LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Nov. 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emerson Poynter LLP, with offices in Little Rock, Arkansas and Houston, Texas, announced today that it filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of Alaska Airlines flight attendants who have experienced numerous health problems as a result of wearing their uniform.
Last year, the airline issued new uniforms to its flight attendants. The new uniforms were manufactured by Twin Hill (a division of Men's Wearhouse: (NYSE:MW) ), and have been found to contain Disperse Orange 37/76, which is a dye that has been banned from use in apparel products, because Disperse Orange 37/76 is a known skin and respiratory irritant. Almost immediately after the new Twin Hill uniforms were issued to the flight attendants, they began to experience skin symptoms -- rash, hives, redness, or itching. A growing number of attendants are also reporting abnormal thyroid functions, hair loss, eye irritation/inflammation, fatigue, shortness of breath, congestion, coughing and asthma.
While the uniforms continue to be tested for other toxic substances, it is clear the new uniforms pose a substantial health threat to Alaska Airlines' flight attendants. In fact, more than 400 flight attendants have reported significant health issues while wearing the new uniforms to their union, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (or "AFA"). Even though affected attendants have been permitted to wear their old uniform or even civilian clothing, they are still experiencing the same health issues, because they work in obviously close quarters with other flight attendants wearing the new uniform containing Disperse Orange 37/76. For this reason, the class action complaint filed yesterday on behalf of Alaska Airline flight attendants in United States District Court, Central District of California, seeks to compel a total recall of the new uniforms. The AFA has also demanded a recall.
On November 9, 2012, the AFA issued a press release reporting the hundreds of complaints filed by Alaska Airlines' flight attendants about the new uniforms causing then to fall ill. In the press release, the AFA demanded a recall of the new Twin Hill uniforms and said: "For the safety and health of Alaska Flight Attendants, we are demanding that management work with us to immediately recall these hazardous uniforms and issue new pieces that are safe alternatives and not harmful to crewmembers and our families."
If you have experienced similar problems with your company uniform, and you believe it was also manufactured by Twin Hill, please consider contacting Emerson Poynter LLP. You may either contact Emerson Poynter LLP through the firm's website or call. Additionally, Emerson Poynter LLP has set up a website for flight attendants of any airline experiencing these or similar medical issues to contact the firm and seek representation. See, www.flightuniformlitigation.com.
Emerson Poynter LLP has a national and international class-action legal practice with offices in Little Rock, Arkansas and Houston, Texas. Emerson Poynter handles complex commercial, environmental and consumer protection litigation throughout the United States. It has substantial experience in litigating large complex class-action cases and serves in a leadership position in numerous cases.