MEDIA RELEASE: July XX 2002

 

ANSETT CLAIM SETTLED

 

An Ansett flight attendant who claimed her career was ended by fumes on BAel46 aircraft has reached a settlement with the airline's insurers for an undisclosed sum,

Judy Cullinane began legal action against Ansett in the District Court of WA in October 1998 after a series of incidents left her unable to work. She had worked with Ansett since May 1988.

Her writ alleged that the air conditioning system on the BAel46 was improperly sealed allowing vapours from oil and hydraulic fluids to enter the cabin of the aircraft.

Mrs Cullinane became seriously ill while working a three dayshift in November 1997. Ear1y the following year on another flight, her condition became worse to the extent that she required oxygen.

Mrs Cullinane initially suffered  including headaches, nausea, shaking, incoherence anti difficulty in breathing. Her long‑term problems include intermittent difficulty in breathing, waves of nausea, chemical sensitivity, hair loss, dermatitis, poor concentration, lethargy, disorientation and impaired memory.

She has been unable to return to work after the latter incident  and is unlikely to work in the industry again.

Her claim included a significant component for loss of earnings

Mrs Cullinane has welcomed the settlement,

I am thrilled that the matter is now resolved after five very hard years." she said. With limited finances, I would not have been able to run this Case, but for Slater & Gordon’s No Win, No Fee system.

“I am also pleased that we don't need to go to Court and now I can get on with my life,"

Solicitor Hayden Stephens from law firm Slater & Gordon says Mrs Cuffinane showed courage in taking on her employer, a large corporation, over the issue of her exposure to fumes.

Recent public debate has led to some in the community calling for changes to the law to limit Injured people's access to justice.

"Judy Cullinane is typical of the clients we see ‑ a woman Who has suffered severe injuries and a dramatic change in her life due to sorneone else's failure to provide a safe working environment.

"Fortunately Mrs Cullinane will be properly compensated for lost income and medical expenses for injuries she suffered through no fault of her own

For more information:

Hayden Stephens, Slater & Gordon  (08) 9223 4800