A group lawsuit against Icelandair on behalf of cabin crew members of the company is currently in preparation, RÚV reports. The crew members involved assert they have suffered health issues due to low air quality on board Icelandair flights. Certain crew members even sought medical assistance for symptoms they experienced following flights with the company.
Headaches, fatigue, and discomfort
Last September, the entire cabin crew in an Icelandair flight from Edmonton, Canada, went to hospital due to discomfort, headaches, and fatigue following the journey. Jens Þórðarson, Icelandair’s director of flight operations, said that an obstruction in airflow on the airplane was the most likely explanation for the crew’s symptoms. Air filters on the plane were changed after they were found to be somewhat dirty. Jens confirmed that Icelandair did not recognise the symptoms as a result of a work accident. In August of last year, four flight attendants at the company fell ill and were unable to work for a long period. The Transportation Accident Investigation Board was reported to be investigating the case.
Now a group lawsuit is being a prepared against Icelandair on behalf of these cases. Lawyer Óðinn Elísson confirmed in a conversation with RÚV that the matter was being looked into on behalf of several clients. The matter is still at the data collection stage. Berglind Hafsteinsdóttir, chairperson of the Icelandic Cabin Crew Association stated she could not commend on issues pertaining to individual members.
Group lawsuits in Iceland
There are few group lawsuits in Iceland’s legal history. Though the legal procedure can be compared to class action lawsuits in the US or group litigation orders in the UK, regulations for such cases are more strict in Iceland. Such group lawsuits became possible following the amendment of legislation on civil lawsuits in 2010.
