Florida Firefighter Sues City and Union Over Mandatory Medical Examination

A South Pasadena, Florida firefighter has filed suit against the City of South Pasadena and his labor union, alleging he was unlawfully ordered him to undergo a medical examination as a condition of continued employment, and then terminated in retaliation for complaining. Nathaniel Griffin filed suit against the city and IAFF Local 747, alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Florida Civil Rights Act.

The suit was filed October 10, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Quoting from the complaint:

• Article 6 of the CBA provides for a mandatory annual medical examination to determine fitness for duty for employees covered under the CBA.
• The Plaintiff informed the IAFF through their President, Richard E. Pauley Jr., that he objected to the IAFF’s negotiations and subsequent agreement to the breath and intrusive nature of the mandatory medical examinations.
• The Plaintiff throughout his employment with the Defendants voiced his objections to the breadth and intrusive nature of the mandatory medical examinations.
• The Plaintiff informed his supervisors of his position regarding the mandatory medical examinations including Fire Chief Mixson.
• The Defendants failed to articulate a “special need” for all medical testing which was performed.
• On August 12, 2022, the Plaintiff arrived for a re-scheduled mandatory medical examination at Life Scan Wellness Center.
• The Plaintiff completed all available portions of the medical examination which included tuberculin injection, ultrasonic imaging of the visceral organs and genitalia, medical questionnaire, vision/ auditory testing and physical fitness evaluation.
• On August 26, 2022, Fire Chief Mixson provided the Plaintiff with a Notice of Formal Investigation to be held on August 29, 2022, regarding the August 12, 2022, mandatory medical examination.
• The formal investigation was held on August 29, 2022.
• The Plaintiff attended the formal investigation and provided testimony and answered questions concerning what occurred at the August 12, 2022, mandatory medical evaluation.
• On September 7, 2022, Fire Chief Mixson provided Defendants’ Personnel Coordinator, Carley Lewis, a written memorandum regarding FF/Paramedic Griffin Conduct and Work Performance.
• Noted in the memorandum is that the Plaintiff was originally scheduled for August 2, 2022, mandatory medical examination which could not be conducted according to Chief Mixson because of the Plaintiff’s alleged objections to portions of the examination.
• The memorandum stated that the Plaintiff attended a rescheduled physical examination on August 12, 2022. Life Scan informed Chief Mixson that the Plaintiff completed and passed the physical examination.
• Chief Mixson stated in his memorandum that the Plaintiff’s behavior did not meet City standards, was insubordinate and significantly undermined public trust.
• Chief Mixson recommended termination of Plaintiff’s employment.
• The Plaintiff was asked if he wished to resign, which he declined on September 13, 2022.
• The Plaintiff’s employment with the Defendants was terminated on September 13, 2022.

He further alleges that the medical examination violated Title VII. Quoting from the complaint:

• At all material times, Plaintiff was an employee, and Defendants were his employer by and within the meaning of Title VII.
• The Plaintiff inquired about medical evaluations which were optional for female employees but were mandatory for male employees.
• The Plaintiff subsequently objected to the disparate practice.
• The Defendant subjected the Plaintiff to harassment and disparate treatment based upon his objections and sex in violation of the Title VII
• The Plaintiff’s sex was the motivating factor for the foregoing adverse actions including the unwarranted termination and negatively affected the terms, conditions and privileges of the Plaintiff’s employment in violation of Title VII
• Defendants acted negligently, recklessly and/ or maliciously by unfairly disciplining the Plaintiff and terminating the Plaintiff and adversely affecting the Plaintiff’s employment benefits based on his sex in violation of Title VII.

The final count of the complaint specifically targets IAFF Local 747, alleging that the union violated the ADA by negotiating and agreeing to mandatory annual medical examinations that discriminate against members.

The lawsuit seeks reinstatement, back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and injunctive relief prohibiting the City from requiring unlawful medical or psychological testing. Here is a copy of the complaint.