A Southwest Airlines flight attendant, Lisa Patterson, is suing the airline for disability discrimination after claiming it failed to accommodate her severe allergy to pet dander.

▶ LISTEN TO ORLANDO’S MORNING NEWS EXPRESS PODCAST ON WDBO

Patterson, who has worked for the airline for over 25 years, alleges that her condition worsened after the airline began allowing pets in the cabin in 2018.

Despite her requests for accommodations, warning a company higher-up that exposure to pets would lead to a “severe illness,” the airline reportedly did not provide suitable options, forcing her to work on flights with pets.

The suit claims that Patterson faced significant financial losses and health issues due to the airline’s failure to accommodate her allergy, stating that she either lost out on “substantial revenue” or required costly medical attention while working flights with pets.

Although some accommodations were introduced in 2021, Patterson argues they were inadequate and that her suggestions to mitigate her exposure were ignored.

She is seeking compensation for lost wages, benefits, and attorney fees due to the airline’s alleged negligence.

Click here to download our free news, weather and traffic app. And click here to subscribe to our daily 3 Big Things newsletter.