doctor down the aisle. He was left bloodied, disoriented and with a broken nose.
The airline released a written statement in response to the announcement, which reads in part: "We are pleased to report that United and Dr. Dao have reached an amicable resolution of the unfortunate incident that occurred aboard flight 3411. We look forward to implementing the improvements we have announced, which will put our customers at the center of everything we do."
Dao attorney Thomas Demetrio praised United CEO Oscar Munoz for agreeing to the settlement.
"Mr. Munoz said he was going to do the right thing, and he has. In addition, United has taken full responsibility for what happened on Flight 3411, without attempting to blame others, including the City of Chicago. For this acceptance of corporate accountability, United is to be applauded," Demetrio said.
- Ace King, Gambling911.com
