Washington State FD Settles Sex Discrimination Claims for $600k

Posted by: Curt Varone November 5, 2015 0

A Washington state firefighter has agreed to settle two sexual discrimination lawsuits she filed against her fire department and several officers for $600,000.

Andra Thompson claims that she had been subjected to a hostile work environment, sex discrimination, and retaliation during her 11 years with the Kennewick Fire Department. She agreed to settle her claims in exchange for $349,000 in back wages and damages, and $251,000 in attorneys fees.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement approved by the Kennewick City Council earlier this week, neither side admitted any wrongdoing and Thompson will resign effective November 15.

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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