CALIFORNIA- Five flight attendants from American Airlines (AA) have been awarded $18.6 million by a California jury over severe health issues allegedly caused by toxic uniforms.
The lawsuit, centered on garments provided by Twin Hill, stems from American’s 2016 uniform rollout, which affected staff at key hubs, including Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Los Angeles (LAX).
Photo: American AirlinesAmerican Airlines Attendants Get $18M
The jury decision followed a years-long legal battle in the Alameda Superior Court. The plaintiffs, representing a broader group of over 400 affected employees, claimed that American Airlines (AA) and Twin Hill failed to ensure the safety of new uniforms issued in September 2016.
These uniforms allegedly caused severe health problems, including skin rashes, respiratory issues, and neurological symptoms.
The five flight attendants served as a bellwether group—a test case to assess the merits of similar lawsuits pending nationwide.
According to the court, Twin Hill was negligent both in manufacturing and the failing to recall the garments after numerous safety complaints emerged.
The jury concluded the uniforms did not perform as a reasonable consumer would expect, and this failure was a substantial factor in the plaintiffs’ suffering.
Among the five plaintiffs, Virginia Hardy received the highest individual payout—more than $3.9 million—including damages for lost wages, medical costs, and pain and suffering.
The total award of $18.6 million places 90% of the liability on Twin Hill, with American Airlines responsible for the remaining 10%, PYOK reported.
Despite this result in California, not all legal efforts have found success. Just weeks earlier, a court in Illinois ruled in favor of American Airlines and Twin Hill, stating that there wasn’t enough admissible scientific evidence to prove the uniforms caused the health complaints. That judgment severely limits further toxic uniform claims within Illinois.
Representative Photo: American AirlinesUniform Controversy Timeline and Allegations
The issue dates back to 2015, when American Airlines began preparing to roll out new uniforms for over 65,000 employees.
Early wear tests flagged possible reactions, but independent lab results failed to confirm the presence of harmful substances. A second test in late 2015 noted chemical odors, but still didn’t establish toxic exposure.
Nevertheless, once the uniforms launched in September 2016, a wave of complaints poured in from crew members across major airports, including New York (JFK), Miami (MIA), and Charlotte (CLT). Internal hotlines and union-led surveys documented hundreds of cases involving rashes, respiratory distress, and other health problems.
Subsequent independent testing revealed the presence of formaldehyde and at least 15 other chemicals linked to dermatological and respiratory ailments.
Though American Airlines allowed the use of alternative clothing by 2017, some crew members claimed they were still affected by residual chemical exposure from colleagues wearing the uniforms.
Ultimately, American Airlines severed its relationship with Twin Hill and chose Lands’ End as its new supplier. The airline has consistently denied any wrongdoing and maintains that the uniform issues were not linked to a design or manufacturing fault.
Photo: American Airlines (Representative Photo)Implications for Future Litigation
While the California verdict marks a major win for affected flight attendants, its broader impact is uncertain. The diverging court outcomes in California and Illinois suggest a fragmented legal landscape.
However, the bellwether result could influence future proceedings if additional plaintiffs choose to pursue damages in jurisdictions more favorable to their claims.
More than 400 flight attendants nationwide are still awaiting resolution, and this ruling may set a precedent for evaluating similar toxic exposure claims within the airline industry.
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