On the last day of 2019, a class action lawsuit was filed in a Wisconsin federal court against the clothing manufacturer, Lands’ End. The named plaintiffs are hundreds of Delta Airlines flight attendants who claim that uniforms unveiled in May 2018 have caused them adverse health effects and injuries. Andrews et al. v. Lands’ End, Case: 3:19-cv-01066 (W.D. Wis., Filed: 12/31/19). The required uniforms, created by fashion designer Zac Posen, are alleged to have caused employees to break out in skin rashes, suffer migraines, experience breathing difficulties, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue and other problems. The complaint advances seven causes of action—negligence, strict design defect, manufacturing defect, failure to warn, breaches of express and implied warranties, and violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

It also seeks injunctive relief seeking a recall of all Delta uniforms and to create a medical monitoring fund to help employees seeking diagnosis and treatment of the assorted health problems. The new lawsuit follows a similar class action filed earlier in a Wisconsin federal court on Oct. 3, 2019. Both lawsuits claim that the chemicals and finishes used to create high-stretch, wrinkle-and-stain-resistant, waterproof, anti-static and deodorizing garments for the uniforms led to the health problems. Testing of the employees’ uniforms allegedly found several heavy metals and chemicals present above safe levels, including mercury, formaldehyde, fluorine and chromium. S.K. Mesch, “Lands’ End sued by Delta Air Lines Employees Who Claim Uniforms Cause Health Problems,” Wis. State J., Jan. 4, 2020.