Tag Archives: disability

A Philadelphia battalion chief has filed suit against the city, IAFF Local 22, Local 22’s Health Plan, and Independent Blue Cross alleging gender discrimination by denying her “gender-affirming care and treatment.” The chief, identified in the complaint as Jane Doe, filed suit in US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

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A Colorado fire lieutenant who was terminated for failing to comply with requirements associated with his return to duty following a DUI, has filed suit alleging disability discrimination and retaliation. Anthony Falbo filed suit in federal court naming the Poudre Fire Authority and the Poudre Valley Fire Protection District as defendants.

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The North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services has agreed to grant accommodations to a deaf firefighter with a learning disability that will allow him to retake the EMT final exam. Austin Freidt, a volunteer firefighter with the Cornatzer-Dulin Volunteer Fire Department, filed suit in 2021 after having failed the exam “multiple times.”

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In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for July 3, 2023, Bill Maccarone and Curt discuss a court decision in the case of a Washington state firefighter who alleges disability discrimination because he cannot take his service dog to work; ...

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The US District Court for the Western District of Washington has ruled that a firefighter who sought an accommodation to have a service dog accompany him to work at the firehouse, must himself submit to a psychological exam to confirm his PTSD condition, but his dog need not submit to a service dog evaluation.

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The US District Court for the Northern District of New York has rejected the discrimination claims of an Albany fire captain who was denied a promotion to battalion chief due to an off-duty incident. Captain Jeremy Clawson claims the City of Albany rescinded a civil service promotion he earned in 2019, because of a disability and his race.

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A jury has awarded the family of a deceased Kansas City medic $100,000 for disability discrimination and retaliation. The medic died in 2018 from an overdose of prescription medication that the family contends was suicide brought on by workplace bullying.

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The dismissal of a Florida battalion chief has been upheld by a US District Court. BC William Valencia claims he was terminated by the Haines City Fire Department in retaliation for having sought workers comp for an injury, and that he was the victim of disability discrimination.

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A probationary firefighter with the Los Angeles County Fire Department who resigned after just ten months on the job due to stress and harassment, has filed suit against the county claiming disability discrimination. The suit was filed suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleging six counts of employment discrimination under state law.

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A lawsuit filed by a Los Angeles County firefighter challenging the COVID19 vaccine mandate as violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, has been dismissed. Marcia Wilson filed suit in April contending that she was being discriminated against on account of a perceived disability.

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An Illinois fire chief who was terminated in 2021 has filed suit claiming the fire district violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family Medical Leave Act. John R. Nixon served as fire chief for the Fox River and Countryside Fire Rescue District from 2016 til his dismissal on August 23, 2021.

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An Indianapolis firefighter who was terminated in 2020 for being absent without leave, has lost his federal court lawsuit. S.N. claimed the department violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and 42 U.S.C. § 1983, plus committed wrongful termination, negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligent supervision, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

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The Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court has ruled that a firefighter-recruit injured during training is entitled to the same disability compensation reserved for firefighters “injured in the performance of his or her duties.” The case involves a recruit with the Norwich Fire Department, Dennis Smith.

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A probationary firefighter who claims he was sexually harassed and denied an accommodation for his psychological conditions has filed suit alleging sexual harassment and disability discrimination. Johnathan Schaupp filed suit today in US District Court against the City of Casa Grande Fire Department

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