The husband of one of the 11 September victims who died inside her World Trade Center office has sued American Airlines for more than $50m (�34.84m) in compensatory damages.

In addition, the suit includes a claim for unspecified punitive damages for the terror, pain and suffering, wrongful death and economic loss.

The case is believed to be the first brought on behalf of one of the victims who were inside the twin towers.

A spokesman from the airline said it does not comment on pending litigation.

Flaw

The plaintiffs lawyer, John Kelly, said that the victim had been a high earner with a substantial life insurance policy.

Consequently, her estate would have been exempt from payments from the Victims Compensation Fund, part of an airline assistance package approved by Congress soon after the catastrophe.

Mr Kelly said the case presented "a clear example of the fundamental flaw in the Victims Compensation Fund".

Negligence

The suit accuses American Airlines and the company contracted in to look after security at Logan Airport in Boston of reckless misconduct and negligence.

Among the allegations is one claiming that several hijackers who boarded an American Airline flight had managed to smuggle weapons through the security systems.

The suit argues that the security measures and passenger screening systems were insufficient to beat back the risk of terrorist activity.