Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
Two New England cities are in the Fire Law news with settlements of sexual harassment claims resulting in large payouts to female firefighters. In Boston, attorneys for former firefighter Nathalie Fontanez announced that she has accepted a $3.2 million settlement of her sexual harassment and retaliation claims.
Fontanez claimed that she was ostracized by her colleagues after reporting sexually harassment. She also accused a colleague of sexually assaulting her in the firehouse. He ending up be convicted of criminal charges.
Boston.com quoted Fontanez’s attorney, Gloria Allred, as saying: “This result was obtained because of Nathalie’s courage in pursuing this case and her refusal to allow the city of Boston to get away with denying her legal rights to enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free of sexual harassment in the workplace, and retaliation against her for protesting it.”
More on the Boston settlement.
In Providence, a lawsuit filed by Rescue Captain Danielle Masse was settled on the eve of trial for $115,000. Captain Masse claimed she was retaliated against for testifying in support of an earlier lawsuit filed by another female firefighter, Rescue Lieutenant Lori Franchina.
Captain Masse was demoted following a disagreement with a Rhode Island State Trooper over the need to transport a patient to the hospital. An arbitrator later ruled the city was wrong to demote her.
WJAR TV quoted Captain Masse’s attorney, John Martin, as saying “I think Danielle Masse is one of several heroes in the PFD that have stepped up to fight on behalf of women’s rights at the PFD, and that she should be commended for her courage and personal sacrifices.” More on the Providence settlement.
