CHICAGO — A flight attendant with United Airlines has filed a lawsuit against Airbus, claiming that exposure to contaminated cabin air has led to serious health issues. Darlene Fricchione filed the suit following an incident aboard Flight UA2680 at Denver International Airport (DEN) on April 11, 2023. She contends that the aircraft’s design contributed to her exposure and resulting medical complications.
The lawsuit seeks $30 million in damages, citing Airbus’s negligence and their failure to warn about the potential risks associated with the airplane’s auxiliary power unit (APU). Fricchione’s complaint suggests that the A319 aircraft design may be prone to air quality issues, claiming that Airbus has long known about such dangers without implementing necessary safety changes.
The incident occurred shortly after Flight UA2680 arrived in Denver from LaGuardia Airport (LGA). As the aircraft was parked at the gate, the flight’s captain activated the APU to provide air conditioning. Almost immediately, Fricchione experienced symptoms, including gagging, choking, and burning sensations on her skin and eyes, which she described as being caused by noxious fumes.
In her legal filing, Fricchione recounts pouring water over herself and gargling to soothe her discomfort, remaining on the aircraft until all passengers had exited. Emergency responders assessed her and a colleague when they found elevated blood pressure and carbon monoxide levels in both individuals. Medical tests later revealed concerning results, including a “cloud” in her lungs, which led to oxygen therapy and additional treatment upon her return home.
Before the incident, Fricchione had been in good health. She has since developed persistent symptoms, including headaches and fainting spells, which medical specialists link to the exposure. The lawsuit details ongoing issues such as throat hypersensitivity and elevated blood pressure, which Fricchione attributes to the chemicals she inhaled.
Filed in a Virginia district court, the lawsuit alleges that Airbus’s design shortcomings present a pattern of air quality issues that occur more frequently than in other aircraft models. According to Fricchione’s legal team, the company had ample opportunity to implement preventive measures, such as improved air filtration or chemical detection systems.
Issues of contaminated cabin air are not isolated. Many flight attendants and passengers have reported “fume events,” which vary in symptom severity but can range from minor discomfort to serious health complications. While advocates of airline safety demand accountability for these toxic incidents, manufacturers often downplay such occurrences as simple odor problems.
Fricchione’s health continues to decline, prompting her to seek speech therapy for damage likened to chemical burns in her throat. Her lawsuit asserts that Airbus ignored existing knowledge about the risks of using the APU on the ground and did not take appropriate steps to enhance the aircraft’s air quality management.
Her case aims for $30 million in punitive damages, highlighting long-term repercussions on her physical, emotional, and professional well-being. Neither Airbus nor United Airlines has publicly commented on the pending litigation.
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