Flight attendant's breast cancer recognised as occupational disease in France
UKPulse Local Desk
A former Air France flight attendant has had her breast cancer recognised as an occupational disease in France, a first for the country's aviation industry.
- Sophie Lainault's breast cancer was recognised as an occupational disease by a court in Bayonne, France.
- The ruling cited night work, exposure to ionising radiation, and passive smoking as contributing factors.
- Lainault worked for Air France for 30 years, accumulating over 12,600 flight hours, including more than 6,500 at night.
A court in Bayonne, France, has recognised the breast cancer of former Air France flight attendant Sophie Lainault as an occupational disease. This ruling marks a first for France's aviation industry, according to her lawyer and a trade union.
The court's decision highlighted the role of night work, exposure to ionising radiation, and passive smoking in Lainault's case. She worked for Air France between 1989 and 2019, accumulating over 12,600 flight hours, with more than 6,500 of those at night. Smoking was permitted on Air France flights until 2000.
Lainault, 59, expressed hope that her legal victory could assist other women. Her lawyer, Elisabeth Leroux, stated that the ruling is final and sets a legal precedent.
Why this matters: This ruling could potentially open the way for similar claims within France's aviation industry, as breast cancer is not currently on the country's official list of occupational diseases.