A jury in California ruled that a clothing company should pay more than $1 million to four American Airlines flight attendants who blamed chemicals used in the production of their uniforms for causing a variety of ailments including rashes, headaches and breathing problems. The verdict last week could be just the tip of the iceberg: Lawyers say they represent more than 400 other flight attendants who are making the same claims against the uniform maker.
“It's been a long road, but we're very happy with the outcome,” said Daniel Balaban, one of the lawyers for the airline employees. “We couldn't represent better clients — who doesn't love a flight attendant?” Balaban said that other cases could go to trial if Twin Hill declines to settle them. Twin Hill could ask the judge to reduce the jury award and could appeal the verdict. A lawyer for the company, Robert V. Good Jr., declined to comment when reached by phone.