Flight attendant’s breast cancer was occupational disease, court rules
Summary
A French court recognized breast cancer suffered by a flight attendant as an occupational disease, the first such case in France’s aviation sector. The ruling linked her cancer to night work, passive smoking, and radiation exposure during her time at Air France.Key Facts
- Sophie Lainault worked as a flight attendant and purser at Air France from 1989 to 2019.
- She logged more than 12,600 flight hours, over 6,500 of which were at night.
- The court recognized her breast cancer as caused by her work conditions, including night shifts, exposure to passive smoking, and ionizing radiation.
- Smoking was allowed on Air France flights until the year 2000.
- Breast cancer is not officially listed as an occupational disease in France, making claims difficult.
- Two previous regional committees had rejected linking her cancer to work exposure.
- The decision sets a legal precedent and no appeal has been filed.
- A similar case in 2023 involved a French nurse whose breast cancer was recognized as work-related due to night shifts and radiation.
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