Minnesota Workers Sue Saying Work Clothes Are Making Them Sick

Workers’ compensation and personal injury cases are arguably some of the most interesting and unique cases in any type of law, and a recent case that has some roots here in Minnesota is no different. According to a new class-action lawsuit, many airline workers are suing Lands’ End over the work-provided clothes they’ve worn, claiming they have made them sick.

The report suggests that as of November of 2019, more than 3,000 Delta flight attendants had formally reported adverse health effects attributed to their uniform. The new Delta uniforms were released back in May of 2018, but many flight attendants, ticket agents and gate operators said they began experiencing adverse health effects shortly after transitioning to the new attire. Employees filed complaints about health issues ranging from headaches to hives and severe breathing problems, and so many complaints were filed that Delta eventually streamlined its uniform-complaint process.

That was too little too late for many Delta employees. 536 employees including dozens from Minnesota filed a class action against the Dodgeville, Wis. company Lands’ End.

Delta said that a single chemical has not been identified as the reason why employees are getting sick, but considering how many chemicals, allergens and metals are used in textile production, it’s not that surprising that a single source can’t be isolated. The Association of Flight Attendants is asking Delta to provide pay and benefits for employees who have missed work or that have physician-diagnosed health ailments that could be tied to the uniforms. It’s uncertain if Delta is willing to move forward with these requests.

Compensation For Work Attire Injuries

Injuries related to the production of a person’s work uniform aren’t exactly common, but at a very basic level, it speaks to the connection between work-required duties and the onset of injuries or health conditions. We’ve talked about a similar case in the past when we explained how high heels actually helped shape workers’ compensation law here in Minnesota. Essentially, if your uniform or a required dress code played a part in your injury or illness, you have a rightful claim to injury compensation.

So if you work for Delta and have experienced health issues that you believe may be linked to your new uniform, or you work in a completely different industry but have reason to believe your attire contributed at least in part to your injuries, reach out to the experienced legal team at Margolis Law Office. If you were given a safety vest that didn’t provide the level of protection that it should, or you feel down the stairs at a corporate event because your heel broke, you may have a right to compensation. We can help prove the link between your attire and your health conditions, and we have medical experts and other industry professionals who can help strengthen your claim. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain, so pick up the phone and see how we can help. Give Dean and his team a call today at (952) 230-2700.