The lawyer for the man dragged off a United flight 'like a sack of potatoes' wants the company to pay (UAL)

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On Monday, Thomas Demetrio, the lawyer for Dr. David Dao, confirmed that his client planned to sue United Airlines as a result of the passenger's violent removal from a flight.

The veteran Chicago-based plaintiff's attorney told the "Today" show that his client was physically and emotionally hurt after being "dragged off of the plane like a sack of potatoes."

"(Dr. Dao) really is of the mindset that this is an example of why we need fairness, dignity, and being treated right," Demetrio said.

The lawyer added that a face-to-face apology from United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz would do little at this point and that a lawsuit was forthcoming.

On April 9, Dao was forcibly removed from United Airlines Flight 3411 by law-enforcement officers after refusing to give up his seat for airline employees who needed to operate a flight in Louisville, Kentucky, the next morning. Dao's attorney has said his client lost two teeth and suffered a concussion during his removal from the flight.

Since the incident, United Airlines has been the target of considerable public anger that was not helped by two poorly received statements from Munoz in the immediate aftermath of the incident. The CEO would later publicly apologize and take personal responsibility for the events that transpired on Flight 3411.

Below is Demetrio's complete interview.

NOW WATCH: UNITED PASSENGER ATTORNEY: Dao has a concussion, broken nose, and lost two front teeth