A WOMAN who sued airport staff for exposing her breasts and laughing during a patdown search has won a payout.

Lynsie Murley, 24, sued the Transportation Security Administration for negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress following the May 2008 incident.

Her lawyer Jerry McLaughlin said the payout was small but gave his client "some justice", the UK's Daily Mail reported.

Ms Murley said she was singled out for "extended search procedures" while preparing to board a plane to Amarillo, US.

“As the TSA agent was frisking plaintiff, the agent pulled the plaintiff’s blouse completely down, exposing plaintiffs’ breasts to everyone in the area,” the lawsuit said.

“As would be expected, plaintiff was extremely embarrassed and humiliated.”

The lawsuit claims that other employees laughed and made jokes about the incident "for an extended period of time".

“As would be expected, plaintiff was extremely embarrassed and humiliated.”