Airlines
Ex-flight attendant claims Delta Airlines uniform gave her cancer
One former flight attendant says in a new federal lawsuit that Delta Airlines’ allegedly “toxic” uniforms contributed to her developing cancer.
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Summer Owens, 43, claims that over the course of more than two years beginning in June 2018, the uniforms she was obliged to wear got her worse and sicker. According to a federal lawsuit filed in Brooklyn on Monday, her symptoms first included skin that was itchy, burning, and swollen, as well as a rash on her bottom, burning eyes, a runny nose, and shortness of breath.
The employee of JFK Airport Owens allegedly began experiencing symptoms over a year later, including “fluid-filled sores on her legs,” “severe weariness,” “numbness in her fingers and toes,” night sweats, fever, migraines, swelling, and difficulties sleeping.
Nevertheless, since the airline introduced new uniforms, flight attendants have been experiencing health problems. And airlines have claimed that their uniforms are secure for years.
The identification and total amount of chemicals found in flight attendants‘ uniforms, as well as the source of their symptoms, are all now being researched by various parties. Employees are probably going to continue to have symptoms until the cause is found or until airlines start paying attention to their complaints and acting fast. And since they have historically had to do so to have their employers change policy, flight attendants are likely to continue filing lawsuits.
A representative for Delta stated, “Although we have not yet received any notice of any legal lawsuit, Delta has taken and continues to take substantial procedures to guarantee employee uniforms are constructed from high-quality material and have been tested to ensure they are safe for our employees to wear. Additionally, Delta offers its employees a very generous leave policy, healthcare benefits, and other services for their well-being.
The “optional” apron from the outfit was removed by the airline in 2020, according to a Delta spokesperson, but the rest of the attire complied with regulations.
