Illinois Firefighter Alleges Disability Discrimination

An Illinois firefighter who was terminated last April because of a chronic testicular pain condition, has filed suit in federal court under the American’s with Disabilities Act.

Ryan Williamson claims that the Pekin Fire Department refused to engage in an interactive process to find a reasonable accommodation for his condition. The department allegedly misstated the leave time Williamson had available to him on two occasions, causing him to have to reschedule surgery in order to meet the shorter time-frame.

Williamson claims that even when he was able the return with-in prescribed time-frames “24 days earlier than its second represented return date and 55 days shorter than the return date initially represented”, the department refused to clear him to return to work. He was terminated on April 10. 2013.

Williamson is seeking reinstatement, back wages, damages, costs and attorneys fees.

Here is a copy of the complaint. Williamson v Pekin