French Court Recognises Air France Stewardess's Breast Cancer as Occupational Disease
A French court has formally recognised the breast cancer of former Air France stewardess Sophie Lainault as an occupational disease, a ruling that could open the door for similar claims from aviation workers exposed to cosmic radiation.
Ms Lainault, who served as a flight attendant for 22 years, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019. Her case argued that her illness was directly linked to ionising cosmic radiation encountered during thousands of hours spent at high altitudes.
This landmark decision by the Social Security Affairs Court in Lons-le-Saunier compels France's national health insurance fund, CPAM, to cover all treatment costs and provide monthly compensation to Ms Lainault. The ruling cited a European study from 2000, which highlighted a statistically significant increase in breast cancer risk among flight attendants.
Ms Lainault's legal representation emphasised that this judgment marks a critical precedent for other aviation professionals, particularly women, who may face elevated health risks due to their working environment. The aviation industry has long been aware of cosmic radiation exposure, with regulations in some countries, including the UK, requiring monitoring for flight crew. This French court's decision, however, provides a new legal avenue for individual compensation.
