Originally Posted by spin88

American has not "looser pays" rule absent a few cases which will not apply to this case. So fees are not at issue, at most a few $$$ in costs. But punative damages are likely capped at 10x compensatory damages, and I can't see expecting to get more than $1-1.5M in compensatory damages, so the case has a value, likely $15M max.

My guess is that Dao ends up at around $10M gross. I think the risks to UAL presented by discovery as to "other similar incidents" as well as depositions of key policy makers such as Oscar will cause United to settle quickly, before they happen.

p.s. and I expect United to pay 100% of the settlement. Chicago will not roll-over easily, and the last thing United wants to do is have airport security feel that United can't be trusted. If the word gets out that United is trying to put liability onto the police, they will find the police and airports must less cooperative. Paying any liability of Chicago is just good business.