French flight attendant's breast cancer is recognised as occupational disease
The ruling cites night work, ionising radiation and passive smoking, and it could open the door to similar claims from flight crew.
- In early July, a court in Bayonne, France, recognized the occupational origin of Lainault's cancer, marking the first such ruling for an air hostess and a significant legal development as breast cancer is not on France's official list of occupational diseases.
- Lainault accumulated more than 12,600 flight hours, including over 6,500 at night, during her Air France career between 1989 and 2019. The court identified night work, radiation exposure, and passive smoking as contributing factors.
- After fighting for two and a half years with support from CFDT activists, Lainault secured the decision. The court noted the absence of any genetic or lifestyle-related factors that could explain her diagnosis.
- Lainault's lawyer, Elisabeth Leroux, said the decision sets a legal precedent. Air France said it "was not a party to the proceedings," while Lainault stated, "It is truly my dearest wish that this opens the way for other women."
- Breast cancer is the deadliest cancer among women in France, with nearly 13,000 deaths each year. This follows a 2023 case where a French nurse with 28 years of night shifts successfully had her cancer recognized as an occupational disease.
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Rome, 27 Aug. (Adnkronos Salute/Afp) - Breast cancer as a professional disease. In France, a flight attendant won a case that opened an unprecedented line in the aviation sector. The judgment acknowledged that Sophie Lainault, former flight attendant of Air France, "he worked frequently at night, was exposed to passive smoke and exposure to ionizing radiation from high altitude flights." These three factors - according to the judgment - had a co…
She's 59 years old Sophie Lainault, and a breast cancer now fortunately in remission. But with nearly 13,000 deaths a year, this is the deadliest cancer among women...
A former Air France stewardess has achieved recognition of her breast cancer as an occupational disease – a novelty in French air transport. The court referred to night shifts and passive smoking.
The flight attendant was exposed to ionizing radiation and passive smoking over decades, AFP reports.
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