Flight attendant’s breast cancer was occupational disease, court rules

Sophie Lainault, who worked for Air France, wins legal case linking illness to more than 12,600 hours on flights

Flight attendant’s breast cancer was occupational disease, court rules

TL;DR

  • A flight attendant in France has had her breast cancer recognized as an occupational disease.
  • The court cited night work and exposure to passive smoking as contributing factors.
  • This ruling is the first of its kind in the French aviation industry.
  • The flight attendant worked over 12,600 flight hours, with more than 6,500 at night.
  • The decision could pave the way for similar claims from other aviation workers.
  • Breast cancer is not on France's official list of occupational diseases, making recognition difficult.