Tag Archives: disability

Chicago Fire Discrimination Suit to Proceed

In a ruling handed down yesterday, the City of Chicago was successful in getting part of a sexual discrimination suit brought against the fire department dismissed, but the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois has ruled that a female fire-paramedic candidate who filed an earlier suit in 2016 will be allow to pursue certain of her claims in a second suit filed last year.

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Court Rules No Duty To Create Light Duty Position for Injured Battalion Chief

An Alabama battalion chief who was unable to return to full duty after a motor vehicle accident and a separate work-related injury, has lost his federal court lawsuit alleging the city discriminated against him. BC Jay Hawthorne filed suit last year against the City of Prattville, claiming the city ’s failure to accommodate his light duty needs constituted both disability and age discrimination.

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California Fire Chief Sues for Wrongful Termination

A California fire chief who was terminated last year has filed suit alleging wrongful termination and an assortment of employment related counts. Larry Whithorn, who was promoted to fire chief in West Covina in December, 2014, was terminated by the city on April 22, 2019.

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Court Rules FDNY Must Accommodate Facial Hair Despite OSHA

A federal judge has ruled that FDNY must reinstate an accommodation granted to African American firefighters suffering from Pseudofolliculitis Barbae that permits facial hair in the chin, cheek and neck area provided it does not cause leakage around the mask's seal. The firefighters filed suit in 2018 alleging race and disability discrimination.

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Minneapolis Settles Sneaker Discrimination Suit for $785k

The city of Minneapolis has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by a former firefighter over the city’s refusal to allow him to wear sneakers on duty for medical reasons. FF Keith Daniel injured his ankle while on duty back in 2011. The injury required surgery to repair a torn ligament.

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Hawaii Firefighter Loses Stress Related Discrimination Suit

A lieutenant who was initially demoted and then fired due to his inability to function under stress, has lost his lawsuit claiming disability discrimination. Randy L. Baab, a firefighter at the Pacific Missile Range Facility, claims he developed a stress related disability in 2014 after an assistant chief “yelled at” him during a training exercise.

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NH Firefighter Alleges Age and Disability Discrimination

A former firefighter in New Hampshire is suing his company officer and his fire department accusing both of age discrimination, disability discrimination and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Benjamin P. Noyes filed suit law week against the City of Dover.

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RI Supreme Court Reverses Denial Of Disability Pension

The Rhode Island Supreme Court has reversed a decision by the City of Providence’s Retirement Board that denied a disability pension to Rescue Captain Michael Morse. Mike, who is a well known author and blogger, injured his back in 2012 while lifting a patient.

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