HOUSTON – Two United flight attendants are suing The Boeing Co. on claims a malfunctioning smoke/fire detection system on their aircraft caused them to suffer permanent hearing loss.
Lee Marvin Sanders and Matthew Sodrok brought the suit against the Chicago-based multinational corporation on Nov. 8 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas.
The plaintiffs recall working aboard United Flight 1975, a Boeing 737, from Denver to Houston on Jan. 8, 2017 when “an ear-splitting ringing filled the aircraft.”
“Despite no fire or smoke present in the aircraft, the rear lavatory fire and/or smoke detection device sounded,” the original petition says. “The alarm was louder than necessary to alert the entire aircraft and could be heard loudly and clearly in the front of the cabin. The fire and/or smoke detection device sounded despite the absence of proper stimuli, such as fire or smoke.”
Boeing is accused of negligently designing, manufacturing, distributing, and selling the system and failing to provide adequate protection and detection for users of the product.
Consequently, the complainants seek unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
They are represented by Joshua P. Davis of the Davis Law Group in Houston.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas Case No. 4:18-CV-4248