Big Lawsuit Over Perfume Worn In Office Going Forward, In Detroit.



Posted: Thursday, November 27, 2008

by Jeff Downing

11/26/2008 A Federal Judge has ruled that Susan McBride's lawsuit against the City of Detroit can go forward. The suit sites the Americans with Disabilities act as the legal foundation for the action. The case was filed almost a year and a half ago, alleging that a co-worker's use of perfume made her sick enough to require that she leave the office.

There is legal precedent to this case, a similar lawsuit against the Radio Station WYCD FM, resulted in an initial damage award of over 10 million dollars, later reduced to a little more than $800,000.

Susan worked in the city's planning department for over 7 years without complaint, after a worker transferred into her area, she complained about getting sick over the co-workers perfume and use of a plug-in air-freshener. The co-worker agreed to stop the use of the plug-in, but refused to stop wearing perfume.

McBride's lawsuit alleges that in addition to lost work, she has required medical treatment for her perfume caused illness and she has had to suspend fertility treatments because of medicines she is now required to take. She wants the City to be required to accommodate her sensitivity and to pay her for her damages.

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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)
» left by Avis Ward
 3 years 151 days ago.
131 fans.
Jeff, I relate to Susan. I must be careful with fragrances, too. I can become violently ill with a migraine-type headache, with breakouts and nausea. I avoid the fragrance counters in department stores. Clorox/bleach can give me a serious headache, too. I wish Susan well or the employee to show some compassion. It's sad it has resorted to legal action. People should just appreciate each other more and put themselves in another person's place more often, too.

Thanks! I hadn't heard about this! Hope you're having a happy day!
» left by Dianne Lehmann
 3 years 151 days ago.
136 fans.
Hi Jeff.
 
I'm in the same boat with Avis. There are some fragrances that not only give me a migraine, but cause my throat to close up and make it hard to breathe or I get to coughing so badly I can hardly stop. Not only do I avoid fragrance counters, I also stay out of the soap and detergent and air freshener isles.
 
Thank you for bringing this lawsuit to my attention.
 
Dianne
» left by Jim from New York 2 years 320 days ago.
I get severe headaches from any perfume, cologne and other fragrancies.
 
After 5 years of research,  if finally found what  is called ''MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY" OR 'MCS'.
   There is research done on this and millions of sufferers.  After years of tests, MRIs, CAT SCANS and dozens of different medicines and specialists, there is nothing that stops the pain from these headaches.  I have gotten so sick on a plane from a flight attendant on a trans-atlantic flight, I spent 5 hours in pain at the airport lounge in Paris and cancelled my tour to Egypt.  Flying on planes there is one of the most difficult situations.  I hope people will bring it up to airlines concerning how much perfume and cologne on planes is used by crews.  Its bad enough from other passengers.  The pain lasts for several days.  No all work places are helpful
I hope this law-suit goes through so people know the seriousness of MCS.
Another factor you will read is about 50% of the doctors do NOT believe this exists making treatment more difficult.  I read this several times.
Going to Human Resources at your work place and showing that MCS is a real issue and cases are landing in court, may help us at work.
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