Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone

Tag Archives: $1 million verdict

Jury Awards Lansing Firefighter $1 Million in Damages For Discrimination

A Lansing firefighter who filed a race discrimination suit in 2019, and a second discrimination suit in 2020 alleging retaliation and violation of his First Amendment rights, has been awarded $1 million in damages by a federal court jury. Michael Lynn Jr. filed the first suit after he discovered a banana placed between the windshield and the wiper of his assigned truck.

$1 Million Verdict For Racial Harassment and Retaliation Upheld

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has refused to overturn a $1 million jury verdict in favor of a black firefighter who claims he was harassed and retaliated against by the Montebello Fire Department. Vernon Creswell filed suit in 2013 claiming he had been the victim of race discrimination, racial harassment and retaliation while a firefighter in Montebello

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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