

I love seeing what people think they can get away with in lawsuits like this. “I was being perfectly reasonable, and taking a 30 minute poop in quiet bliss, when the Defendant STORMED down the plane and VIOLENTLY DEMANDED I exit the lavatory. I calmly and eloquently explained my gastrointestinal predicament before the Pilot SMASHED THE DOOR IN WITH HIS FACE AND YELLED RACIST REMARKS AT ME WHILE DRAGGING ME AND MY FRIEND DOWN THE AISLE BY THE HAIR.”

Likely there would be more evidence. Eye witness accounts of the two parties together around the time of the incident; photos taken before or after the assault; Hospital records; Police reports made that were not followed up at the time; Texts; Call logs; surveillance video. There is a lot of evidence that can support an accusation like this.
As to why it’s been so long, coming forward after events like this can be terrifying. People who have been assaulted can hold a lot of self-blame. They can feel alone in their trauma, and the chorus of “she was asking for it” and other bs would be a big deterrent from coming forward. Isolation and stigma are a big reason that powerful people have gotten away with being abusive monsters for so long. It’s also why multiple accusations seem to crop up at the same time. The claimants see others who have suffered like them and feel less isolated and more supported in their claims.