Tag Archives: race discrimination

New Jersey Firefighter Alleges Race Discrimination and Retaliation

A New Jersey firefighter is suing his department, the fire chief and a firefighter alleging violations of the state’s Conscientious Employee Protection Act due to race discrimination and retaliation. Michael Warren filed suit against the Hamilton Township, Fire Chief Christopher Tozzi and Ray Krajcsovics.

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Albany Prevails at Second Circuit in Discrimination Suit

An Albany fire captain who claims he wrongfully was denied a promotion to battalion chief following an off-duty incident, has lost his appeal to the US Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Captain Jeremy Clawson claims the City of Albany rescinded a civil service promotion he earned in 2019 on account of a disability and his race.

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Suit Alleges Discrimination Based on Position Designation

The Phoenix Fire Department is facing a lawsuit by a civilian employee who claims she was misclassified into a lower-paid position and denied a promotion, on account of her race. Melissa Green filed suit claiming she performed duties that qualified her for a “User Tech” position, but was paid as an “Administrative Aide.”

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Vermont Fire Department Sued Over Ketamine Injection

The mother of a 14-year-old boy with developmental disabilities has filed suit against the City of Burlington, Vermont accusing police and firefighters of racial bias, excessive force, and unnecessarily injecting her son with ketamine in an effort to subdue him in 2021. Cathy Austrian filed suit in Chittenden County Superior Court accusing the city of several state law violations.

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Fire Law Roundup for February 5, 2024

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for February 5, 2024, Brad and Curt discuss the settlement of two gender discrimination lawsuit by the Lincoln Fire Department in Nebraska; an appellate decision dismissing the claims of a kayaker injured during ...

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Oregon Firefighter Alleges Race Discrimination and Retaliation

A Portland firefighter has filed suit seeking $1.2 million in damages for the race discrimination and retaliation he endured. Jason Wilson filed suit Multnomah County Circuit Court claiming he was denied promotions, given unequal training opportunities, and harassed on account of his race; and retaliated against after he complained.

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NY Firefighter Sues City and Union for Discrimination

A Peekskill, New York firefighter of Middle-Eastern ancestry has filed suit against the city, the firefighters’ union, and the fire chief alleging race and ethnicity discrimination. Robert Pappas claims he was passed over three times for promotion to lieutenant, and when he complained he was retaliated against by being denied injured-on-duty status for a work-related injury.

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Topeka Captain Alleges Race, Disability and FMLA Discrimination

A Topeka, Kansas fire captain has filed suit alleging race and disability discrimination; retaliation; and a violation of the Family Medical Leave Act. Captain Brently Dorsey claims he was passed over for numerous promotions, denied the opportunity for reassignment to positions for which he was eligible for and was ultimately forced to take an early retirement in 2022.

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Fire Law Roundup for September 4, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for September 4, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a lawsuit filed by a volunteer firefighter with the Hawaii County Fire Department who was burned at a wildland fire in 2021; a suit filed ...

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Denver Prevails Again on Discrimination Claim

A probationary firefighter who was injured in each of three fire academies, and found to be medically unable to return to duty to complete her probationary period, has lost her race, gender, and disability discrimination lawsuit against the Denver Fire Department.

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